Stars’ Benn suspended 2 games for hit on Stone
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Greg Wyshynski, ESPN
Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn has been suspended two games — coming in the playoffs or regular season — for cross-checking against Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.
Benn was ejected less than two minutes into the Stars’ 4-0 loss at home in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals for cross-checking Stone, the Vegas captain, around the jaw while Stone was flat on the ice.
“It’s important to note that Benn is in control of this play at all times and makes the decision to deliver a forceful cross-check to a prone player,” the NHL said in its ruling Wednesday afternoon. “This is simply an unnecessary decision by Benn and it is delivered with sufficient intent and force to merit supplemental discipline.”
Sources told ESPN that the NHL landed on a two-game suspension for a few reasons. As the match penalty Benn was given indicated, they believed there was intent to injure on what was a “dangerous” play to an opponent in a prone position.
Why wasn’t this suspension more in line with the one-game ban handed to Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo for his intentional slash on the arm of Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl in Game 4 of their second-round series? The answer is location: The NHL felt that Benn targeting Stone’s neck or head was worse than an arm.
The NHL has typically handed out a one-game suspension for cross-checks during the course of play — like Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen in 2020 and Los Angeles Kings forward Blake Lizotte this season. But dropping a stick down on a vulnerable player required something more substantial for Benn.
The Stars trail 3-0 in the series and will be without Benn for Thursday’s elimination game in Dallas. Benn will miss the team’s first regular-season game in 2023-24 if the Stars are eliminated in Game 4.
Earlier Wednesday, Benn, when speaking to reporters, described it as a “heat of the moment” play that led to the match penalty Tuesday night. He said he needed to be more responsible with his body and stick.
“That was my first shift of a game on home ice, when you’re pretty jacked up and you’re down 1-0. So you want to try and get your game going. Emotions are high and it’s just an unfortunate play,” Benn said. “I put my team in a tough situation, so it’s pretty unfortunate.”
“It didn’t feel good,” Stone told reporters Wednesday. “I think I was more a little bit surprised. It was early in the game, it was my first shift of the game. I didn’t expect to get stomped on like that. But I could hear the ref making sure I was all right and I felt okay to get up. The refs made sure the right call was made.”
When asked if he would change anything on the play, Benn said he believed that he fell on Stone.
“Obviously, didn’t want to take a five-minute penalty, but when the game happens fast, emotions are high. Obviously I would’ve liked to not fall on him and I guess use my stick as the landing point,” he said.
The NHL also fined Stars forward Max Domi $5,000 on Wednesday for a slashing penalty against Stone at 18:09 of the third period.
Domi wasn’t penalized on that play but he was involved in an earlier mess at the end of the second period when he hit Vegas defenseman Nicolas Hague from behind, then threw a couple of punches at Hague. Domi was assessed cross-checking and roughing minors plus a 10-minute misconduct penalty.
In addition to their captain, the Stars will also potentially be without forward Evgenii Dadonov for Game 4, as he is doubtful with an injury.
Information from Reuters was included in this report.
Tyler Johnson has announced his retirement after playing 13 NHL seasons and winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Johnson called it a career in a lengthy message posted on social media Monday. Johnson had battled injuries in recent years and is set to turn 35 on July 29.
“As a short kid from a small town, I saw my chances of playing in the NHL as very slim,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “But my family — my parents, Ken and Debbie, and my grandparents — believed in me when doubt clouded my mind. Their unwavering faith turned that dream into reality.”
Listed at 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds, Johnson won at just about ever level, capturing the Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup championships in 2008 with his hometown Spokane Chiefs and the Calder Cup championship with Norfolk of the American Hockey League in 2012.
The NHL brought more success, as he skated in 863 regular-season and playoff games since debuting in the league in 2013, putting up 498 points. Johnson was part of the Lightning’s core when they reached the final in 2015 and helped them hoist the Cup back to back in 2020 and ’21.
Johnson finished with Chicago, playing three seasons with the Blackhawks, and Boston, signing with the Bruins early last season following his training camp tryout.
“After a lifetime devoted to hockey, I’m ready for what’s next,” Johnson said. “This moment is bittersweet, but I leave the game with no regrets.”
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth re-signed center Jack McBain to a five-year contract worth $21.25 million on Monday.
McBain will count $4.25 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season, which was announced a little more than 24 hours since the team elected salary arbitration with the restricted free agent forward.
“He is a big, strong, physical player who competes hard on a nightly basis and brings a gritty toughness to our group,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Jack is an important part of the championship-caliber team we are building, and we look forward to having him back on our roster for the foreseeable future.”
McBain, 25, is coming off setting a career high with 27 points and playing all 82 games. He was one of six players to skate in every game of the organization’s first season in Salt Lake City.
“Jack’s versatility as a player, his care for his teammates and his demonstrated willingness to do whatever it takes to win, are all critical elements to our future team success,” president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said.
McBain has 82 points in 241 games with the franchise, which moved to Utah from Arizona. Since debuting in April 2022, he ranks third in the league with 832 hits.
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