The NHL's Department of Player Safety has released a strange ruling after a hearing for Ryan Lindgren of the New York Rangers after what appeared to be a high hit on Colorado's Joonas Donskoi. Here's the official ruling:
"After thoroughly reviewing all available video and following a telephone hearing today, the Department of Player Safety has determined that there will be no supplemental discipline assessed to NY Rangers' Ryan Lindgren for his hit against Colorado's Joonas Donskoi. While there was significant head contact on this play, Lindgren took a proper angle of approach, did not extend outward or upward and hit through Donskoi's core. Therefore, under Rule 48.1 (i), the head contact was determined to be unavoidable."
The fact that Lindgren will receive no supplemental discipline for the hit makes one wonder what the purpose of the hearing was in the first place. This is something the Department of Player Safety could have determined without Lindgren being present or announcing that a hearing would be taking place. DPS had already called the hit "illegal" when announcing the hearing.
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The hit, which led to a fight between Lindgren and Nazem Kadri can be seen below. There's be no update on the status of Donskoi.
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