Islanders winger Jonathan Drouin was suspended for one game following his cross-check to the face of Connor Dewar in the final seconds of Thursday night’s loss to the Penguins.
Drouin, who was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct following a review, was given a phone hearing by the Department of Player Safety and promptly suspended. He will be eligible to return Monday afternoon against the Winnipeg Jets.
Because the suspension is without pay, Drouin will also forfeit $20,833.33 of salary, according to the NHL’s release.
“While we have heard Drouin’s assertion that he does not intend to strike Dewar in this manner, players are responsible for their sticks at all times,” the Department of Player Safety said in its video explaining the decision. “Drouin is in control of his stick and chooses to raise it to an unacceptable height to deliver a blow that lands directly on his opponent’s face, with sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline.”
Jonathan Drouin was suspended one game for his cross check on Connor Dewar. TSN/X
The video also noted that Drouin has previously been fined for cross-checking in a 2021-22 incident while he was playing for the Canadiens.
The suspension punches a hole into the Islanders’ top six for Saturday’s home opener against the Capitals and opens upcreates an immediate question for coach Patrick Roy.
After the four lines Roy used Thursday night seemed to achieve the Islanders’ desired lineup balance, he’ll need to decide not only who of Marc Gatcomb or Kyle MacLean — the two extra forwards who did not dress Thursday — should come into the lineup, but how to juggle the lines while keeping that balance intact.
Max Tsyplakov or Anthony Duclair, both of whom played Thursday on the fourth line, both look like candidates to jump into Drouin’s spot on the second line. That would allow Gatcomb or MacLean to play on the fourth line, where their games are a natural fit.
Speaking to reporters after an optional practice Friday, Roy declined to say what his plans for the lineup would be.
New York Islanders left wing Jonathan Drouin (29) and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) fight during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectAsked whether he was disappointed that Drouin put himself in a position to get suspended, Roy said he was not.
“You’re asking the question to the wrong person,” Roy said. “Hockey is an emotional game and sometimes those things happen. I made some weird ones sometimes and that was part of it.”
Cal Ritchie (lower body), Pierre Engvall (hip) and Semyon Varlamov (knee) were all on the ice before the Islanders practiced.
