NHL suspends Canucks’ Kassian five games for hit that broke Gagner’s jaw

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The NHL has suspended Vancouver Canucks forward Zack Kassian for five regular-season games and the rest of pre-season for a hit that broke the jaw of Edmonton forward Sam Gagner.

Kassian collided with Gagner along the boards in the second period of the Oilers’ 5-2 home exhibition win over Vancouver on Saturday. Kassian’s stick struck Gagner’s face, knocking out several of the Edmonton forward’s teeth.

Gagner will miss the start of the regular season with the injury. The team said he is out indefinitely.

Kassian received a double-minor for high-sticking on the play.

The NHL also suspended Canucks’ forward Dale Weise for Vancouver’s final three pre-season games for an illegal check to the head of Oilers’ forward Taylor Hall in the same game.

Weise’s incident occurred early in the first period. He was assessed a minor penalty on the play for illegal check to the head.

Hall remained in the game and showed no apparent injury.