Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras is facing a three-game suspension without pay for an illegal hit to the head of Detroit Red Wings' Michael Rasmussen. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety made the announcement Monday after reviewing the incident in a disciplinary hearing, citing the hit as both "late" and "high." Surprisingly, no penalty was called on the play when it happened late in the second period of Sunday’s game between the Ducks and Red Wings.
For Zegras, this marks the first suspension of his NHL career since debuting in 2021. And it’s coming at a cost—he’ll be forfeiting a hefty $89,844 in salary over the course of these three games. While he’s been known for his skillful and flashy plays on the ice, this moment puts him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
So, what made the hit stand out? The NHL broke it down in a video explanation, emphasizing that Rasmussen wasn’t in possession of the puck at the time of the collision, which immediately made him ineligible to be checked. “Players who are not in possession of the puck are never eligible to be checked,” the league stated, reinforcing its stance on player safety. But what really escalated the situation was a combination of factors—the timing of the hit being well outside the legal window, the significant head contact, and the force behind the impact.
Unfortunately for the Red Wings, this hit left them short-handed. Rasmussen was forced to leave the game due to injury and did not return to the ice. His absence is already being felt by the team, as coach Todd McLellan confirmed Monday that the 25-year-old forward wouldn’t be making the trip to Minnesota for their upcoming game against the Wild.
This incident has reignited conversations about player safety and late hits in the NHL. While hard-hitting, physical hockey is part of the game’s culture, the league continues to take a firm stance against head contact, especially when a player is in a vulnerable position. Zegras' suspension serves as a clear message that the NHL is cracking down on these types of plays to prevent serious injuries.
For Ducks fans, losing Zegras for three games is a tough blow. He’s been one of the most electrifying young players in the league, known for his creativity and highlight-reel plays. But this suspension is a learning moment—not just for him, but for the league as a whole. The question now is: Will this change the way he approaches physical play in future games?
With Rasmussen sidelined and Zegras out for the next three matchups, both teams will have to make key adjustments moving forward. The Red Wings will need to find ways to compensate for the absence of a crucial player, while the Ducks will have to push through without one of their most dynamic offensive threats.
The debate over the hit will likely continue among fans and analysts, but one thing is clear—the NHL isn’t taking head contact lightly. Whether this serves as a wake-up call for Zegras or just a temporary setback remains to be seen. But for now, he’ll be watching from the sidelines, and the Ducks will have to navigate their next few games without him.
Unfortunately for the Red Wings, this hit left them short-handed. Rasmussen was forced to leave the game due to injury and did not return to the ice. His absence is already being felt by the team, as coach Todd McLellan confirmed Monday that the 25-year-old forward wouldn’t be making the trip to Minnesota for their upcoming game against the Wild.
This incident has reignited conversations about player safety and late hits in the NHL. While hard-hitting, physical hockey is part of the game’s culture, the league continues to take a firm stance against head contact, especially when a player is in a vulnerable position. Zegras' suspension serves as a clear message that the NHL is cracking down on these types of plays to prevent serious injuries.
For Ducks fans, losing Zegras for three games is a tough blow. He’s been one of the most electrifying young players in the league, known for his creativity and highlight-reel plays. But this suspension is a learning moment—not just for him, but for the league as a whole. The question now is: Will this change the way he approaches physical play in future games?
With Rasmussen sidelined and Zegras out for the next three matchups, both teams will have to make key adjustments moving forward. The Red Wings will need to find ways to compensate for the absence of a crucial player, while the Ducks will have to push through without one of their most dynamic offensive threats.
The debate over the hit will likely continue among fans and analysts, but one thing is clear—the NHL isn’t taking head contact lightly. Whether this serves as a wake-up call for Zegras or just a temporary setback remains to be seen. But for now, he’ll be watching from the sidelines, and the Ducks will have to navigate their next few games without him.
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