Red Wings' David Perron Slapped With Lengthy Suspension

Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron has had his in-person interview (by Zoom) with the NHL for his vicious crosscheck to the head of Ottawa's Artem Zub, and the result is a stiff 6-game suspension for the Detroit forward.

David Perron has been suspended 6 games for this crosscheck. pic.twitter.com/9UfPCc7ZXt

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 12, 2023

"This is not a hockey play," the NHL's player safety department said in its ruling. "This is an intentional strike with a stick made with the purpose of exacting retribution on an opponent." 

Perron received a match penalty for intent to injure on the play. He is now out until Dec. 22nd, and forfeits $148,437 in salary. The harshness of the ban surprised his coach, Derek Lalonde, seeing as it's Perron's first suspendable offense in 17 years in the NHL. 

"David's had a clean sheet for 1100 games," said Lalonde. "I know he was pretty disappointed."

The incident came after Perron's teammate, Dylan Larkin, was knocked unconscious by simultaneous hits to the head, from the back and front, by two Senators, Mathieu Joseph and Parker Kelly. Perron reacted immediately and took it out on Zub, who was the nearest Senator to him. 

 Larkin is out at least a week after sustaining an upper-body injury from the play.