It appears that the Chicago Blackhawks will be without their star defender, and two-time Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith for the remainder of the season. While the length of the suspension is still undetermined, the NHL Department of Player Safety has given Keith the option for an in-person meeting to discuss the punishment.
Per NHL.com:
Keith was offered the opportunity for an in-person hearing as required by provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for any suspension that can exceed five games.
It is highly unlikely that Keith’s suspension will be anything less than five games since he has been called in.
Keith was assessed a game misconduct penalty at 9:27 in the first period, and the already shorthanded Chicago Blackhawks were without both Keith and Brent Seabrook for the game verse the Minnesota Wild. Keith was caught retaliating against the Wild’s Charlie Coyle, and since he has had two other disciplinary suspensions in the past, it is likely that the NHL comes down hard on the future Hall of Fame defenseman. In 2013 Keith was suspended in the Western Conference Final for a retaliatory high-stick to the LA Kings Jeff Carter, and in 2012 he was suspended five games for an elbow to the Vancouver Canucks’ Daniel Sedin.
Many publications are predicting a longer suspension than the minimum five games (as required for the in-person interview), which would cost Keith playoff games as well. Plainly said, this was a stupid penalty at a stupid time which could end up costing the team playoff wins.
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