Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri takes part in the pre-game skate prior to the first period of NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, B.C. Saturday, March 14, 2015.The Canadian Press
The NHL has suspended Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri four games for his hit to the head of Edmonton's Matt Fraser.
Kadri skated by Fraser behind Toronto's net and hit the Oilers forward in the head with his left shoulder. Fraser left the game and did not return while Kadri was given a two-minute minor penalty.
A disappointed Kadri said he will not appeal the suspension, which will cost him US$141,463.40 in salary.
"I'm not happy about it, but what are you going to do at this point? Obviously it wasn't my intent to injure the player and I hope he's doing all right," Kadri told reporters.
Kadri is a repeat offender under the league's CBA as he was suspended three games for a hit to the head of Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom in 2013.
The 24-year-old was playing in only his second game for the Maple Leafs since returning from a team-issued three-game suspension for off-ice behaviour.
Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report