Fansided

Dustin Byfuglien will not face discipline for hit (Video)

By Dave Stevenson

Feb 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) during the second period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) during the second period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien will not face any supplemental discipline for hitting Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher in the head.

The NHL Department of Player Safety has announced that they will not suspend Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien for his hit to the head of Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher. Here is a GIF of the infraction.

Byfuglien has been warned three times already in the 2015 NHL season according to TSN Insider Darren Dreger. He was suspended for four games in April of 2015 for cross checking New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller. He could have been suspended for sucker punching Corey Perry in the playoffs, but faced no supplemental discipline.

The 30-year-old defenseman has played in 11 seasons in the NHL. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks. His tenure with the Blackhawks ended after they won the Stanley Cup in 2010. Until he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers, he was primarily used as a forward. The Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) helped convert him into a defenseman. In 609 career NHL games, he has 350 points. He has scored 135 goals and has 215 assists. He has 695 career penalty minutes.

Byfuglien has six points through his first 12 games. The Jets are currently pushing for a playoff spot and square off against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Here’s an explanation for the Department of Player’s Safety about the decision.

The reason that Dustin Byfuglien was not suspended because Byfuglien was racing Gallagher to the puck. Gallagher did not brace himself for impact while Byfuglien did. Byfuglien made a clear effort to play the puck as opposed to hitting Gallagher. Most importantly, Gallagher’s head was not the target of Byfuglien’s hit.

It’s interesting that the NHL chose to not suspend Byfuglien because the NHL just handed out a two-game suspension to Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone for a fairly similar play. Unlike Byfuglien, Stone had no prior history.

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