The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has decided not to suspend ‘Canes forward Brad Malone for his hit on Jackets forward Nick Foligno.
Here’s what the NHL had to say:
“Foligno carries the puck into the offensive zone on a Columbus rush. As Malone backchecks through the middle, Foligno attempts to pass to a teammate that is directed behind the net. Immediately after Foligno moves the puck, Malone delivers a hard check to Foligno’s upper body, sending Foligno to the ice.
“While this hit is forceful and delivered from the blindside, this hit doesn’t violate any NHL rule. The hit is delivered immediately after Foligno moves the puck, well within the acceptable time frame to deliver a body check. Malone also keeps his elbow tucked and his skates on the ice in delivering this hit.”
As for Foligno, he’s out indefinitely because of the hit.
The Jackets placed him on injured reserve with an upper-body injury earlier today.