The NHL has announced that Phil Kessel has been suspended for three preseason games for swinging his stick at Buffalo Sabres forward John Scott during a preseason game on Sept. 22.
While Brendan Shanahan acknowledges Kessel's initial motivation was self-defense, the fact that he persists in swinging his stick after being removed from imminent risk appears to be a big factor in the NHL's decision.
Shanahan also cited the match penalty assessed at the time of the incident, Kessel's lack of supplemental discipline history, and the fact that Scott was not injured on the play.
Kessel will miss the remainder of the preseason and will be eligible to return for Toronto's season opener on Oct. 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers.