Jets' Neal Pionk, Maple Leafs' Jason Spezza to have hearings with Dept. of Player Safety

After what Auston Matthews aptly called a “gong show” Sunday night in the third period of the Toronto Maple Leafs-Winnipeg Jets game, several players are set to receive supplementary discipline. Jason Spezza has been offered a (via Zoom) hearing for kneeing Neal Pionk, opening him up to a suspension of more than five games. Pionk will also have a hearing (not an in-person one) for his knee on Rasmus Sandin, which started the festivities. Wayne Simmonds, who was involved in several altercations, has been fined $2,250 for his cross-check on Jansen Harkins.

Things kicked off with Pionk’s hit on Sandin, which went unpenalized by the on-ice officials. The Maple Leafs, incensed by the hit that took out their young defender — Sandin left the game immediately and did not return — had several responses, including Spezza’s targeted hit on Pionk while he was in a vulnerable position.

With the hearing offered, Spezza could face a suspension of more than five games. That would open him up for an appeal process as well, which would be presided over by a neutral arbitrator. Pionk meanwhile can only receive a maximum of five games, though that is unlikely given the precedent for dangerous kneeing incidents.

Simmonds escapes suspension, as his incidents were penalized by the on-ice officials and did not rise to the level of further supplementary discipline. His fine in this case is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.