Sunday, November 24, 2019

Viktor Arvidsson Jersey Card

Last night, the St. Louis Blues' Robert Bortuzzo cross-checked the Nashville Predators' Viktor Arvidsson irresponsibly twice - throwing him head-first towards the net piping, then forcing him down again as he's trying to get up, apparently pulling or tearing a leg or groin muscle:

While the NHL announced Bortuzzo had been suspended without pay for four games (a $67K loss), the Preds announced Arvidsson would miss four-to-six weeks with a lower-body injury.

Since Bortuzzo had already been suspended twice and doesn't seem to be getting the message, I would have suspended him for at least four games for each infraction; I would not have gone wholesale on this at all.

And as the above link to his suspension notes, he's been guilty of even more dangerous stickwork other than his previous two suspensions:
Over the years he has developed quite a track record of similar incidents where he uses his stick in such a manner.
A couple of years ago he had a similarly violent attack on New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson (resulting in a fine but no suspension) that you can see here.
In last year’s playoffs against the Dallas Stars he took exception to what he considered to be repeated dives from Esa Lindell by giving him another high cross-check. You can see that here.
Although the circumstances were different, he also injured Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin with a blatant cross-check away from the play and in front of the net. You can see that one here.
He also has an additional fine for another cross-checking incident involving Jordan Szwarz of the Boston Bruins late in the 2017-18 season (no video available).
It's been a tough season for Arvisson, whose 6 goals in 22 games this year is far off his usual 30-goal pace, especially considering last season's career-high 34 came in only 58 games. He was also one of the few Preds players to put up numbers in the postseason that could compare with their regular-season output.

Here's hoping he comes back strong enough to finish the season on a high note and that it doesn't affect the rest of his prime.

Here he is wearing Nashville's yellow (home) uniform on card #GJ-VA from Upper Deck's 2018-19 Series 1 set and UD Game Jersey sub-set:
It features a white game-worn jersey swatch from the away uniform.

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