Jared McCann could face NHL discipline after controversial violence towards linesman
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Jared McCann appears to have shoved linesman Travis Toomey from the Kraken bench, and the NHL's Department of Player Safety may take a look.
Jared McCann is in the spotlight for the wrong reason after Seattle's ugly 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.
Video from a post-whistle scrum at the Kraken bench seems to show the winger pushing linesman Travis Toomey in the back.
No penalty was called on the play.
The scrum was already messy.
Toomey had defenseman Vince Dunn tied up near the open bench door while Kraken players leaned over the boards.
McCann appears to give the official a few shoves from behind.
Some will say he was just keeping teammates from tumbling into the bench.
Others will see a player putting hands on an official, and the league does not take that lightly.
Why the league could care
An automatic suspension for abuse of officials only applies when the penalty is called during the game, and this one was not.
That leaves Player Safety to decide whether the shove was deliberate or just part of the chaos at the bench.
If it reads as intentional, real discipline is possible.
If it looks incidental, McCann could walk away with nothing.
Seattle had bigger problems on the ice.
Vegas led 5-0 after two periods, and the Kraken piled up 43 penalty minutes, including third-period game misconducts for Ben Meyers and Brandon Montour.
McCann did score on the power play with about five minutes left to make it 6-2, his first goal of the season.
What happens next
As of Wednesday, there is no word on a hearing or a decision.
McCann is playing out the final year of his $5 million contract, and Seattle can't afford to lose a top-six forward this early.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Panthers make waivers move after Brad Marchand gets injured
Panthers make waivers move after Brad Marchand gets injured