Former Oiler Jesse Puljujarvi delivered a very dangerous and illegal hit during last night's game, and he will now have a hearing for a possible suspension.
Florida Panthers' Jesse Puljujarvi will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety following an illegal hit to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning's Mitchell Chaffee. This occurred during Tuesday night's Panthers' 5-1 defeat to the Lightning.
Late in the third period, Chaffee held the puck in the offensive zone when Puljujarvi made contact, his initial point of contact being on his opponent's head.
The contact sparked a brawl, with Panthers forward Nico Sturm engaging in a fight with Tampa Bay's Zemgus Girgensons. Puljujarvi received a match penalty and was taken out of the game.
Puljujarvi was sent down to the AHL earlier today
The 26-year-old Swedish-born Finnish winger played in five games with Florida this year. He joined the team last month under a two-way contract and was recalled from the Charlotte Checkers, to which he was demoted earlier today.
During his short stint with the Panthers, he had scored one goal. His availability for the next playoff series by his Panthers team against the Lightning is in doubt due to the disciplinary hearing.
Puljujarvi was the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. He has played 387 games over eight seasons with the Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, and Edmonton Oilers.
Throughout his NHL career, he has scored 58 goals and 70 assists, which is definitely way below expectations for a player who was picked so early in a draft.
