The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has reportedly opted not to pursue further punishment for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield following a vicious fight with Washington Capitals forward Connor McMichael.
In the third period of a lopsided 5-1 Hurricanes victory Wednesday, Chatfield and McMichael found themselves in a bit of a brawl.
What started as a typical hockey scrap escalated when Chatfield executed a dangerous takedown, slamming a helmet-less McMichael to the ice. It was a move that looked more like a UFC highlight than an NHL play, and is highly frowned upon.
The incident, part of a chaotic seven-minute stretch that saw 120 penalty minutes handed out, sparked immediate outrage among fans and analysts who saw it as a reckless endangerment of player safety.
As you can see from the video, McMichael is dangerously close to having his head hit the ice.
Jalen Chatfield Escapes Further Discipline
Some fans, as evidenced by the X post above, thought Jalen Chatfield should have been suspended for the rest of the season. Others thought he at least deserved something handed down by the NHL.
But alas, it is not to be.
Despite the uproar, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety has reportedly decided not to impose supplemental discipline on Chatfield, a decision first reported hockey reporter Frank Seravalli on Thursday.
Not expecting any supplemental discipline for #Canes Jalen Chatfield from @NHLPlayerSafety for his takedown of #allcaps Connor McMichael during their fight on Wednesday night.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 3, 2025
That ruling has left many fans scratching their heads, given the league’s stated emphasis on protecting players from head injuries.
“Uh since when are slewfoots to nearly slam someone’s head into the ice acceptable?” one fan wondered.
Another wrote, “I guess the @NHLSAFETYDEPT wants to wait until a player gets their skull caved in on a similar leg sweep in the near future.”
They’ll Be Meeting Again Soon
Critics argue that the takedown, in which Jalen Chatfield grabbed McMichael’s jersey and used his leg to fling him down, warranted at least a fine or a short suspension to set a precedent.
However, the lack of a specific rule banning such wrestling-style maneuvers in fights seems to have tied the league’s hands.
Fortunately, McMichael avoided serious injury, but the incident has reignited debates about the fine line between hockey’s physical tradition and outright danger.
The fallout from this non-call is far from over, especially with the Hurricanes and Capitals set to face off again on April 10th.
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