Zach Werenski's injury as a result of the hit is not expected to be serious.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway was fined for his hit on Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski in Thursday night's season opener, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Friday.
Hathaway's $5,000 penalty is the maximum allowable fine under the collective bargaining agreement.
Hathaway kneed Werenski behind the Columbus net 14:14 into the second period of Thursday night's tilt. Werenski had to be helped to the dressing room and ended up missing the remainder of the game with what a quad contusion. His injury is not considered serious.
Hathaway was initially assessed a five-minute major penalty for the hit, but the infraction was reduced to a minor penalty after further review.
Flyers head coach John Tortorella told the media after the game that he believed Hathaway should not have been penalized for the hit.
"I don't want to see anything bad happen to (Werenski)," Tortorella continued. "I have tremendous respect for him, and I was fortunate to coach him the years I coached. He is a dynamite player and a better person."
Werenski was playing in his first game since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder last November.