yardbarker
Hayden Hodgson is scheduled for a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday regarding his elbow to the head of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke, the department announced. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen first reported the hearing.
The incident occurred at 11:15 of the second period during Thursday night's game between the Kings and the Ottawa Senators, following a dump-in by the Senators. According to the game broadcast, Hodgson was skating at 21 mph when he drove his left elbow into Clarke's head, sending Clarke crashing into the corner boards.
Hodgson was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit. Clarke, visibly shaken, managed to get to one knee before eventually skating off under his own power. Despite the hit, Clarke logged 11:37 of ice time and recorded an assist earlier in the contest, which the Kings won 6-5 in overtime.
Hodgson, who had played just under five minutes before his ejection, has a lengthy disciplinary history. The 30-year-old has appeared in only 24 NHL games but has accumulated 51 penalty minutes, including 24 in five games with Ottawa during the 2026-27 season. In each of his last three AHL seasons, he exceeded 100 penalty minutes, totaling nearly 600 in the American League. He also surpassed 200 penalty minutes in four ECHL seasons and over 300 in the OHL.
This is not Hodgson's first supplemental discipline as a professional. In February 2026, he received a five-game suspension for an elbow during a forecheck against the Cleveland Monsters on January 31. That marked his fourth suspension as a pro. Hodgson is in the second year of a two-year contract with an $850K average annual value.
Key Analysis
Hodgson's repeat offender status and consistent penalty totals across multiple leagues could weigh heavily in the NHL's decision. The hearing will determine whether further discipline, beyond the game misconduct, is warranted for the hit on Clarke.
Originally reported by yardbarker.