The National Hockey League announced today that the New York Rangers have been fined $250,000 for their public comments on Tuesday, May 4.
The New York Rangers were fined $250,000 on Thursday for publicly calling the NHL’s head of player safety, George Parros, “unfit to continue in his current role” after the league declined to suspend Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson following a season-ending hit to Ranger’s star forward Artemi Panarin on May 3.
According to the Rangers, star forward Artemi Panarin suffered injuries from the scrum that will remove him from play for the remainder of the NHL regular season. The NHL opted to fine Wilson $5,000 for roughing against the Rangers’ Pavel Buchnevich, but declined to suspend the Capitals winger for his hit on Panarin.
In a statement, the NHL said “it is terribly unfair to question George Parros’ professionalism and dedication to his role and the department of player safety”
“Public comments of the nature issued by the Rangers that were personal in nature and demeaning of a League executive will not be tolerated,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “While we don’t expect our Clubs to agree with every decision rendered by the Department of Player Safety, the extent to which the Rangers expressed their disagreement was unacceptable. It is terribly unfair to question George Parros’ professionalism and dedication to his role and the Department of Player Safety.”
The New York Rangers in less than 72 hours lost their best player to injury, fired their president and general manager, and will likely see another player suspended. They are also out a quarter-million dollars in the latest chaotic chapter for the storied franchise.
Wilson was fined $5,000 for roughing against Rangers player Pavel Buchnevich. The uproar dates to Monday, when Washington’s Tom Wilson was involved in a scrum against the Rangers that left New York star Artemi Panarin injured and unable to finish the final three games of the season.
Wilson was fined $5,000 for roughing against Pavel Buchnevich but not suspended, prompting the Rangers to issue a statement calling the decision a dereliction of duty and saying Parros was unfit to remain in his job.
