Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron was suspended six games Monday for his clumsy defense of captain Dylan Larkin.
The Quebec veteran was expected to receive an exemplary punishment from the National Hockey League (NHL) player safety department because he was invited to explain himself in person via video conference.
• Also read: Dylan Larkin from the Senators injured: Bad luck, replies Mathieu Joseph
• Also read: WATCH: Perron was sent off for attempted injury after defending Larkin
Early in Saturday's game against the Ottawa Senators, Larkin collapsed to the ground after contact with Mathieu Joseph and Parker Kelly. In the middle of the action, Perron saw red and attacked defender Artem Zub. The NHL ruled that he checked the Russian's head again with the intention of causing an injury.
Immediately after his dangerous gesture, the Wings player was chased out of the game by the referees and his team had to accept a five-minute penalty.
On Monday, Joseph weighed in on the matter, saying Larkin was a victim of bad luck. For Perron, however, he was more categorical.
“I don’t think anyone really knew what was going on. Obviously it was pretty high control, to be honest. The league will take matters into its own hands. “I’m just happy that Zub is doing well,” said the Chambly native.
At least a week
Perron will be out minimally until the Dec. 22 game against the Philadelphia Flyers, but Larkin could also be sidelined for a while.
“Dylan is going on the injured list. “We don’t have a duration, but it will keep him out for at least a week,” head coach Derek Lalonde said Monday. I believe we will know more with time. I think after seeing him unconscious — a lot of things go through our minds, including his story — it was positive to see him come off the ice with help and not on a stretcher.”
“It's unfortunate to lose a player of this caliber for an extended period of time,” the Pilot added of the captain, who has 25 points in 24 games this season.
Due to the loss of Larkin, as well as JT Compher and Klim Kostin due to injury, the Wings had to turn to the American League for several emergency recalls. Zach Aston-Reese, Jonatan Berggren and Austin Czarnik, three forwards with experience in the Bettman circuit, traveled to Grand Rapids.