Nazem Kadri’s difficult season might have just hit rock bottom.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward was suspended four games for a hit to the head of Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Fraser, according to multiple reports. The suspension will cost Kadri more than $141,000.
Here’s the hit from Monday’s Leafs-Oilers game.
The crushing hit, which appeared to target Fraser’s head, resulted in a concussion for the Edmonton winger. However, Kadri insisted at the time that he wasn’t targeting Fraser’s head.
“He was just kind of bent over a little bit, and I felt like I was just trying to squeeze by him, but then again, things happen quick. I didn’t mean to hurt him,” Kadri told reporters, according to Sportsnet.
Kadri received just a 2-minute minor for an illegal check to the head.
Kadri also was a repeat offender. He was suspended three games in 2013 for interference on Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom.
Thumbnail photo via James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports Images
