Hoffman will receive phone hearing for cross-check on Couture

Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman has been booked for a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety to address his cross-check to the back of the head of Logan Couture on Wednesday night.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports the hearing will take place over the phone.

Hoffman was given a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for the vicious bit of stick work, which left Couture down on the ice injured.

Because the chat takes place over the phone, Hoffman cannot be suspended for more than five games.

There's not yet word on whether San Jose Sharks defender Marc-Eduoard Vlasic will meet with the safety bureau for his apparent spear on Erik Karlsson.