High hits are the bane of the NHL. Concussions and various other injuries become the center of attention and the focal point for many hockey naysayers. So when Niklas Hjalmarsson took out Ty Rattie during a preseason game, many around the league cringed.
Hjalmarsson definitely hit Rattie up high on the play. It doesn’t seem like a normal hit for Hjalmarsson, who is not known for these types of plays. He has only been suspended once since 2010 after all. These are the hits they are trying to eliminate from the game and the DoPS suspended him the rest of the preseason plus one regular season game.
A stiff suspension considering the randomness surrounding their disciplinary methods. Not a great look for the Blackhawks as they try to once again compete for a Stanley Cup.
