Maple Leafs’ Kadri to have hearing with NHL for head shot on Oilers’ Fraser

TORONTO – Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri will have a hearing with the NHL’s department of player safety to discuss his hit to the head of Edmonton’s Matt Fraser.

Kadri skated by Fraser behind Toronto’s net and hit the Oilers forward in the head with his left shoulder. Fraser left the game, and Kadri was given a two-minute minor penalty.

“I felt like I kind of tried to just squeeze by him there but then again things happen quick,” Kadri said Monday night in Edmonton. “I obviously didn’t mean to hurt him. I don’t consider myself a dirty player. I felt like my hands were down.”

Kadri is a repeat offender under the league’s CBA as he was suspended three games last season for a hit to the head of Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom.

His hearing is by phone, which means any potential suspension would be five games or fewer.

Kadri, 24, said he was “maybe a little bit” worried about further discipline but that he was planning to continue working in practice.

Monday’s game, a 4-1 loss, was Kadri’s second back after a team-issued three-game suspension for off-ice behaviour.

The Leafs are off Tuesday and practise Wednesday before facing the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night.