Report: NHL to review Clarkson's knee-on-knee; likely no further discipline
It's only the preseason, but Columbus Blue Jackets forward David Clarkson may already be in hot water with the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
The league has requested video of the knee-on-knee hit delivered by Clarkson on Minnesota Wild winger Justin Fontaine early in the first period of Thursday's exhibition game, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports.
The Blue Jackets will reportedly send a copy of the tape, because there was no television broadcast.
The league is unlikely to further discipline Clarkson, feeling the penalty called during the game was punishment enough, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Michael Russo.
If this was televised game (regular season), Clarkson's fate could be different, as there would be more cameras and angles. However... #CBJ
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 25, 2015
... unless new footage is presented, indications are #CBJ Clarkson will NOT face any fines or suspension.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 25, 2015
Clarkson's hit on Fontaine came less than two minutes into the Wild's 5-2 win. The Blue Jackets agitator was given a five-minute major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct.
After the game, Clarkson told Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch that he was glad to hear Fontaine didn't appear to suffer a serious injury, adding that he wasn't worried about facing possible supplemental discipline.
Clarkson disputed the notion that it was a knee-on-knee hit.
Fontaine did suffer a leg bruise and a sore side, according to Russo.
Clarkson was handed a 10-game ban in 2013 for leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs bench during an on-ice brawl in a preseason game against the Buffalo Sabres.