NHL: No disciplinary hearing for Wild’s Coyle after Stajan hit

Minnesota rookie Charlie Coyle won’t face a disciplinary hearing for his hit Tuesday night on Calgary’s Matt Stajan, according to an NHL spokesman.

Coyle, 20, was given a five-minute elbowing major for this hit late in the second frame:

Stajan didn’t return for the remainder of the period, but did come back to play 5:49 in the third and 27 seconds in overtime.

On Wednesday, Stajan told reporters he passed concussion tests, but was still experiencing jaw and neck pain from the hit.

"[Coyle] obviously came right at my head,” Stajan told the Calgary Sun. “I’m pretty sure that’s what they’re trying to get out of this league.”

Coyle’s hit garnered the following reactions on Twitter:

For what it’s worth, I think NHL needed to suspend Coyle for hit to Stajan’s head. Looked like a direct shot to his chin to me.

— Wes Gilbertson (@SUNGilbertson) February 27, 2013

If Charlie Coyle is not suspended for his headshot to Matt Stajan, the NHL’s department of player safety should cease operations.

— Ken Campbell (@THNKenCampbell) February 27, 2013

Hit by Coyle on Stajan should be a suspension - late & he lunged upward into the jaw. “Finishing the check” is a late, dirty hit.

— Randy Sportak (@SUNRandySportak) February 27, 2013

#Wild Coyle’s 5 min elbow pen on #Flames Stajan late 2nd per more #NHL rule 48 illegal check to head. Either way league’s calling.

— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) February 27, 2013

Coyle has no previous record of supplemental discipline, though that designation doesn’t mean much given he’s only played seven career NHL games.