With captain Ryan McDonagh now sidelined with a concussion after being punched by forward Wayne Simmonds on Saturday, New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault was in disbelief that the Philadelphia Flyers forward wasn't suspended.
Vigneault spoke with reporters Monday and said he was told by officials that Simmonds received a game misconduct for throwing his stick, which would constitute an automatic three-game suspension.
But regardless of the stick-throwing incident, the 2007 Jack Adams Award winner made it clear he believes Simmonds should've received supplemental discipline for his punch, accusing the league of not protecting its stars.
"An All-Star gets sucker-punched ... wonder what would happen if it was (Sidney) Crosby," Vigneault said.
The Rangers coach also had a message for Flyers' players who reportedly accused McDonagh of faking his injury. "Tell them to go to his house, today," Vigneault said, before adding there was no timetable for the defenseman's return.
Dylan McIlrath will draw into the lineup as the sixth defenseman Monday against New Jersey, but Vigneault said he and general manager Jeff Gorton will decide if a call-up is necessary after the game.
