Calgary’s Nikita Zadorov avoids suspension after disciplinary hearing

The NHL Department of Player Safety has decided not to suspend Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov on Saturday, after he made an illegal check to the head during Game 6 against the Dallas Stars.

The hit occurred early in the second period when Zadorov stepped up and hit Stars center Luke Glendening as he was exiting the zone. Zadorov made significant contact with Glendening’s head, and Glendening needed help off the ice as a result. Stars head coach Rick Bowness confirmed after the game that Glendening was in concussion protocol.

“It was a hockey play,” said Flames head coach Darryl Sutter, “I totally disagree there should be a hearing considering there’s been slew-foots in this series.”

Zadorov had just four goals and 22 points in 74 games with the Flames this season, and has two assists so far in these playoffs. Zadorov has mostly just been a bottom pair defenseman for the Flames this season, and has been a steady option in the rotation in this series, especially since the Flames have gone with seven defensemen for most of this series. He’s been their best option outside of the top four, with his 60.54% 5v5 CF% leading all Flames defensemen, and his 55.31% 5v5 xGF% putting him in fifth.

A player having a hearing with the DoPS that doesn’t result in a suspension isn’t very common. The last time such a thing happened was in 2020 when Charlie Lindgren of the New York Rangers made a hit to the head of Joonas Donskoi of the Colorado Avalanche. The last time before that was back in 2015 when Dustin Byfuglien of the Winnipeg Jets went up high on Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens.