What Else Warrants a Six-Game Suspension Under George Parros?

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May 13, 2026 - 17:03

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What Else Warrants a Six-Game Suspension Under George Parros?

The Boston Bruins will play the first six regular-season games without Charlie McAvoy.

The NHL Department of Player Safety (DoPS) handed him a suspension on Tuesday for a slash on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson on May 1, with 91 seconds left in the Bruins season. McAvoy was taken down by a Benson slewfoot, one that the NHL deemed to be “dangerous,” and then retaliated by taking his stick and swinging at the arm.

McAvoy has now been suspended three times in his NHL career.

Since George Parros was named the Senior Vice President of the DoPS in September 2017, there have been 243 suspensions, though not all of them have been for on-ice actions (see: John Chayka, Shane Pinto, or Valeri Nichushkin).

Only 26 of those suspensions have been for six games or longer, and McAvoy is the fifth player to receive exactly six games under George Parros:

TOM WILSON

The last six-game suspension handed out was to Washington’s Tom Wilson.

In March 2024, Wilson laid a hit on then-Leafs forward Noah Gregor. After the hit, he drew his stick back, swung, and connected with Gregor’s face. The NHL called the play “reckless” and “irresponsible,” citing that Wilson was in control of his stick the whole time.

Wilson has been suspended six times in his career, with this being his most recent.

DAVID PERRON

In December 2023, David Perron of the Detroit Red Wings was suspended for a cross-check on Senators defenseman Artem Zub. After a play that left Detroit captain Dylan Larkin hurt and on the ice, Perron circled back, charged at, and connected with two hands on the stick, dropping Zub to the ice.

The DoPS said that the play was “not a hockey play,” and is not a case where both players are mutually engaged.

The Red Wings argued that it was not a check to the head, but Perron’s stick connected with Zub’s helmet/head.

Perron had no suspension history but still got hit with a six-game ban. He appealed and was denied.

BRAD MARCHAND

Remember this one?

Brad Marchand threw a punch at then-Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry with 25 seconds to go during a 4-2 loss in 2022. A scrum followed, and then Marchand skated by Jarry and jabbed him with his stick.

In the moment, Jarry said, “How about that f—-ing save?” But Marchand’s overreaction, coupled with his history, landed him a six-game sentence. He appealed but was not successful.

Marchand got to know the DoPS pretty well during his time in Boston. He has been suspended a league-record eight times. None were longer than six games.

ZAC RINALDO

Then-Coyotes forward Zac Rinaldo was hit with a six-game suspension on December 27, 2017. Rinaldo unloaded a right hook on an unsuspecting Samuel Girard. Girard did not drop his gloves nor engage with Rinaldo before the punch.

Rinaldo hit Nathan MacKinnon, then Girard skated by. In his explanation, Rinaldo said he thought Girard’s approach signaled he was looking for a fight.

Rinaldo had been suspended four times by the NHL before the hit. During the 2016 season, while he was with the Bruins, he was simultaneously suspended by the NHL and AHL for separate incidents.