Skip to content

Sestito says he's not entirely to blame for hit that concussed Enstrom

Darcy Finley / National Hockey League / Getty

Tom Sestito admits he could have done more to prevent the hit that gave Toby Enstrom a concussion, but the Pittsburgh Penguins pest also placed blame on the Winnipeg Jets defenseman.

"I thought he would take the hit," Sestito told reporters Friday. "It happens quick out there. They analyze it frame by frame, and it looks like I could have changed directions, but in my mind, I thought he saw it coming."

The Penguins forward wished Enstrom a speedy recovery but said his opponent had a responsibility to be more aware prior to the hit.

"I think the onus has to be on the player with the puck (to) know where you are on the boards," Sestito said. "The players have to (make an effort to) avoid (going) into the boards, but he made eye contact with me so he knew I was coming."

Sesito was suspended four games Thursday for the incident, which occurred Wednesday night, and Jets head coach Paul Maurice announced Friday that Enstrom will be out indefinitely with the head injury.

"It's not a fun thing to go through, especially when you see a guy get hurt, you don't want to see that," Sestito said. "It's a long process. That 24 hours seemed like it took three days, but I got through it. I'll sit my time out and hopefully get back to playing."

Sestito was called up Wednesday ahead of the highly anticipated rematch following a testy previous meeting between the two clubs. That game included a headshot by Evgeni Malkin on Blake Wheeler that didn't garner supplemental discipline.

It was Sestito's ninth NHL game of the season, and his first with the Penguins since Nov. 16.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox