Elliotte Friedman explains why Montreal Canadiens Arber Xhekaj avoided suspension for retribution incident
Photo credit: @GinoHard_ on X
Many were surprised that Arber Xhekaj received just a fine for his actions involving Cédric Paré of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Elliotte Friedman has explained why
It was a tense night, especially for preseason action, when the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs met Saturday. At the end of the night, the Canadiens were missing newly acquired star Patrik Laine to a potential long-term injury, while Arber Xhekaj was booted from the game for essentially jumping the Toronto Maple Leafs' Cedric Paré, the person who hit Laine
Arber Xhekaj was fined the maximum amount, $3,385.42, for unsportsmanlike conduct. That left many wondering why the defenseman wasn't suspended for at least a game or two. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has explained.
Elliotte Friedman said he's convinced that the apparent severity of the injury to Patrik Laine was a factor in the reason why Arber Xhekaj managed to avoid a suspension. Had Xhekaj done the same thing to Cedric Paré without a major injury to a teammate, the consequences would have been different.
"If there is no injury on the play, he's getting suspended for that. But I think because of the injury, I would bet a lot of people, and you can call everyone neanderthals, I don't care. I just understand it's his way it goes. I would guarantee to you, that because there was a serious injury on the play or what looks to be a serious injury, Xhekaj did not get the worst punishment he could have gotten. I have no doubt they didn't like him punching him with the gloves on, and that's why he got 27 minutes and thrown out of the game. I'm sure he was told don't do that again, butbut I'm sure he got less punishment than he could have."
The latest update on Patrik Laine's injury from the Montreal Canadiens is no update at all. The team has already told reporters there will be no further news on Monday. Both Laine and teammate David Reinbacher were seen leaving the Bell centre on crutches Saturday night.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 30 | 122 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman explains why Montreal Canadiens Arber Xhekaj avoided suspension for retribution incident Should Arber Xhekaj of the Montreal Canadiens been suspended for at least one game for his action on Cedric Pare of the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 55 | 45.1 % |
| No | 59 | 48.4 % |
| Not sure | 8 | 6.6 % |
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