In a decisive move, the NHL Department of Player Safety has suspended Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot for three games following an illegal check to the head of Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser. The incident, which occurred during the first period of Thursday night’s game at Staples Center, has sparked intense debate among fans and pundits alike.
A Controversial Hit Sparks Outrage
The play in question unfolded at the 10:44 mark of the opening frame, as Boeser was passing the puck near the red line. Jeannot, cutting across the front of Boeser’s body, delivered a high hit with his right shoulder that caught the Canucks star directly in the head. The force of the impact sent Boeser crumpling to the ice, while officials immediately signaled for a penalty.
Reacting to the severity of the collision, referee TJ Luxmore assessed Jeannot a match penalty, ejecting him from the game. The call drew a mixed response from the Staples Center crowd, with some fans arguing that Jeannot’s actions warranted the punishment, while others felt it was an unfortunate hockey play gone wrong.
“For the refs to call five minutes, obviously a dangerous hit,” remarked Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes after the game, expressing his displeasure with Jeannot’s reckless play.
NHL Rules on Illegal Check to the Head
In reviewing the incident, the NHL determined that Jeannot’s hit met two key criteria for an illegal check to the head. First, the head was the main point of contact, even though there was some contact with Boeser’s body. Second, while Boeser was eligible to be hit, Jeannot took an angle of approach that made head contact unavoidable.
According to Rule 48.1 of the NHL rulebook, “a hit resulting in contact with an opponent’s head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable is not permitted.” The league has been cracking down on such hits in recent years, aiming to reduce the incidence of concussions and other head injuries.
Jeannot’s Disciplinary History and Fine
Interestingly, this is not Jeannot’s first brush with the NHL’s disciplinary system. Back in March 2022, while still a member of the Nashville Predators, he was fined $2,000 for kneeing Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk. The relatively light punishment then suggests that the league views this latest incident as a more serious offense.
As a result of the three-game suspension, Jeannot will forfeit $41,640.63 in salary, with the money going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. The Kings forward currently leads the NHL with 36 penalty minutes, a dubious distinction that reflects his aggressive and sometimes reckless style of play.
Impact on Kings and Canucks
For the Kings, losing Jeannot for three games is a significant blow. The rugged winger, acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the offseason, has been a physical presence on the ice, even if his offensive contributions have been limited to just one goal and one assist in 15 games. His absence will force head coach Todd McLellan to shuffle his lines and find a way to maintain the team’s gritty identity.
The Canucks, meanwhile, will be holding their breath as they await further updates on Boeser’s condition. The 25-year-old sniper is tied for second on the team in scoring with 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 12 games, and his loss for any significant period of time would be a harsh setback for a club already struggling to find consistency.
The Bigger Picture: Player Safety in the NHL
Beyond the immediate impact on the Kings and Canucks, the Jeannot suspension is yet another reminder of the ongoing challenge of player safety in the NHL. As the league continues to grapple with the long-term effects of concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), incidents like this one underscore the need for vigilance and strict enforcement of rules designed to protect players.
“It’s a fast game, and things happen quickly out there,” a league source acknowledged. “But there’s no excuse for hits to the head. Players need to be responsible for their actions and understand the consequences.”
While some argue that hitting is an integral part of hockey and that the risk of injury is simply part of the game, others contend that more needs to be done to prioritize player health and well-being. Jeannot’s suspension, while a step in the right direction, is unlikely to quell the debate anytime soon.
Looking Ahead: Lessons Learned and Changes Needed
As the Kings and Canucks move forward from this incident, both teams will undoubtedly be reflecting on what transpired and what, if anything, could have been done differently. For Jeannot, the suspension serves as a harsh reminder of the need to play within the rules and respect his opponents’ safety. For Boeser and the Canucks, it’s a frustrating setback that underscores the fragility of a player’s health in a contact sport like hockey.
More broadly, the NHL will likely face renewed scrutiny over its handling of head injuries and its efforts to create a safer environment for players. While progress has been made in recent years, incidents like the Jeannot hit serve as a stark reminder that there is still much work to be done.
As fans, pundits, and stakeholders continue to debate the balance between physicality and safety in hockey, one thing remains clear: the well-being of the players must always come first. Whether through rule changes, enhanced education and awareness, or stricter enforcement of existing regulations, the NHL has a responsibility to protect its most valuable asset – the athletes who give their all on the ice each and every night.
Only by prioritizing player safety and taking a hard stand against dangerous plays like Jeannot’s hit on Boeser can the league hope to build a sustainable future for the sport and its participants. The road ahead may be challenging, but the stakes – the health and livelihoods of the players themselves – could not be higher.
Interestingly, this is not Jeannot’s first brush with the NHL’s disciplinary system. Back in March 2022, while still a member of the Nashville Predators, he was fined $2,000 for kneeing Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk. The relatively light punishment then suggests that the league views this latest incident as a more serious offense.
As a result of the three-game suspension, Jeannot will forfeit $41,640.63 in salary, with the money going to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. The Kings forward currently leads the NHL with 36 penalty minutes, a dubious distinction that reflects his aggressive and sometimes reckless style of play.
Impact on Kings and Canucks
For the Kings, losing Jeannot for three games is a significant blow. The rugged winger, acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the offseason, has been a physical presence on the ice, even if his offensive contributions have been limited to just one goal and one assist in 15 games. His absence will force head coach Todd McLellan to shuffle his lines and find a way to maintain the team’s gritty identity.
The Canucks, meanwhile, will be holding their breath as they await further updates on Boeser’s condition. The 25-year-old sniper is tied for second on the team in scoring with 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 12 games, and his loss for any significant period of time would be a harsh setback for a club already struggling to find consistency.
The Bigger Picture: Player Safety in the NHL
Beyond the immediate impact on the Kings and Canucks, the Jeannot suspension is yet another reminder of the ongoing challenge of player safety in the NHL. As the league continues to grapple with the long-term effects of concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), incidents like this one underscore the need for vigilance and strict enforcement of rules designed to protect players.
“It’s a fast game, and things happen quickly out there,” a league source acknowledged. “But there’s no excuse for hits to the head. Players need to be responsible for their actions and understand the consequences.”
While some argue that hitting is an integral part of hockey and that the risk of injury is simply part of the game, others contend that more needs to be done to prioritize player health and well-being. Jeannot’s suspension, while a step in the right direction, is unlikely to quell the debate anytime soon.
Looking Ahead: Lessons Learned and Changes Needed
As the Kings and Canucks move forward from this incident, both teams will undoubtedly be reflecting on what transpired and what, if anything, could have been done differently. For Jeannot, the suspension serves as a harsh reminder of the need to play within the rules and respect his opponents’ safety. For Boeser and the Canucks, it’s a frustrating setback that underscores the fragility of a player’s health in a contact sport like hockey.
More broadly, the NHL will likely face renewed scrutiny over its handling of head injuries and its efforts to create a safer environment for players. While progress has been made in recent years, incidents like the Jeannot hit serve as a stark reminder that there is still much work to be done.
As fans, pundits, and stakeholders continue to debate the balance between physicality and safety in hockey, one thing remains clear: the well-being of the players must always come first. Whether through rule changes, enhanced education and awareness, or stricter enforcement of existing regulations, the NHL has a responsibility to protect its most valuable asset – the athletes who give their all on the ice each and every night.
Only by prioritizing player safety and taking a hard stand against dangerous plays like Jeannot’s hit on Boeser can the league hope to build a sustainable future for the sport and its participants. The road ahead may be challenging, but the stakes – the health and livelihoods of the players themselves – could not be higher.
