The NHL will have a hearing with New York Rangers defenseman John Moore for his hit on Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun.
TVA’s Renaud Lavoie notes that it hasn’t been determined if Moore will receive an in-person or telephone meeting just yet, so the ceiling on his punishment hasn’t been determined yet.
Update:NY Rangers’ John Moore has been offered an in-person hearing for an illegal check to the head of Minnesota’s Erik Haula. Date and time TBD.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 28, 2014
Here are two videos of the check from Monday:
Live:
Replays:
Haula, 23, didn’t return during last night’s game. It could be some time before we receive an update on his condition, as the Wild don’t have a morning skate planned today.
The NHL already suspended Moore (also 23) once before. He sat out two 2014 playoff games for this hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise:
(Some will note that the hits are similar.)
The Rangers don’t play again until Nov. 1, so the league has some time to mull things over. Perhaps an update regarding Haula’s status may affect the decision (or the severity of a possible punishment)?