NHL suspends Maple Leafs’ Kadri four games for hit on Oilers’ Fraser

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The NHL has given Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri a four-game suspension for his hit to the head of Edmonton’s Matt Fraser.

Kadri, who voiced his displeasure at the severity of the ban at Toronto’s practice on Wednesday, will forfeit US$141,463.40 in salary.

“I’m not happy about it, but what are you going to do at this point? Obviously it wasn’t my intent to injure the player and I hope he’s doing all right,” Kadri told reporters.

The incident occurred in the Oilers’ 4-1 home victory over Toronto on Monday. 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.

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.

The incident occurred in Kadri’s second game back after a team-issued three-game suspension for off-ice behaviour.