Two Lightning Players Headed to Player Safety Hearings
Two members of the Tampa Bay Lightning — defenseman J.J. Moser and forward Scott Sabourin — will each have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday. The proceedings stem from separate incidents in a preseason game against the Florida Panthers that raised questions about player safety and disciplinary thresholds ahead of the regular season.
The Key Incidents
Sabourin’s actions in the opening minutes of the game drew the first major attention. At 2:18 of the first period, Sabourin was assessed a match penalty for roughing against Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad after a clash that led to Ekblad leaving the ice and not returning to the game. The incident helped color the flow of the contest, which ended in a 7-0 Panthers victory at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
The other incident involved J.J. Moser, who was given a major penalty for boarding, followed by a game misconduct at 13:58 of the first period. According to the league’s description of the play, Boqvist did not suffer a reported injury from the hit. Still, the discipline review will consider whether the hit constituted a boarding offense and whether any supplementary measures are warranted beyond the on-ice penalties already assessed.
Grounds for Review
For both players, the NHL Department of Player Safety is evaluating potential supplemental discipline on two fronts: boarding for Moser and roughing for Sabourin. The department retains the right to adjust the infraction after reviewing all available video and context surrounding the plays. The hearings will determine whether additional penalties, fines, or suspensions are warranted as the league continues to emphasize player safety and accountability in contact-heavy situations.
What This Means for the Lightning
With the regular season on the horizon, the Lightning will be watching closely as DPS renders its decision. The outcomes could impact line combinations, special-teams roles, and overall team strategy as coach and front office weigh the implications of disciplinary measures on roster depth. The league’s decision may also influence how the Lightning address similar hits going forward, reinforcing the need for physical plays to be within the rules of acceptable conduct on the ice.
Context in the League
Preseason games often serve as a barometer for how teams address aggressive plays and disciplinary standards. This incident pair underscores the NHL’s ongoing emphasis on player safety, particularly around body checks and roughing actions that can alter the momentum of a game or cause unintended injuries. The department of player safety’s ruling will likely be watched closely by teams across the league to gauge consistency in supplemental discipline across similar scenarios.
Next Steps
The hearing dates set for Monday will determine whether Moser or Sabourin face further penalties beyond the on-ice actions their penalties already implied. Fans and analysts will be attentive to the DPS’s rationale and any clarifications about what constitutes roughing and boarding in comparable situations. Until a ruling is announced, the Lightning will balance preparation for the upcoming season with the potential need to adapt their defensive and forechecking approaches in the wake of the review.
