NHL Player Safety issues ruling on Matthew Tkachuk hit.

Fans in Tampa Bay are not going to like this decision from the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety but I do understand the league's perspective on this one.

On Saturday, Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk delivered what was unquestionably a late hit to Lightning forward Jake Guentzel in Game 3 of the Battle of Florida between the Panthers and Lightning. Tkachuk was called for a penalty on the play and after review it was determined to be a 5 minute major, effectively knocking Tkachuk out of the game with exactly 5 minutes left to go on the clock.

Here's a look at the hit:

There were many fans in Tampa Bay who felt that Tkachuk should receive further discipline for this hit given the lopsided score in the game at the time of the incident, and in light of the recent suspension to Lightning forward Brandon Hagel, but unfortunately for those fans that won't be the case.

On Sunday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that the NHL's Department of Player Safety had decided not to seek further discipline for Tkachuk, citing 3 key factors in that decision. They are as follows:

Force of hit not considered at level of Hagel/Barkov
No head contact
Guentzel touched puck

While all of these are true I don't think that will do anything to assuage the anger that some fans will be feeling after hearing that Tkachuk will not be suspended for his hit on Guentzel.

Did the league make the right call here? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.