Sam Bennett to receive no discipline for hit on Radim Simek

Sam Bennett will not be receiving any supplemental discipline for his late hit on Radim Simek in the closing seconds of the San Jose Sharks' 8-5 loss to the Calgary Flames last night, as confirmed by Sportsnet's John Shannon.

Sam Bennett will receive no further discipline for his hit on Sharks’ adman Radim Simek.

— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) January 1, 2019

With 25.8 seconds left to go in the game and the result all but confirmed, Bennett laid into Simek with a predatory hit, making contact with the 26-year-old defender well after Simek had passed the puck to Barclay Goodrow.

Cheap shot by Flames' Sam Bennett and the Sharks bench is livid! pic.twitter.com/5I2sMP7skj

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) January 1, 2019

As shown above, Bennet’s skates didn’t leave the ice and the head was not the primary point of contact. However, the check cames well after Simek surrendered possession of the puck and appears reckless and malicious, as Bennett had ample time to dampen the force behind his hit or abandon it altogether.

In the aftermath of the play, Pete DeBoer called the hit “predatory” and Joe Pavelski called it “gutless.” Observers around the NHL were outraged by the lack of supplemental discipline, with former NHL winger and traumatic brain injury activist Daniel Carcillo skewering the Department of Player Safety for putting player health at risk by refusing to enforce stiff fines and consistent standards of play.

There is currently no update on Simek’s health, although the defenseman appeared to be injured immediately following the hit.

San Jose next plays Calgary on Feb. 7 at the Saddledome.

It’s safe to say Bennett will not be warmly received by the Sharks.