Kempe Fined $5,000, Called a “Violent Player”
© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images - Kempe Fined $5,000, Called a “Violent Player”If you blinked at all last night, you may have missed this gray area play by Kings' forward Adrian Kempe on Oilers' center Connor McDavid.
The video had to be slowed down quite a bit, but it’s hard to argue that the play wasn’t a slew foot. It clearly was.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety agreed. Kempe was fined $5,000 for the play.
As expected, the missed call caused an uproar, especially prior to the announcement of the fine.
From David Staples, The Cult of Hockey:
“With the law of the jungle continuing to prevail, the Oilers are evidently going to have to up their own game in the hammer, hit, punch and maim department if they hope to beat out big, tough and heavy-fouling teams like the Los Angeles Kings in the playoffs.
The law of the jungle in the NHL is simple, the notion being that if the league does not properly punish violent players like Kempe, then crime pays. It pays to slew foot McDavid if there’s no suspension attached.”
This was the first fine in Kempe's nine NHL season. In 590 games played, he has yet to be suspended.
This isn’t the first time Kempe and McDavid have been involved in a dangerous play.
It was clearly a penalty that should’ve been called, but some are not satisfied with the fine alone. Was the play worthy of a suspension? Let us know below!