The Toronto Maple Leafs have had more players suspended than any other NHL team this season, and they could lose top-line winger Joffrey Lupul for a few games after he crosschecked Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves during the 2014 NHL Winter Classic on Wednesday.
The league’s department of player safety announced that Lupul has a Friday hearing to discuss the play. The maximum amount of games the 30-year-old winger can be suspended is five because his hearing is via telephone.
The incident occurred in the first period when Lupul crosschecked Eaves in the head. The Leafs forward was given a two-minute penalty.
Lupul was suspended two games for an illegal check to the head back in March, making him a repeat offender under the terms of the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement.
