Pittsburgh Penguins forward Derrick Brassard won’t be hearing from the NHL Department of Player Safety for his high hit on New Jersey Devils defenseman Sami Vatanen. The league has opted not to pursue further disciplinary action against the Pens’ center.

 

 

Brassard was ejected from Monday night’s game for elbowing Vatanen by referees Pierre Lambert and Justin St. Pierre.  The hit came midway through the third period with the score 4-1 in an eventual 6-3 Devils win.  The Penguins center picked up a five-minute major for elbowing, along with a game misconduct.

Vatanen was not seriously injured on the play and is not expected to miss any time. Devils beat reporter Amanda Stein said the New Jersey defenseman was in “good spirits” after the game, but noted that he did require stitches to close a cut above his left eye.

Though he wasn’t suspended or fined by Player Safety, Brassard was subject to a mandatory $100 fine per Rule 45:

45.1 Elbowing – Elbowing shall mean the use of an extended elbow in a manner that may or may not cause injury.

45.2 Minor Penalty – The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a minor penalty, based on the degree of violence, to a player guilty of elbowing an opponent.

45.3 Major Penalty – A major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player who uses his elbow to foul an opponent. A major penalty must be imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent (see 45.5).

45.4 Match Penalty – The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent by elbowing.

45.5 Game Misconduct Penalty – When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct penalty shall also be imposed.

45.6 Fines and Suspensions – When a major penalty and a game misconduct is assessed for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, an automatic fine of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be imposed.

That $100 is sure going to hurt.

 
Update 1/30/19: Vatanen is, in fact, injured, having reportedly suffered a concussion.