Ryan Garbutt will face a hearing with the NHL's Player Safety Department this afternoon for his "hit" on Taylor Hall during the Oilers loss to the Stars on Tuesday:
The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: kneeing. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.
The "hit" by Garbutt was one of the most intentional illegal hits I've seen in a long time (not Dale Hunter intentional, mind you), but Hall wasn't injured on the play, so typically Garbutt wouldn't face a long suspension. However, Garbutt is a repeat offender, getting five games for his "hit" on Dustin Penner last October:
And a fine for his spear on Corey Perry in the playoffs:
Garbutt is a waste of space and the type of player that doesn't belong in the NHL, so hopefully Lindy Ruff's take on the hit, "reckless" as he described it, isn't just empty words:
"It’s something he has a tough time with. We had a tough time with it last year, but I thought we were making some headway. I feel like I’m losing a bit of ground again.
...That’s where the wires short out a little bit. It’s something that is part of his makeup that I’m trying to tone down. It’s real important that I get to him, and he’s able to control those emotions."
Garbutt should get 7 games based on his repeat offender status and how he directly targeted Hall's knee, but this is the NHL, where only injuries matter and talentless goons are protected, so Garbutt will get a two-game suspension.