The NHL Department of Player Safety handed down a three-game suspension to Nashville Predators rookie forward Zachary L’Heureux on Thursday for slew-footing Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon. The incident, which occurred early in the second period of Tuesday’s game, resulted in Spurgeon awkwardly colliding feet-first into the boards and leaving the game injured.
While most slew-footing penalties are sufficiently addressed with in-game discipline, the league determined L’Heureux’s actions warranted supplemental punishment, citing the dangerous nature of using his upper body and skate positioning to shove a defenseless Spurgeon backwards at high speed in proximity to the boards.
A Pattern of Reckless Play
Though this marks L’Heureux’s first NHL suspension, it’s far from his first brush with the Department of Player Safety. The 20-year-old winger, drafted 27th overall by the Predators in 2021, built up a notorious reputation for crossing the line during his junior hockey days.
Before making his NHL debut this season, L’Heureux was suspended a staggering nine times in the QMJHL for various infractions, plus two more suspensions in the AHL. This concerning history of undisciplined play raised red flags about his NHL readiness and whether he could adapt his game to the faster, more punishing pro level.
Predators Prospect Pipeline Takes a Hit
L’Heureux’s suspension comes at an inopportune time for a Predators team already decimated by injuries and struggling to stay afloat in the competitive Central Division. The gritty winger had been earning a regular role in the Nashville lineup, contributing nine points through his first 33 NHL games while adding some much-needed sandpaper to the forward group.
Now the Predators will be without L’Heureux’s services for three crucial games against the Vancouver Jets, Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets as they embark on a western Canada road trip. For an organization that has invested heavily in rebuilding through the draft in recent years, these sorts of setbacks from a top prospect are especially frustrating.
Learning Lessons the Hard Way
The hope is that this suspension serves as a firm wake-up call for L’Heureux to rein in the reckless elements of his hard-nosed game. There’s no doubting his competitiveness and willingness to get under opponents’ skin, valuable traits in the heavy-checking world of playoff hockey. But he must learn to toe the line without crossing it and hurting his team in the process.
“He’s a passionate player and he plays hard, but he’s got to stay within the rules,” Predators head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “This is how you learn. Take your medicine and you move on.”
– Bruce Cassidy, Nashville Predators head coach
L’Heureux expressed remorse for the incident and pledged to make adjustments to his game during his involuntary time off. At such a young age, there’s plenty of time for the talented agitator to mature and round out the rough edges. The Predators are counting on it, because his energy and edginess can be real assets when channeled properly.
For now, L’Heureux will take his medicine, miss three games, and aim to return with a better understanding of where the line is drawn in the NHL. The Predators prospect pipeline may have taken a temporary hit, but tough lessons like these can pay long-term dividends if the message is received.
