NHL drops the hammer on Colorado Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri for injuring Justin Faulk

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety is finally making a statement when it matters most.

Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri got an in-person hearing for his violent check to the head of St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk. In the end, Kadri didn’t really have much of a case, as he’s a repeat offender and he received a five-minute major plus match penalty for the hit via the officials on the ice. It was a no-brainer, and the Department of Player Safety acted as such.

Kadri has been suspended eight games by the NHL.

The Blues were adamant that Kadri deserves severe punishment after Game 2.

“That’s a very dangerous hit. It’s gotta be a suspension,” Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly said. “He’s a repeat offender. It’s completely uncalled for. That’s awful to see.”

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Nazem Kadri gets worthwhile punishment

The NHL hasn’t always done a great job protecting its star players, instead allowing enforcers to rule the league on their watch. Toughness will always be a part of professional hockey, but it should not come at the loss of true skill.

Kadri, clearly, has an issue with this sort of thing.

“The guy can’t control himself,” Blues center Brayden Schenn said. “In the playoffs, he’s a repeat offender. Bad hits, greasy hits — he had a guy in a vulnerable position and he picked nothing but the head.”

Case closed. Kadri will have to watch the Avs from home like the rest of us.