NHLPA to appeal suspension of Red Wings’ David Perron

The NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) has officially filed to appeal the six-game suspension of Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron, the organization announced Tuesday.

The appeal will go directly to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, though if Bettman decides not to grant the appeal, Perron can go to an independent arbitrator.

Perron was handed the suspension following an incident that took place during Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin collapsed to the ice when he was hit in the head area by Mathieu Joseph and Parker Kelly.

Perron went after Artem Zub in retaliation, catching the defenceman with a cross-check to the head. Perron was assessed a five-minute match penalty for intent to injure.

The Red Wings forward was offered an in-person hearing for the cross check, which gave the league the option to suspend him for more than five games.

Perron’s suspension is the longest since February 2022, when Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was banned for six games following an altercation with Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry.