Predators' Zachary L'Heureux has just received his suspension punishment from the Department of Player Safety
The Department of Player Safety has decided to suspend Nashville Predators' Zachary L'Heureux after he was involved in a controversial slew foot.
Nashville Predators rookie Zachary L'Heureux has been suspended three games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for a slew foot against Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon.
While Jared Spurgeon's status remains uncertain, the Preds will now be without their physical rookie for the next three games.
Even though this is Zachary L'Heureux's first suspension at the NHL level, a history of disciplinary action at both the junior and minor league levels is easily noticeable.
In 2023-24 with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, L'Heureux had gotten a two-game suspension for sucker-punching an opponent, and another one-game suspension for fighting after the game, but finished the season with 48 points and 197 penalty minutes in 66 games, which are examples of the skill and grit that comes with him.
Before turning pro, L'Heureux spent time in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads, where he had nine suspensions over three seasons for everything from fighting to unsportsmanlike conduct and a 10-game ban for jabbing fans with his stick.
That, along with the kind of mix of offensive talent and physicality the Predators found alluring, was why they picked L'Heureux in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
With the nine points (4G-5A) that L'Heureux has put up through 33 games played in his rookie NHL season, he's developed into a hard-hitting force on the fourth line for the Predators.
His aggressive style, however, now has him facing disciplinary action at the league level. The NHL Department of Player Safety has been quite clear: such dangerous plays, like slew footing, will not be tolerated.
This three-game suspension needs to serve as a notice for L'Heureux that from here on, he needs to temper his physical play. Long-term success for him with the NHL will depend on whether he can balance tenacity with discipline.
More to come.
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