Phoenix Coyotes winger Raffi Torres has been suspended indefinitely pending a disciplinary hearing with the NHL following his hit on Chicago Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa.
According to NHL.com, the hearing was initially scheduled for Wednesday, but moved to Friday upon request by Torres and the NHL Players' Association.
The suspension and timing of the hearing means Torres will likely miss Thursday's Game 4 in Chicago.
Hossa was taken to the hospital Tuesday night after Torres laid a vicious hit on him during the first period of Tuesday night's playoff matchup.
Torres, skating at high speed, appeared to leap off the ice and turn his left shoulder into the head of Hossa, who lay motionless for several minutes before being stretchered off.
The Blackhawks winger was later released from the hospital after undergoing tests. Team physician Michael Terry said he expected Hossa to make a full recovery, but did not set a timetable for his return.
Torres, who was not penalized on the play, could face a lengthy suspension upon the league's review of the hit.
Tuesday night's hit on Hossa came a year after Torres, playing for the Canucks at the time, used his shoulder to make contact with the head of Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook in Game 3 of last year's first-round playoff series.
Seabrook missed Game 4 and 5 of the series with a concussion.
"I hope [Hossa] is alright," Torres said after the game. "As far as the hit goes, I felt like it was a hockey play, just trying to finish my hit."
The Coyotes won the game 3-2 in overtime to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
