New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban has been punished for his actions on the ice but also avoided what some believed should've been a message-sending suspension.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday that Subban has been fined $15,000 for tripping Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras during Tuesday's game between the clubs that Anaheim won 4-0:
#NJDevils defender PK Subban will have a hearing today for tripping Trevor Zegras. #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/tjH0EHe8OM
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) November 3, 2021
Subban's fine is the maximum amount allowed per the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. All fine money goes to the players' emergency assistance fund.
As outlets such as The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) and The Athletic noted, negative reactions among fans regarding the league's handling of Subban stem from the fact he's a repeat offender from this season, alone. He was fined $5,000 for what was deemed to be a "dangerous trip" of Calgary Flames forward Milan Lucic last week:
#NJDevils PK Subban with an almost identical “slew foot” tonight against #Flames Milan Lucic.
— Hockey Hound (@HockeyHoundShow) October 27, 2021
What do you think? Should this be looked at by @NHLPlayerSafety
-Graphic Credit To @CamandStrick pic.twitter.com/xzGtwEm18l
Subban also injured New York Rangers forward Ryan Reaves during the preseason with a similar move but wasn't fined:
Subban with the slew foot #NYR pic.twitter.com/AISheOqr4j
— David (@DaveyUpper) October 6, 2021
The 4-3-1 Devils next play at the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.
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