Tkachuk Suspended Four Games for Hit

St. Louis forward Keith Tkachuk was suspended for four games without pay by the NHL on Tuesday for hitting Minnesota forward Wes Walz in the head with his stick during a game Sunday.

Tkachuk will lose $487,804.84 in salary. He also was suspended for one game in March 2002. Because Tkachuk is a repeat offender, he forfeits salary based on the number of games in the season (82), rather than the number of days (180).

In the Blues’ 3-1 loss to the Wild on Sunday, Tkachuk cross-checked Walz to the ice. Tkachuk was given a match penalty for intent to injure but said he never tried to hurt Walz.

“Mr. Tkachuk is a repeat offender who used his stick in a dangerous and inappropriate manner,” said Colin Campbell, NHL executive vice president and director of hockey operations. “Blows with the stick to the head area continue to be unacceptable.”

Tkachuk will be eligible to return March 7 at Detroit.

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The Ottawa Senators acquired forward Vaclav Varada and a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft from the Buffalo Sabres for forward Jakub Klepis.

Varada, who spent parts of eight seasons in the Buffalo organization, has seven goals and four assists in 44 games this season.

Klepis was Ottawa’s first-round pick, 16th overall, in last year’s draft.

From Associated Press