Dirty hit leading to Blackhawks-Red Wings brawl may lead to Dylan Larkin suspension

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Daniel Lucente
September 26, 2024 (12:55)

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Last night, the Red Wings and Blackhawks faced off in their first preseason games, and a dirty Dylan Larkin hit let to a massive brawl that erupted.

This is one of the fiercest rivalries between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings and for such a long period of time in history in the NHL. Decades of its setting can be traced to the Original Six era, when both teams used to engage in regular play against each other. Their matches continue to be about everything from game intensity to competitiveness both on and off the ice. It gets poured into every game physically and emotionally. It is most especially true during the preseason games, as the younger players would like to make their statement.

Just like most of these preseason games, a number of players are usually competing to get on the NHL roster. Indeed, preseason allows prospects and fringe players to show themselves worthy of value in the regular season position that, at times, may be up for debate. This desperation to be different with the pressure between the two bitter rivals usually equates to higher physicality and intensity on the ice. The game between the Blackhawks and Red Wings wasn't an exception, as both were notably aggressive.

The nasty moment of the Wednesday fight-filled clash came mid-game in the form of a violent brawl after a hit to the head on Blackhawks prospect forward AJ Spellacy off of Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. But from there on, all hell broke loose, as it was apparent the penalty wouldn't be enough to ice the tempers that had flared on the ice, with referees quickly raising their hands for a penalty. The players and teammates from both sides plunged into an all-out brawl, and the bitter rivalry of the teams was soon re-ignited in a split second.

This hit on Spellacy has raised some questions as to whether additional discipline is required for Larkin. Immediately a penalty was called on the ice for the dangerous high hit, but a lot of fans and analysts alike feel that further punishment could well be called for, perhaps even a suspension. Hits to the head are an extremely sensitive topic in hockey with the league's push to prioritize player safety. It's one the NHL Department of Player Safety might want to take a closer look at, and suspension could be on the table depending upon their interpretation of Larkin's intent and just how hard the hit came down. With players fighting for a place on their NHL rosters, tensions can sometimes boil over, as we saw in the brawl after the hit on AJ Spellacy.

Whether or not further discipline to Dylan Larkin will be handed out, once more, this underlines how narrow the margin between aggressive playing and dangerous conduct in hockey can be. This surely keeps on being the reason for great and controversial moments for fans in the current season.