As Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa recovers from the hit Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres inflicted on him in Game 3, Torres will be talking to the NHL about it.
A league source confirmed that Torres will have a hearing with Brendan Shanahan as soon as possible for his hit on Hossa last night. It is also appears it will be an in-person hearing, which means Torres could get a suspension of six or more games.
The Blackhawks forward was taken off on a stretcher after Torres hit. Replays showed that Torres left his feet, his shoulder going to the head of Hossa, who did not have the puck at the time. Hossa was taken to the hospital but was released after undergoing some tests. The Blackhawks released a statement after the game, stating that Hossa would continue to be monitored, and we anticipate a full recovery in a timetable yet to be determined.
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Torres has a prior history; he was suspended four games near the end of last regular season and was suspended two games earlier this season. He was not suspended for his high hit on Brent Seabrook in Game 3 of the Blackhawks first-round series with the Vancouver Canucks, which happened a year to the day before the hit on Hossa.
Coach Joel Quenneville called it a brutal hit after the game, a 3-2 overtime loss for the Blackhawks. None of the four officials saw the hit, and therefore no penalty was called on the play.