Flames' Rasmus Andersson suspended 4 games for hit on Patrick Laine

The NHL suspended Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson four games for a hit on Patrick Laine late in Friday's contest with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the league announced Saturday.

Anderson was awarded a five-minute elbow major as the final bell rang after he brutally took out Lane. The NHL's Department of Player Safety says in an explanatory video that Andersson was “triggered” for a high, hard check, and that Andersson made “significant” contact with Lane's head when he connected his elbow.

On Sunday, the NHLPA announced it would appeal the suspension on Andersson's behalf.

After the game, Johnny Gaudreau described the hit as “unnecessary”, while Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent believed it was a hit to the head and that Andersson had left his leg.

It marks the first NHL suspension for the 26-year-old Andersson, who has also been fined earlier in his career. Lane, 25, is considered day-to-day and did not attend the Blue Jackets' game against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.

Can the NHL avoid dirty hits in already decided games?

Andersson's uppercut (often described as a launch) has been mentioned several times in league commentary. They also accepted Andersson's explanation that Lane's head was down, noting that although the winger was positioned that way, Andersson was not lowered during the shot.

One of the most important parts of the league's explanation for Andersson's four-game suspension is showing the context of the hit. The incident happened in the final moments of the Blue Jackets' 3-1 win on Friday, so the foul and major penalty meant nothing. This context also shows how unnecessary the punch is, especially given the force involved.

Although the NHL automatically suspends a player who fights in the final five minutes of a game (especially when Darnell Nurse was involved in a recent playoff game), players can sometimes be trusted to “go about their own business” with questionable shots. observation is already impossible.

One example was when they delivered Tyler Myers in 2021 borderline best In garbage time of the game, Joel hit the Army.

If Andersson's four-game suspension makes players think twice about delivering dirty hits late in the game, it would be a great sign for a league that hasn't always gotten the extra discipline right.