Overview
- Player Safety announced the six-game ban Tuesday after holding an in-person hearing Monday, and McAvoy will serve it to open the 2026–27 regular season.
- The incident came with about 1:31 left in Game 6 on May 1 after Zach Benson tripped McAvoy, who got up and delivered a two‑handed slash; McAvoy received a major and misconduct, and Benson only drew a minor and no further discipline.
- The NHL said the act was deliberate and outside the run of play, and it cited McAvoy’s prior suspensions and a fine as factors in setting the length.
- McAvoy can appeal the ruling, and reporting that cites The Athletic estimates he will forfeit just over $300,000 in salary during the suspension.
- The case follows standard NHL procedure in which in‑person hearings signal a potential ban longer than five games, and postseason incidents by eliminated players carry over to the next regular season.