Domi’s suspension hinders Canadiens’ chemistry experiment
QUEBEC The Canadiens received some bad news shortly before they arrived at the Vidéotron Centre in advance of Thursday night’s preseason game against the Stanley Cup-champion Washington Capitals.
Max Domi, who was acquired from Arizona in a trade for Alex Galchenyuk, has been suspended for the remainder of the pre-season for roughing Florida Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad.
The National Hockey League’s department of player safety noted that Ekblad showed no interest in engaging with Domi before the Montreal player delivered what was described as a “forceful blow.” Domi’s record as a repeat offender factored into the length of the suspension.
In effect, Domi sucker-punched Ekblad, and he was assessed a minor penalty for roughing as well as a match penalty.
The suspension hurts the Canadiens more than it hurts Domi. He’s assured of a spot on the roster, but he will be deprived of an opportunity to build chemistry with his linemates.
It puts head coach Claude Julien in a tough position as he tries to put together his top lines.
The assumption coming into camp was that Domi would be playing on the wing, but Julien has been using him as the centre on the top line with Jonathan Drouin at left wing and another newcomer, Joel Armia, on the right side.
“These things aren’t set in stone,” said Julien. “We’re looking at players in different situations. We’ll still be able to see him in practice, but we’ll be missing that opportunity to see him in games. It’s similar to dealing with an injury.”
Drouin moved to centre after Domi was ejected, won four of his five faceoffs and didn’t look out of place, but Julien said it was too early to say whether Drouin was back in the mix for a job in the middle.
“We know what Jonathan can do and he played much better at the end of last season,” said Julien, adding that he was looking at all of his options.
Julien said Domi regretted his actions and that the Canadiens respected the NHL’s decision.
While acknowledging that Domi stepped over the line, Julien said “that doesn’t make him a bad person.” He noted Domi and Ekblad have a history of battling each other going back to their days as juniors in the Ontario Hockey League.
The blow was forceful enough that the NHL ordered Ekblad off the ice for a medical evaluation, which showed that he was not displaying any signs of a concussion and he didn’t suffer a broken nose.