Predators Forward Zachary L'Heureux Slapped with 3-Game Suspension for Slew-Footing

Incident occurred during the second period of Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Thursday that Nashville Predators forward Zachary L’Heureux has been suspended for three games, without pay, for slew-footing Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon during the second period of Tuesday's game at Xcel Energy Center.

The incident occurred at 3:16 of the second period as Spurgeon and L'Heureux were chasing a loose puck. Spurgeon left the game with an injury as a result of the play, and L’Heureux was assessed a match penalty.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, L’Heureux will forfeit $13,489.59 as a result of his suspension. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

In anticipation of L'Heureux's suspension, the Predators recalled forward Ozzy Wiesblatt Thursday from the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. Wiesblatt practiced with the team Thursday in Vancouver ahead of Friday's game against the Canucks, along with defenseman Spencer Stastney, who was recalled in the wake of a pair of injuries on Nashville's blue line. 

Jeremy Lauzon and Adam Wilsby, the Predators' two injured defensemen, were not on the ice for Thursday's practice. Lauzon left Tuesday's game with a lower-body injury and did not return, while Wilsby did not play Tuesday and is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

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