Keith declines in-person hearing, will address Coyle incident Friday

Duncan Keith will plead his case Friday, and over the phone.

The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman declined his offered in-person hearing, choosing not to travel to the NHL offices to speak to the NHL's Department of Player Safety and address his high stick to the face of Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle.

Keith, whose been suspended twice earlier in his career, can be banned in excess of six games for the ugly stick-swinging incident.

He earned a match penalty and game misconduct for the transgression, and will likely not be eligible until some point in the postseason.