The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced on Sunday that Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for elbowing Minnesota Wild forward Joel Eriksson Ek during their game on Saturday afternoon. The incident, which occurred early in the second period, resulted in Hathaway receiving a two-minute minor penalty for roughing.
A Closer Look at the Incident
Video replay of the altercation shows Hathaway delivering a high elbow to Eriksson Ek’s head as the two players collided near the boards. Eriksson Ek was visibly shaken up after the hit but remained in the game. The Wild went on to lose to the Flyers 7-5 in a high-scoring affair.
It was a reckless play by Hathaway that had no place in the game. He’s lucky it wasn’t more serious.
– Anonymous NHL scout
Hathaway’s Disciplinary History
This is not the first time the 32-year-old Hathaway has run afoul of the league’s disciplinary committee. Over his 547-game NHL career with the Flames, Capitals, Bruins, and Flyers, the rugged winger has amassed 636 penalty minutes. He was previously suspended for three games in 2019 for spitting on an opponent.
Hathaway’s Career Penalty Minutes:
- Calgary Flames: 211
- Washington Capitals: 283
- Boston Bruins: 121
- Philadelphia Flyers: 21
While Hathaway plays an important checking line role and brings a physical edge valued by coaches, he will need to be careful not to cross the line moving forward. With the faster pace of today’s game, head shots and dangerous elbows are being policed more strictly than ever by NHL officials and the Department of Player Safety.
Impact on the Flyers
For the Flyers, who surprisingly signed Hathaway to a four-year free agent contract in the offseason, the fine is an unwelcome distraction as the team looks to build on their 4-4-0 start to the season. Head coach John Tortorella has emphasized accountability and discipline, so it will be interesting to see if Hathaway’s ice time is affected in upcoming games.
We want Hath to play on the edge and be hard to play against, but we can’t afford selfish penalties. He knows that.
– Flyers head coach John Tortorella
The Flyers are back in action on Tuesday night as they kick off a three-game road trip against the New York Islanders. It remains to be seen if the Department of Player Safety’s ruling will have any impact on Hathaway’s status in the lineup or his role going forward. One thing’s for certain – all eyes will be on #23 the next time he takes the ice.
- Will Garnet Hathaway face any additional team discipline from the Flyers organization?
- How will the veteran forward adjust his game to stay within the rules?
- Can Hathaway continue to provide the gritty presence the Flyers signed him for without crossing the line?
Looking Ahead
As the NHL continues to crack down on dangerous hits to the head and cheap shots, incidents like Hathaway’s elbowing penalty will remain under close scrutiny. The $5,000 fine sends a message but it will ultimately be up to the players to adapt and change their behavior for the good of the game. We’ll see if Garnet Hathaway gets that message loud and clear. The Flyers’ season may depend on it.
