San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was fined $8,378.38 by the NHL on Thursday for his role in an altercation with Minnesota forward Dany Heatley at the end of the Wild's 4-2 loss Wednesday.
Heatley, who was injured on the play and could miss time, and Vlasic were battling near the goal when Vlasic cross-checked Heatley to the ice. Heatley got up and swung his stick at Vlasic, missing him. But the swing caused Vlasic to retaliate. Vlasic slashed Heatley across the arm and he drove Heatley to the ice. Vlasic was given a major penalty and game misconduct for slashing.
The total was the maximum Vlasic could be fined, based on the league rules that state the most a first-time offender could be fined is the lesser of $10,000 or one-half his daily salary. Vlasic was not suspended.
The report from the NHL said that in conversation with Heatley, the league was told his injury didn't come from Vlasic's slash, but the ensuing scrum.
Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that Heatley is out Thursday's game in Los Angeles and the team has recalled center Mikael Granlund from the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. Minnesota coach Mike Yeo said Wednesday it would be "awhile" before Heatley could return, the paper reported.
The Wild are already without center Matt Cullen, who suffered a lower-body injury on Monday.
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