Montreal head coach Claude Julien didn't hold back when asked about Nikita Zadorov's hit that knocked the Habs Jesperi Kotkaniemi out of the game against Colorado Thursday night. He said he didn't like the hit, adding it was dirty.
"(Zadorov's) leg went up and he used his upper body to flip him, and to me, that's a dirty hit," Julien said in his post-game gathering with the media.
"I don't know how the league is going to see it, that's up to them to look at it. But when I talk to our people, to upper management and all that stuff, we seem to think that's definitely a suspendable move on his part ... it's a dangerous play."
Julien also confirmed that Kotkaniemi will not be traveling with the team to New York to take on the Rangers Friday night. According to Arpon Basu, who covers the Habs for The Athletic, Kotkaniemi sustained a concussion, but avoided any bodily injuries. The potential was certainly there, given how awkward his fall to the ice looked.
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Unfortunately for Kotkaniemi, he already missed seven games this year due to injury and hasn't really found his scoring touch since his return. The 19-year-old has just three goals and five points in 22 games this season.
There's been nothing from the NHL's Department of Player Safety on any potential supplementary discipline for Zadorov. He was not penalized on the play. You can see the hit below.
