Anaheim Ducks Could Be Without Antoine Vermette

The Anaheim Ducks will not be able to dress Antoine Vermette after his slash on linesman Shandor Alphonso.

Or so it seems.

As TSN’s Bob McKenzie highlighted the league rules, Vermette is automatically suspended for 10 games.

He did not skate with the team for practice today. There is also a possibility that Vermette will appeal the charges.

He appeared frustrated with Alphonso after losing a face-off to Mikko Koivu.

With 12 minutes left to play in Tuesday’s game versus Minnesota, Vermette received a game misconduct.

He went to the locker room for the remainder of the game, as Anaheim would go on to win 1-0.

It’s Unlike You:

Antoine Vermette’s action is shocking for a couple reasons.

He’s not a young player still learning how to adapt to the NHL game. Vermette has been in the league for 13 years, having 968 games under his belt.

And aside from being a good player, what’s allowed him to maintain a career in the NHL this long was by abiding to the rules.

This suspension would be the first time in his career that he’s faced such scrutiny and penalty for violating league rules.

Thumb Twiddling Time:

Antoine Vermette was the biggest off-season signing for the Anaheim Ducks prior to the start of this season. And has proved to be a valuable asset, even at the age of 34.

He has chipped in 22 points in 58 games for his new club.

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In addition, Vermette solidified Anaheim’s centerline with his face-off mastery, leading all players with a 62.4 winning % which is best in the league.

He is also a large reason why the team as a whole is tops in the league for that category.

But what will Anaheim do to replace his production in his absence?

Seven of the next 10 games will be against play-off bound teams.

So I would expect Nate Thompson to take more face-offs and minutes.

One of the main reasons we pried him away from Tampa in 2014 was for his face-off skills in the first place.

That would be interesting to see though because he’s average career low ice time with 9 this year.

Probably because he just came back from injury. But if needed, I’m sure he can step up to the plate no problem.

Final Thoughts:

Regardless of the severity of the slash, you can’t touch the official in any way. If you do, you know you have the pay the consequences.

Next: Anaheim A Favorite To Land Matt Duchene

He’s fortunate that his brain fart didn’t cost him more games. Which would not only harm him but the team. Especially with the event occurring in the second half.

Per OC Register’s Eric Stephens, he will lose $97,222.22 in salary.