Aaron Dell has landed himself in hot water in the eyes of the NHL and its fans after this dangerous hit.
On Tuesday, in the first period between the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators, Drake Batherson was pursuing a puck behind the visitor’s net when Aaron Dell stepped out of his goal crease to challenge him. Dell got in Batherson’s path to the puck and delivered an elbow to the shoulder, causing the Senators’ forward to crash awkwardly into the boards.
Batherson left the game after that hit, favoring his ankle, and never returned to the game. Dell was not assessed a penalty for interference on the play.
It was later revealed that Batherson suffered a high ankle sprain after the hit and will be out long-term for Ottawa.
Goalie Aaron Dell injures Drake Batherson pic.twitter.com/VxL6uxv7Y8
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) January 26, 2022
Dell was suspended three games on Wednesday after a meeting with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, but this is not the first time the goaltender has roughed up his opponents out of the crease. Back in mid-January, Dell put a shoulder into Nashville’s Eeli Tolvanen along the boards…
#AaronDell isn't new to questionable actions on the ice. @TSNJR @TSNSimmer pic.twitter.com/jrjgvnw34G
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) January 26, 2022
Then back in 2019, Dell caught Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights with a similar elbow to the Batherson play.
pic.twitter.com/QR8OoOnjFa The answer is… maybe https://t.co/ZMC78qkUvF
— Karlsson Defense Attorney (@SnipeCity420) January 26, 2022
NHL fans were absolutely furious with Dell on social media after Batherson’s injury. Partly because the hit was a reckless and unnecessary one, seemingly only made with the intent to injure as there was no reason for Dell to make an attempt on the puck with his teammate right there. And also because Batherson was set to make his first All-Star appearance in February after putting up 34 points in 31 games, an event he’ll have to miss because of his injury.
Senators’ head coach D.J. Smith called the entire situation “ridiculous” and called out Dell for his long history with bad hits.
"Any other player in the game that does that, you know, you have to go out and face the music." -DJ Smith
Drake Batherson is out long-term (ankle) and will miss the All-Star game after taking a hit from Buffalo goalie Aaron Dell. #Sens pic.twitter.com/ySzw0GeHSo
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) January 26, 2022
Here’s how NHL fans reacted to Batherson’s injury and Dell’s suspension.
