Bettman upholds Kadri's 8-game suspension

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri's eight-game suspension, the league announced Monday.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld the eight-game suspension that was assessed to @Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri. https://t.co/exiedImtOd pic.twitter.com/oADcAMQRUk

- NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 31, 2021

Kadri will now appeal the suspension to a neutral arbitrator who will have the final say, according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

The 30-year-old was handed the ban after delivering a hit to the head on St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk during Game 2 of Round 1. Kadri has already served three games of the suspension, which means he will be eligible to return no earlier than Game 7 of Colorado's series against the Vegas Golden Knights.

This marks the third time Kadri has been suspended in the postseason and the sixth time overall during his career.

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