The Shanaban-hammer has struck yet again, as Toronto Maple Leafs forward Clarke MacArthur has been suspended for the final preseason game and two regular-season games for his hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader.
Here's the NHL's Senior VP of player safety emoting the Hell out of yet another video explanation:
By the by, has anyone checked to make sure Shanahan isn't trying to surreptitiously build a baseball team of suspended players for some secret October tournament? He's one shy, as MacArthur becomes the eighth player to face his wrath this preseason.
MacArthur forfeits $35,000 to the player's emergency assistance fund, in case, for whatever reason, you care about that.
MacArthur saw some leniency because he has no history of suspensions and Abdelkader got up none the worse for wear. Still, his suspension hits the Leafs hard. It would appear that Tyler Bozak and Tim Connolly will both be unavailable to start the season, and Mikhail Grabovski left Saturday's contest with the Red Wings with a foot injury.
Up until now, the Leafs had intended to ease Matthew Lombardi back into the lineup. But with a forwards corps that's suddenly very thin, that plan may have to be amended.