Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary could be facing supplemental discipline for Wednesday’s elbow/rough on Vancouver Canucks defenceman Elias Pettersson.
The 23-year-old Zary has a hearing scheduled Thursday with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, a chance to explain himself before they determine if a suspension or fine is warranted.
Pettersson had just levelled Nazem Kadri with an open-ice hit when Zary rushed to the defence of his teammate, landing an elbow to the left side of Pettersson’s head. He was called on the ice for a two-minute minor for interference. Pettersson logged two shifts afterward, but the rookie blue-liner did not return for second or third period as the Canucks rallied for a 4-3 shootout victory.
When Flames captain Mikael Backlund exited Wednesday with an upper-body injury, Zary was shifted to the middle to skate between Blake Coleman and Joel Farabee. If Zary is slapped with a suspension, Calgary’s depth at centre will be further tested. (There has been no update on the severity of Backlund’s injury.)
Next up for the Flames, currently tied for the final wild card in the Western Conference, is Friday’s clash with the Colorado Avalanche.