The NHL handed Phoenix Coyotes winger Paul Bissonnette a 10-game suspension after he left the bench to engage in a fight against the Los Angeles Kings during an exhibition game on Sunday.
Bissonnette left the bench during an altercation to try and go after Jordan Nolan, who leveled Coyotes defenseman Rostislav Klesla minutes earlier. Nolan received a minor penalty for his hit, which saw Klesla leaving the ice on a stretcher. During Nolan's shift back onto the ice following his penalty, Bissonnette left the Coyotes bench to go after Nolan.
Bissonnette was given a 10-minute game misconduct for leaving the bench during the scrum, and was cited a 10-game suspension afterwards via the language in Rule 70.10.
Although the hit Nolan delivered to Klesla was rather vicious looking, it was a legal hit within NHL rules and he received no supplemental discipline.
Sarah McLellan with the Arizona Republic notes Bissonnette will lose $37,820.51 in salary. He will be eligible to return on Oct. 24, where chance has it the Kings host the Coyotes.
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