Preds F Zachary L'Heureux facing possible suspension

Field Level Media|published: Wed 1st January, 14:28 2025

Dec 31, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild center Ben Jones (39) throws Nashville Predators left wing Zachary L'Heureux (68) during a fight in the first period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Nashville Predators rookie forward Zachary L'Heureux is facing a possible suspension for tripping/slew-footing Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon on Tuesday night.

L'Heureux, 21, will have an NHL Player Safety hearing at a date and time still to be determined, the league said Wednesday.

The incident occurred at the 3:19 mark of the second period during the Predators' 5-3 road loss. L'Heureux was assessed a game misconduct for a slew-foot against Spurgeon as both players chased a loose puck.

Slew-footing occurs when a player uses his leg to take out an opponent's legs from behind, causing the opponent to fall backward.

"I'm sure the league is going to take a look at it," Wild coach John Hynes said after the game, calling it a "cheap hit."

Drafted in the first round (27th overall) by Nashville in 2021, L'Heureux has recorded nine points (four goals, five assists) and 32 penalty minutes in 33 games this season.

According to The Tennessean, L'Heureux was suspended on nine occasions while playing junior hockey in the QMJHL, including a 10-game ban for jabbing his stick in the direction of opposing fans. He was suspended twice in the AHL, including a two-game ban for sucker punching a player from behind.

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand received a three-game suspension in November 2021 following a similar slew-footing incident.

--Field Level Media

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