Blues' Janssen Suspended For Five Games
 

TORONTO -- St. Louis Blues forward Cam Janssen has been suspended for five games, without pay, as a result of a late hit to the head delivered to an unsuspecting opponent during NHL Game #911, Feb. 13 against the Washington Capitals, the National Hockey League announced.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Janssen will forfeit $14,248.70. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Janssen was assessed a five-minute major for interference for hitting Capitals' forward Matt Bradley at 5:52 of the first period.

Janssen will miss games at Phoenix on Mar. 2, at Dallas on Mar. 4, at Colorado on Mar. 6; at New York Islanders on Mar. 11 and at Columbus on Mar. 13. He will be eligible to return on Mar. 14 at Minnesota.

You could see this one coming, hopefully this can be sort of a positive thing because DJ King will get to play some because the Blues staff seems unwilling to dress both.

Yeah, at least King (hopefully) gets some playing time now.

That was deserved, that was one nasty hit.

Returns against Minny.Boogie time!

Cam shoulda just done this to Bradley and he woulda only got 4 games;)

YouTube- Matt Bradley vs. Daniel Carcillo

Not too surprised and it seems like a pretty fair suspension.

I really doubt Cam had the intention of injuring Bradley like that though. He's an honest player. Oh well. At least we'll see D.J. King.

Not that I'm arguing the suspension, but why did they take so long to issue it? Yes it's the Olympic break, but that doesn't mean the NHL front office was asleep, does it?

Seems fair.

Comments from Janssen

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/

He's "honest" in the sense that he'll hit everything that moves, and if he throws a blatantly dirty hit, he'll stand up for it and take on anyone who comes calling. You really cant say that about many of the guys who end up in these exact situations, so despite some people believing that CJ is a dirty player, he's actually as honest as they come (in that respect). He may throw as many (if not more) dirty hits than most players in the league, but he's one of the few guys who will engage with any fighter on the opposing squad after knowing he was in the wrong. You have to respect that, even if you hate him.

I wonder if we will see much of Janssen the rest of the season if King plays well, don't know if they will dress both guys down the stretch.

I think alot of it will have to do with Kings play. If he's hitting and scoring, Cam will ride the pine. Then you have to hope King stays healthy.

I had forgotten about this hit with the Olympic break and everything, and the NHL taking its time making a decision over their little vacation. But the punishment seems pretty close to what I expected for the play, especially since Janssen has a record with the league.

For the first week of the Olympic break most players disappear and make plans for vacations. I wouldn't be surprised if they postponed it just for that.

Admire your pass and you shall be punished.