The NHL handed a two-game suspension to Los Angeles Kings winger Jordan Nolan for his boarding hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm from Thursday.
Update: the league released an explanation video, noting that Nolan “forcefully” boarded Helm, who was not eligible to be hit:
Helm stayed in that game, which probably helped Nolan, 25, avoid a longer punishment. The Kings forward received a one-game suspension back in March, so the league considered him a repeat offender.
Here’s how it will impact his wallet:
Nolan is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, will forfeit $17,073.18. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
LA Kings Insider’s Jon Rosen caught up with Nolan, who isn’t pleased with the decision:
Nolan "disappointed and shocked" but understands, accepts league's decision...
— LA Kings Insider (@lakingsinsider) November 2, 2014
Nolan, on hit: "His feet were pointed up the ice and I thought he was close enough to the boards where he wasn't going to go in awkwardly."
— LA Kings Insider (@lakingsinsider) November 2, 2014