Max Talbot, a Boston Bruins forward, has been handed a two-game suspension without pay because of a delay-hit with an accident last Sunday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.
The accident occurred at around 14:30 of the second period.
Jiri Tlusty also stayed in the game after the delay-hit, which happened well after he had let go of the disc, and was obviously worthy of a penalty for interference.
Tlusty, after losing a back tooth, said that Talbot would have been able to avoid the blow.
The accident occurred in the second period at around 14:30 of Boston’s 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils last Sunday. After Jiri Tlusty cycled the puck in the Bruins’ corner, Talbot managed to deliver a late hit that made contact with the Devils’ head forward.
The league has added that even if all of the players must be aware of their environment, it was perfectly reasonable for Jiri to not expect to contact a lot of time after possession, and that Talbot does not initiate contact until after that. The player should also be prepared for an opponent to finish his check-up.
Talbot will lose $19,354.84 in his salary. He will be missing Boston’s home game Tuesday against St. Louis Blues and Saturday against Buffalo Sabres, and then will be eligible to return Sunday in Ottawa.
“It dropped on the ice. The shovel guys probably picked it up,” he said.
Was Talbot really deserving of the suspension? Or was the accident really just that – an accident? Well, may this serve as a lesson for Talbot.