Avalanche’s Kadri suspended for hit vs Blues pending hearing

Nazem Kadri will have a Zoom hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety after a hit on Blues defenseman Justin Faulk Wednesday night.

Colorado’s Nazem Kadri has been offered an in-person hearing via Zoom for an Illegal Check to the Head on St. Louis’ Justin Faulk. Date and time TBD.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) May 20, 2021

The “in-person” option allows the league to suspend Kadri longer than five games.

Faulk left the game following the hit early in the third period and did not return.

Kadri has been suspended five times by the NHL since 2013, including twice in the playoffs while with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In April 2018, he was suspended three playoff games for boarding Tommy Wingels of the Boston Bruins. In April 2019, he was given a five-game suspension for a cross-check to the head of Bruins player Jake DeBrusk.

When asked about the hit, Colorado coach Jared Bednar noted that it was a five-minute major penalty but that he hadn’t seen all the angles.

There was no update on Faulk after the game, but Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly said the hit was dangerous.

“That’s a very dangerous hit. It’s gotta be a suspension,” O’Reilly said. “He’s a repeat offender. It’s completely uncalled for. That’s awful to see.”

Game 3 is in St. Louis on Friday night.