Duncan Keith didnt want to talk much about what happened on Wednesday night, be it the high hit he put on Daniel Sedin put on him or vice-versa. Right now, hell just wait for the NHL to decide his fate.
Keith had his phone hearing with Brendan Shanahan this afternoon and said hell respect any decision the NHL makes regarding his elbow to Sedins head in the Blackhawks 2-1 overtime victory over Vancouver. It was another heated game in a rivalry thats had many, and the Blackhawks may have to prepare for a few games without their top defenseman.
Well see what happens, Keith said after Fridays practice. The NHL will make a decision, I respect all the decisions they make and well see from talking to them what happens.
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TSN reported that the NHLPA and Keith agreed to waive Keiths right to an in-person hearing. The NHL requested that late Thursday night; his hearing had been set to be via phone earlier in the day. Hearing by phone means a suspension is five or fewer games while an in-person hearing could lead to six or more games.
Daniel Sedin hit Keith high in the first period on Wednesday night before Keith retaliated with an elbow to Sedins head. Asked about that first hit on Friday, Keith said, Im not going to get into everything about whats happened.
Coach Joel Quenneville said the Blackhawks will accept the leagues decision.
Well see how that plays out. Weve got a lot of respect for the way (the league) handles things, so well see what happens, said Quenneville of Keith, who has no previous suspensionsfines in the league. (Keiths) never done it before, theres no history there. Whether its the play or the emotions or the rivalry, a lot goes into it. Thats where its at.
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Yes, there were a lot of emotions in that game, as there always is when the Blackhawks and Canucks meet. Corey Crawford said heading into that game that the Blackhawks had to be careful about getting too engaged in the Canucks style of play. Quenneville said Friday that being smart has to come first.
Every game weve seen, whether playoff game or a regular-season game, you have to control your emotions and make sure you think, he said. There are certain switches, youre just reactionary and in the moment of the game, theres just a reactionary move. Thats something well always focus on moving forward, whether its Vancouver or anybody. We need to be smart.
Thats for future games. For now, Keith and the Blackhawks will just have to wait and see what the NHL says.
I think Im a pretty stand-up player out on the ice, Keith said. Well see what happens.