McCann to Have NHL Hearing After Elbowing Sanheim

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jared McCann will have to answer to the league after elbowing Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim in the second period on Friday night.

The elbowing penalty at 14:40 of the period negated a Penguins’ power in a game the Penguins lost to Philadelphia 5-2.

Jared McCann has quickly jelled with new Penguins center Mark Jankowski, who has three points (2g, 1a) in two games. McCann has a pair of assists in the Penguins’ first two games.

If McCann is suspended, the penalty will force Penguins to recall a player from the taxi squad as the team currently has only 12 forwards on the active roster. Anthony Angello, Frederick Gaudreau who has 84 games of NHL experience with the Nashville Predators, or rookie Drew O’Connor would the call.

However, Kasperi Kapanen who serving his mandatory quarantine period after traveling from Finland could be active for the Penguins Sunday matinee against the Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins dropped both games of their two-game set to open the season against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Penguins were outscored 11-5 over the two games.

Since the NHL often takes into consideration the result of the play, Sanheim’s ability to continue playing should lessen McCann’s penalty. Sanheim finished the game Friday night with over 20 minutes of ice time.

The Penguins will play the Philadelphia Flyers six more times this season. The DoPS announced the hearing via Twitter Saturday morning.