NHL Fans Slam Officiating After Trevor Zegras’ Brutal Hit on Michael Rasmussen Leads to Suspension

Sunday night at the Little Caesars Arena was anything but ordinary. The Detroit Red Wings may have clinched an overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks, but all eyes were glued to one incident — Trevor Zegras’ brutal hit on Michael Rasmussen. The shocking shoulder-to-head blow left hockey fans reeling, and now, the NHL has stepped in with a decision that’s only fueled the fire.


The controversy peaked when Ducks forward Trevor Zegras delivered a high hit to Red Wings center Michael Rasmussen during the second period. Rasmussen, clearly not in possession of the puck, was blindsided by Zegras — a move that instantly sparked outrage.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety didn’t hold back. Zegras has now been slapped with a 3-game suspension without pay, a punishment accompanied by a fine of $89,844 — a dent in his nearly $6 million salary. The league clarified their stance, stating:
“Players who are not in possession of the puck are never eligible to be checked… Contact is made outside the window where a check may be legally finished. In addition to the lateness, what causes this hit to rise to the level of supplemental discipline is the significant head contact on this play, combined with the force.”
While this marks Zegras’ first suspension since being drafted in 2019, the ruling hasn’t exactly settled the storm.

Despite the vicious hit, what really ignited fan fury was the referees' failure to call a penalty during the game. Many fans didn’t hold back, accusing the refs of dropping the ball. One fan fumed on social media:

“So he’s going to have a “hearing” about the hit, but none of the refs called a penalty on it?! Is that how we want the games to be reffed? Trust me, I’m all for a physical game, but aiming for a guys head with him not looking? That’s unsportsmanlike behavior.”
Another questioned how the refs let it slide even after reviewing the replay:

“There wasn’t even a call on this. That ref crew was atrocious.”
Zegras himself seemed to deny the severity of the hit, visibly shaking his head after the replay aired. But fans weren’t buying it — and their anger has now shifted not just toward the player, but the officials.
With Trevor Zegras benched for the next three games, the Ducks will have to push forward without one of their key forwards. But the bigger issue seems to lie ahead for the NHL. Fan distrust in officiating is growing, and this latest incident only adds more fuel to the fire.
For now, all eyes remain on how both the league and the referees handle future controversial plays — because fans are clearly watching every move.
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