VOORHEES, N.J. — Flyers forward Ryan White escaped suspension Monday by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety despite his reckless head shot during Sunday’s 2-1 shootout win in Detroit.
An NHL source confirmed there would be no supplemental discipline forthcoming.
The Courier-Post first reported White would be exonerated.
White had a high shoulder to the head of the Red Wings’ Tomas Jurco during his first shift just two minutes and 20 seconds into the game.
He received a match penalty for the hit, while the Flyers had to kill off a five-minute major, which they did. Jurco returned to the game, but played less than eight minutes.
Ironically, White’s only previous suspension came in April 2013 when he played for Montreal and threw an elbow to the head of Flyers defenseman Kent Huskins. He drew a five-game suspension.
Had White been suspended, rookie Jordan Weal may have entered the lineup Tuesday night against Toronto at the Wells Fargo Center.
NHL
Weal has been a healthy scratch for five games since being acquired from the L.A. Kings on Jan. 6 in a trade for Vinny Lecavalier, Luke Schenn and a draft pick.
“Jordan’s gonna come in the lineup when it’s the right time for our team,” Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said Monday afternoon prior to White’s review.
“I know that’s a pretty broad statement, but I do mean that. It’s not about any one individual player right now. It’s about what our team needs and we’ll evaluate that day-by-day.”