First suspension of 2023-24 likely on the way after dirty, dangerous blindside hit

During Tuesday night's season opener between the newly crowned Stanley Cup Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, and their expansion rivals, the Seattle Kraken, Vegas forward Brett Howden threw an open ice hit on Brandon Tanev. It was a blindside hit and the primary point of contact was Tanev's head. Tanev hadn't even taken possession of the puck yet, as he was in the process of accepting a pass. It's a dangerous hit and exactly the type that need to be eliminated from the game. Tanev did manage to leave the ice under his own power, albeit with difficulty. Howden was assessed a match penalty.

The DoPS announced today that Howden will have a hearing for the hit, meaning that a suspension is likely. This isn't a case of hockey getting "soft" as some would put it. A blindside hit to the head like this is nothing short of cowardly and predatory. In my opinion, Howden should be sitting for the next 5 or 6 games. With Parros running things, I doubt he gets more than 2 games.