The NHL handed Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nikita Nesterov a two-game suspension for a hit from behind on Curtis McKenzie of the Dallas Stars from Thursday’s game.
You can see the league explanation and video of the hit above. It’s the first suspension of Nesterov’s young career.
McKenzie was hospitalized after that hit, and the Stars placed him on IR today. Radek Faksa was called up from the AHL in his absence.
The suspension will cost Nesterov $7,983.88.
The Lightning were already making moves in advance of Nesterov’s suspension and Victor Hedman’s possible absence, bringing up Slater Koekkoek.
This is Nesterov’s first suspension, but he hasn’t logged much NHL time, as one might note.
How much of an unknown is Nesterov? He's referred to as a forward in the suspension video :-)
— Lightning Insider (@Erik_Erlendsson) October 16, 2015