Cody McLeod has in person hearing for hit on Niklas Kronwall

#Avalanche Cody McLeod has earned an in-person hearing with the #NHL for his hit on #Redwings Nik Kronwall. Date TBD.
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) October 18, 2013

Here's the good news, Colorado Avalanche forward Cody McLeod is set to have the book thrown at him. The Colorado Avalanche forward has in person hearing for hit with the NHL Department of Player Safety, for his dirty, bush league, unnecessary hit on Red Wings Defenseman Niklas Kronwall. Logic is, with an in person hearing, he's going to get a least a 5-game suspension. If I was McLeod, I would be a bit worried. Buffalo Sabres "Rat" Patrick Kaleta was given a 10-game suspension after an in person hearing for his dirty hit on Jack Johnson. Of course, he's going to appeal that suspension.

NHL.COM -- Avalanche left wing Cody McLeod will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety for a boarding incident during Thursday's game against the Detroit Red Wings at Pepsi Center.

McLeod was offered the opportunity for an in-person hearing as required by provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for any suspension that can exceed five games.

At 2:13 of the first period, McLeod was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Detroit's Niklas Kronwall. Kronwall remained down and was taken from the ice on a stretcher. He did not return. After the game, the Red Wings announced Kronwall sustained a concussion and cuts to his right ear.

The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: boarding. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

Detroit won the game, 4-2.

New Jersey's Ilya Kovalchuk retires from the NHL at age 30

New insider? "@AngelinaLawton: Guess I was 7 months early on this secret :) #kovalchuk @NHL @NHLDevils pic.twitter.com/tWeIpErkZc”
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) July 11, 2013

As announced today, the Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk retired from the NHL leaving the New Jersey Devils holding the bag. I am thankful that I don't have  Ilya Kovalchuk in a keeper fantasy hockey league.

NHL.COM --- Kovalchuk's departure frees up more than $6 million in salary-cap space for the Devils, allowing the club to be more active in free agency. But the Devils will have to pay between $250,000 and $300,000 per year in cap-benefit recapture fees for each of the next dozen years.

"Right now we just have to take a step back to go forward," Lamoriello said. 'We'll just have to re-evaluate what our options are and do the best we can, but we'll be ready to play when September comes."

Kovalchuk leaves the NHL after 11 seasons; he had 417 goals and 399 assists for 816 points in 816 games. After being taken by the Atlanta Thrashers with the first pick in the 2001 NHL Draft, Kovalchuk had 29 goals as a rookie in 2001-02. He scored at least 30 goals in each of the next nine seasons, including six in a row with at least 40 from 2002-03 to 2009-10.

With Ilya Kovalchuk departure, the Devils free up six million dollars that that they can use to go after a forward to take Kovalchuk's place, of course forwards like that don't grown on trees. With the departure of Kovalchuk, former Fighting Sioux forward Travis Zajac is now the top paid forward with the Devils. The Devils also have about 10 million dollars to work with under the cap. Kovalchuck is now going to play for SKA in the KHL.

(Video) Andrew Ference to have hearing for his elbow on Mikhail Grabovski

After I saw this elbow, I had a feeling that Andrew Ference was going to get some scrutiny from the Department of Player Safety for this elbow on Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovskiand, and he will. Ference has a hearing today with the Department of Player Safety. I have to think that he will be getting at least a game suspension for this hit.

Word out of Boston. #Bruins Ference will have an #NHL discipline hearing mid-afternoon 2day for his elbow on #Leafs Grabovski.
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) May 2, 2013

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• Andrew Ference elbow on Mikhail Grabovski (ndgoon.blogspot.com)