Zachary L’Heureux, a forward for the Nashville Predators, has been suspended for three games without pay and fined $13,489.59 for slew-footing Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon. The incident occurred during a game on Tuesday night, where L’Heureux used his left knee to lift Spurgeon’s legs from behind while chasing a loose puck. This caused Spurgeon to crash violently into the boards at full speed, resulting in a lower-body injury that will sideline him on a week-to-week basis. The severity of the injury is concerning, given Spurgeon’s recent recovery from season-ending back and hip surgeries.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety classified L’Heureux’s action as slew-footing, a dangerous maneuver explicitly prohibited in the league’s rulebook. Slew-footing is defined as using one’s leg or foot to knock or kick an opponent’s feet out from under them, or pushing an opponent’s upper body backward while simultaneously kicking their feet out, causing a violent fall. The inherent danger in this action stems from the complete loss of control experienced by the targeted player, who is often propelled forward with considerable force and unable to brace for impact. This lack of control significantly increases the risk of serious injuries, including head, neck, and spinal injuries, as well as lower-body trauma.
This suspension marks L’Heureux’s first disciplinary action in the NHL, but his history reveals a pattern of dangerous plays. He has previously faced suspensions totaling 36 games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and three games in the American Hockey League (AHL) for similar infractions. This record suggests a recurring issue with his on-ice conduct and raises concerns about his ability to play within the rules. While this incident resulted in a three-game suspension, the fact that the Department of Player Safety did not require an in-person hearing suggests the potential for a more severe penalty, up to a maximum of five games. This indicates the seriousness with which the league views this type of infraction.
The impact of L’Heureux’s action extends beyond his own suspension, significantly affecting both teams involved. The Wild lose their captain and a key defensive player in Spurgeon, impacting their overall team performance and strategic options. The Predators, while not directly penalized beyond L’Heureux’s absence, also suffer from the loss of a contributing player and the negative publicity surrounding the incident. Moreover, the incident highlights the ongoing challenge within the NHL of balancing aggressive play with player safety.
The incident has drawn strong reactions from players and commentators alike, with many emphasizing the inherent danger of slew-footing and the need for stricter enforcement of the rule. Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson, who witnessed the play firsthand, expressed concern for Spurgeon’s well-being and emphasized the unacceptable nature of such actions in hockey. His comments reflect the broader sentiment within the league regarding the importance of player safety and the responsibility of all players to respect the rules and protect each other from unnecessary harm.
The L’Heureux incident underscores the ongoing debate within hockey regarding the balance between physicality and player safety. While the sport inherently involves physical contact and aggressive play, actions like slew-footing cross the line into reckless endangerment. The NHL’s response, while seen by some as appropriate, also raises questions about the effectiveness of current disciplinary measures in deterring such behavior. The fact that L’Heureux, despite previous suspensions in other leagues, continued to engage in dangerous plays suggests that more stringent penalties or educational initiatives might be necessary to effectively address this issue. The incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of players to serious injury and the need for continuous efforts to improve safety within the game.
