First a suspension, now a fine. It’s a busy start to the 2023-24 season for the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
Los Angeles Kings forward Phillip Danault has been fined $5000 for slashing Colorado Avalanche center Ross Colton.
The illegal stickwork came 4:20 into the second period of Wednesday night’s game in Los Angeles. After winning a faceoff the the Avs’ zone, Colton stepped into Danault, interfering with him along the boards. No call on the interference.
Danault responded with a two-handed slash to Colton’s wrist. No call on the retaliatory slash.
Los Angeles Kings forward Phillip Danault has been fined $5,000 for slashing Colorado Avalanche center Ross Colton: https://t.co/0vipsfZSPL pic.twitter.com/7NSmkGWAtJ
— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) October 12, 2023
Player Safety stepped in after reviewing the tape, and has made their call, handing Danault a $5000 fine.
Danault’s fine is the maximum allowable under the NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement without a formal hearing.
The Kings’ forward has been fined before, picking up a $5ooo fine for a dangerous trip on Florida’s Aaron Ekblad. He’s also had some dangerous plays avoid supplemental discipline, including a spear to the throat of Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle last season.
Referees for the game were Wes McCauley (#4) and Steve Kozari (#40), with linespersons Brandon Gawryletz (#64) and Kiel Murchison (#79).
