Around the NHL: March 19
It was a big week for injuries and sub-par teams having scandals in the league.
As teams look for a playoff push, here’s the biggest news from around the NHL.
Andrei Svechnikov Out for Carolina
The Carolina Hurricanes announced that Andrei Svechnikov will be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Svechnikov was injured in non-contact play against the Vegas Golden Knights on March 11 and, while he returned to play in that game, did not play after that.
He will need reconstructive surgery on his right ACL.
Svechnikov is currently third on the team in goals, assists and points.
The Hurricanes are currently 45-15-8 and are in first place in the Metropolitan Division.
Nick Suzuki Fined for Cross-Check
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki has been fined $2,500 for cross-checking.
Suzuki cross-checked Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell in the back on March 16.
The Canadiens are currently 27-37-6 and are in eighth place in the Atlantic Division.
Jordan Binnington Suspended for Roughing and Unsportsmanlike Conduct
In what might be the biggest scuffle of the NHL season thus far, St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington has been suspended for two games without pay for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct against Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman.
The incident took place on March 15 during the second period. Hartman scored on a power play and tripped over Binnington’s leg (Binnington was out of the crease at this point). Just as the camera zooms in on the Minnesota celebration, Binnington skates over and punches Hartman, which gets everybody involved.
Binnington was assessed a match penalty and left the game. He will be fined $64,864.86, which will go to the Player’s Emergency Assistance Fund.
The Blues are currently 30-33-5 and are in sixth place in the Central Division.
Flyers Fire Chuck Fletcher
The Philadelphia Flyers fired Chuck Fletcher, their general manager and president of hockey operations, on March 10.
The Flyers are 25-32-12 and are seventh in the Metro, just 11 points in front of the already-eliminated Columbus Blue Jackets.
Former Flyer Daniel Briere was named to Fletcher’s position, but his family has been under fire since a video surfaced of his son, Carson, pushing a wheelchair down a flight of stairs.
It seems no matter what they do, the Flyers just can’t get it right.
The Flyers are currently 25-32-12 and are in seventh place in the Metro Division.
Draft Lottery Date Announced
The NHL announced that it plans to hold the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery on May 9 from Secaucus, New Jersey.
The show will run for 30 minutes and will determine the order of selection for the first 16 picks in the draft. The teams that qualify will either not be eligible for the playoffs or have acquired the first-round pick from a non-playoff team.
Adrianna Gallucci is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.
