Maple Leafs' Jason Spezza Suspended For Six Games

Toronto Maple Leafs' forward Jason Spezza has been suspended six games for his knee to the head on Winnipeg Jets' defenseman Neal Pionk.

Toronto’s Jason Spezza has been suspended for six games for Kneeing Winnipeg’s Neal Pionk. https://t.co/DDlM0Tdzw3
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 8, 2021

The play happened on Sunday night in what ended up being a gong show of a third period. Pionk had just delivered a brutal knee-on-knee to Maple Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin, which Pionk was also suspended two games for. Spezza was on the bench when it happened and was absolutely livid. Next thing you know, the veteran center immediately ended up on the ice and made a beeline towards Pionk for what turned out to be an ugly hit that could have been much worse.

Spezza is new to the NHL's Department of Player Safety, that's for sure, so even seeing him be suspended is a rare occurrence - let alone for this long. The 'vintage' forward has been great in Toronto and for someone on a league minimum contract of $750,000, it's a steal of a deal. Spezza is currently on pace for over 20 goals this season.

For now, he'll sit for six contests, and watch Toronto host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Leafs Nation is hoping this suspension doesn't slow his game down from here. Good thing the Leafs were on a serious heater before this week, as it's going to be tough sledding without Spezza, Sandin and Mitch Marner.