The NHL handed Phoenix Coyotes winger Paul Bissonnette a 10-game suspension after he left the bench to engage in a fight against the Los Angeles Kings during an exhibition game on Sunday.
Paul Bissonnette suspension: Coyotes winger to miss 10 games for coming off bench vs. Kings
The writing was on the wall when he left the bench to fight, but Paul Bissonnette received a 10-game suspension.
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Bissonnette left the bench during an altercation to try and go after Jordan Nolan, who leveled Coyotes defenseman Rostislav Klesla minutes earlier. Nolan received a minor penalty for his hit, which saw Klesla leaving the ice on a stretcher. During Nolan's shift back onto the ice following his penalty, Bissonnette left the Coyotes bench to go after Nolan.
Bissonnette was given a 10-minute game misconduct for leaving the bench during the scrum, and was cited a 10-game suspension afterwards via the language in Rule 70.10.
Although the hit Nolan delivered to Klesla was rather vicious looking, it was a legal hit within NHL rules and he received no supplemental discipline.
Sarah McLellan with the Arizona Republic notes Bissonnette will lose $37,820.51 in salary. He will be eligible to return on Oct. 24, where chance has it the Kings host the Coyotes.
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