Flyers' Rinaldo suspended 8 games for hit on Penguins' Letang

Philadelphia Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo has been suspended eight games games for charging and boarding Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang last Tuesday, the Department of Player Safety announced.

Rinaldo was given a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct for the hit during the first period of the Jan. 20 game.

He waived his right to an in-person hearing, opting to answer for the hit over the phone.

Rinaldo is a repeat offender, and will forfeit more than $70,000 in salary during the suspension, according to Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News.

The NHL will not release a video explanation of its decision for several days because winter weather conditions have left league employees scattered around North America, Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.