Robert Bortuzzo suspended for 2 games

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Robert Bortuzzo has been suspended for 2 games for his hit on Devils forward Jaromir Jagr.

Pittsburgh defenseman Robert Bortuzzo has been suspended 2 games for interference on New Jersey forward Jaromir Jagr. http://t.co/Ck7O9QdCjg

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 3, 2014

From where I sit, the league's logic is consistent. Two games is pretty much the standard first time suspension, and Bortuzzo has never been suspended before in his NHL career, despite being a big, physical defenseman. However, in this case he didn't have to hit Jagr in this situation in the way he did, and these are the type of hits that the league is trying to reduce, thus the suspension. It's consistent with other suspensions around the league, and that will be that.

For the Penguins, it's unfortunate timing. Kris Letang (groin) has been placed on IR and will miss next game, so now recent call-up Brian Dumoulin will make his NHL season debut next game. The Pens are also down to six defenseman and may choose to make another call-up from the AHL.