The NHL’s Department of Player Safety is officially back from the All-Star Break, handing out their first disciplinary action since the pause.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole will be getting a bill for $5,000 for kneeing Andrew Cogliano of the Colorado Avalanche. The illegal hit came with less than two minutes remaining in the first period of Thursday’s game in Tampa.
No penalty was called on the play by referees Francis Charron and T.J. Luxmore.
Cogliano was helped off the ice, attempting to avoid putting any weight on his right leg. He later returned to the game.
Cole has been fined twice before, both times for similar plays. He was fined $5000 for kneeing Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele in 2021 and picked up a $5000 fine for a dangerous trip in 2018. His fine is the maximum permitted under the CBA without a formal hearing based on his annual salary.
