Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron is suspended for six games by NHL player safety for cross-checking Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub.

The Detroit Red Wings will be without David Perron for the next little while.

The NHL's player safety department announced Perron has been suspended for six games without pay. He'll forfeit $148,437.48 based on his average annual salary, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Perron, 35, delivered a retaliatory cross-check to the head of Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub during the first period of Saturday night's game.

It all started after Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was on the ice motionless after getting a push up high from Senators forward Mathieu Joseph and then colliding with Senators forward Parker Kelly. Once Perron saw Larkin, he charged toward Zub, the nearest Ottawa player, and delivered a cross-check to the side of his head. Perron was assessed a match penalty.

The NHL Department of Player Safety said Perron delivered a "forceful blow to the head of Zub, knocking him to the ice" in its full video explanation while adding that it was not mutual jousting between the two players.

"This is not a hockey play," said the video narrator. "This is an intentional strike with a stick made with the purpose of exacting retribution on an opponent."

Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde told reporters Monday that Larkin had been placed on IR with an upper-body injury. He was unable to provide a rough timeline for his captain's recovery.

Perron was offered an in-person hearing by the player safety department, which allowed for a suspension of more than five games. They ended up having the hearing Monday afternoon on Zoom.

This is Perron's first time being suspended. During the second round of the 2022 playoffs, Perron was also fined $5,000 for cross-checking then-Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri.

Perron has recorded 13 points in 26 games with the Red Wings this year. The Sherbrooke, Que., native has tallied 734 points over 1,081 career games split between the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers.

Perron will be eligible to return to action on Dec. 22 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He can choose to appeal to a neutral arbitrator.