The NHL decided that Brad Stuart deserved to be suspended. The San Jose defenseman caught Rick Nash with an elbow that injured the Ranger forward. He was called for an elbowing minor during last night’s game.

Watching several replays, I felt it was more shoulder than elbow. However, he caught Nash up high. A league no no. Stuart has been suspended three games. Here’s more of an explanation from an NHL media press release.

     NEW YORK (October 9, 2013) — San Jose Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart has been suspended for three games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of New York Rangers forward Rick Nash during NHL Game No. 44 in San Jose on Tuesday, October 8, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Stuart will forfeit $55,384.62. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 2:32 of the first period. Stuart was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing.

For a full explanation of the Department of Player Safety’s decision, complete with video, please click on the following link: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=60&id=455148&lang=en

REACTION: League Deputy Brendan Shanahan perfectly details why Stuart got three games. Despite taking a good path without charging Nash, he pushed the left side of his body up making contact with Nash’s head. This was a clear violation of Rule 48. Illegal Check to the Head.

48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A hit resulting in contact with an opponent’s head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted. However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered.

Shanahan emphasizes that Stuart led with the shoulder. That wasn’t the problem. He also explains that after Nash received the puck, he kept his head up and moved it without ducking. This made him less vulnerable. Had Stuart not come up, it would’ve been just a solid check targeting the chest. Instead, it resulted in injury. Despite not having any history, he will miss the next three games and lose $55,384.62.

After further review, I agree with the suspension. Wonder what a repeat offender would have received? One Shanahan got right.