Anaheim Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger was suspended for one game by the NHL on Wednesday for his hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom the previous night.
Pronger, a former Norris Trophy winner and a finalist for the award this year, will miss Game 4 of the Ducks-Red Wings series tonight in Anaheim. He leads the Ducks with 12 points, including three goals, during the playoffs.
“We disagree completely with (NHL disciplinarian) Colin Campbell’s decision here. But we respect the process,” Ducks general manager Brian Burke said. “If you watch some of the other views, it looks like a dangerous, high hit. If you look at the end zone view, I think it shows best that Chris Pronger went to hit Tomas Holmstrom at a 45-degree angle from the boards.
“At no point is Chris delivering a hit toward the boards, a dangerous hit. He’s coming in to finish a check at a 45-degree angle. Rob Niedermayer steps into the player (Holmstrom), pins him, you get a high finish.”
Holmstrom had two goals and an assist in the Red Wings’ 5-0 win Tuesday. He had to leave the game midway through the second period to get 13 stitches to close two cuts on his forehead after Pronger and Niedermayer almost simultaneously slammed into him.
Niedermayer drew a major penalty for boarding and was ejected, but Pronger was not assessed a penalty on the play. The NHL reviewed the play Wednesday, Pronger spoke to the league on the phone and the decision was made to suspend him because of a blow to Holmstrom’s head.
Blackhawks: First-round draft pick Jonathan Toews, a center from North Dakota, signed a three-year contract.
Lightning: Tampa Bay re-signed center Andreas Karlsson to a one-year contract.
Capitals: Washington agreed to terms with Swedish center Nicklas Backstrom, the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s draft.
Blue Jackets: Columbus traded defenseman Adam McQuaid to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round pick in next month’s NHL draft.
