Rangers' Rempe suspended 8 games for hit on Stars' Heiskanen - ESPN

New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe was suspended Sunday for eight games for a hit on Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen «that violated multiple NHL rules,» according to the NHL Department of Player Safety.

Rempe is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. He was suspended four games last season for elbowing New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler in March. Based on his average annual salary, he will forfeit $80,000, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Rempe can appeal the suspension to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Since the suspension is over six games, he is also eligible to further appeal to a neutral arbitrator.

He did not play in the Rangers' 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon.

At 7:13 of the third period Friday night in the Rangers' win over Dallas, Heiskanen played the puck with his back to Rempe. The Rangers forward skated in, raised his arm and drove Heiskanen's head into the glass, causing the Dallas defenseman to fall to the ice and the players to come together in a skirmish.

Rempe was given a major penalty and a game misconduct for elbowing. Heiskanen finished the game for Dallas.

The NHL said Sunday that Rempe violated both boarding and elbowing rules on the play.

During the entire time leading up to the hit, «Rempe sees nothing but Heiskanen's back» as he approaches, NHL Player Safety said, putting the responsibility on Rempe to change his approach.

«Rempe explodes upwards into a hard check into a defenseless Heiskanen while at the same time extending his elbow and forearm up and into the back of Heiskanen's neck, driving Heiskanen dangerously into the boards and glass,» the department said in its ruling.

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