The Ducks are preparing to be without Antoine Vermette as the veteran forward is expected to receive an automatic 10-game suspension from the NHL for his abuse of an official Tuesday night.
Vermette is facing a ban for using his stick to strike linesman Shandor Alphonso during the third period of the Ducks’ 1-0 win over Minnesota. A game misconduct was awarded and his action set the stage for further punishment.
A report was filed Wednesday with the NHL’s director of hockey operations, where the game officials offered their recommendation on how Vermette’s violation of Rule 40 should be applied and the corresponding penalty to be invoked.
An official announcement will be made Thursday. A conference call took place Wednesday between the NHL and the players’ union to review the officials’ interpretation. An NHLPA spokesman said Vermette can appeal the penalty and request a hearing with league commissioner Gary Bettman.
The request must be made within 72 hours after notification of the penalty and it would be an in-person hearing with Bettman if it is considered a Category II offense. And that is possible for Vermette, who’ll likely fall under subset 40.3, which carries a minimum 10-game suspension.
As it is written, “Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official in any matter, which physical force is applied without intent to injure, or who spits on an official, shall be automatically suspended for not less than ten (10) games.”
Vermette has never been suspended or fined by the league in his 13-year NHL career, but his history won’t matter in this case. There is no gray area from the league’s end on supplemental discipline regarding the intentional contact with officials.
If he is banned for 10 games, Vermette would not be eligible to return until March 12, when the Ducks host Washington. Signed to a two-year free agent deal in August, Vermette has eight goals and 14 assists in his first season with the team.
The Ducks planned for Vermette’s absence by calling up forward Corey Tropp from their American Hockey League affiliate in San Diego. A team official said they had enough room under the salary cap to make such a move. Tropp has yet to play for Anaheim but has posted 12 goals and 25 assists in 42 games with the Gulls.
Vermette was moved to left wing by Ducks coach Randy Carlyle on the recent trip. The Ducks figure to leave Rickard Rakell at center rather move him back to wing opposite linemate Corey Perry and reunite the two with Ryan Getzlaf.
Contact the writer: estephens@scng.com
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