Leaf forward Komarov suspended 3 games for hit on Rangers captain McDonagh

Komarov was given a match penalty for the hit.

In the 12 games that Paille appeared in for the Rangers, the penalty kill dropped to 28th overall in the league, which has them operating at a 77.5% rate.

He will forfeit U.S. $47,580.66 to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund and will eligible to return for Toronto’s February 27 game at Montreal.

“I’m not looking to hurt anyone, I just complete my hits, Komarov added”.

“I hope it goes well, said Komarov few moments before meeting with officials of the department of security of National Hockey League players”. While McDonagh is attempting to make a play with the puck, this is not a case where a player’s sudden or explosive movements may change a legal body check into an illegal check.

The New York Rangers announced that Ryan McDonagh did not suffer a concussion from Leo Komarov’s hit and that Daniel Paille has been placed on waivers.

McDonagh, the Rangers’ captain, has 26 points in 54 games this season and is a plus-13 for the Rangers, who sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 72 points (33-19-6). His absence for the next three games further depletes a Leafs lineup that’s already missing forwards Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul, among others.

Komarov has clean discipline history, so three games for a first offense is a good first message, even if you might believe it should be stiffer.

“Sometimes, it’s like that and I feel bad, and I feel bad for Ryan too”.

The Rangers were off on Friday, so McDonagh’s condition will not be known until Saturday’s practice at the earliest.

“There was no ill intent or malice in what happened, said Babcock”.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story.