Breaking: NHL suspends Predators forward Forsberg

The NHL has suspended Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg three games for his dangerous hit on New York Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey.

In case you missed it, here’s the play in question:

In its video explanation of the suspension, NHL Player Safety classified the play as a “high, forceful hit… that makes substantial head contact” delivered well outside “the allowable window to deliver a check”.

Officially Forsberg will be dinged his three games for “interference”, as it was deemed that he took a run at Vesey despite Vesey not having the puck. 

What’s your take on this? It’s clear that Forsberg runs interference on Vesey, but… a three game suspension for interference? Seems a bit harsh. 

In any case, it’s encouraging to see NHL Player Safety erring on the side of caution with regards to dangerous hits like this. While three games may be a harsh penalty, hopefully it serves to set a precedent for dangerous plays in the future. But then again… we’re talking about NHL Player Safety here, they’re not exactly a consistent group.