Duncan Keith has waived his right to an in-person hearing and will have his hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety over the phone on Friday afternoon, the department announced Thursday.
Keith was assessed a match penalty for intent to injure for high-sticking Charlie Coyle in the Blackhawks’ 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Keith was already suspended indefinitely for the infraction.
The Blackhawks defenseman was offered an in-person hearing on Wednesday; players being offered an in-person hearing mean the suspension could be six games or more. Keith has two previous suspensions, for five games (elbowing Daniel Sedin) in March of 2012 and one game (high-sticking Jeff Carter) in June of 2013.