After hearing, no supplemental discipline for Joslin

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Derek Joslin will not be subject to supplemental discipline following his hit on Florida Panthers forward Kris Versteeg during Tuesday's game.

Brendan Shanahan, NHL senior vice president, player safety and hockey operations, made the decision following a hearing Wednesday afternoon.

With 1:52 remaining in the first period Tuesday night, Joslin hit Versteeg as the Panthers forward rushed the puck through the middle of the ice in the Carolina zone.

"Any time a player gets a hit to the head, we immediately look deeper into the play," Shanahan said. "Sometimes, the actions surrounding the hit to the head lead us to quickly make a decision that this is not worthy of the supplemental discipline process. This one was a difficult one for us. I decided in the morning that while I wasn't sure whether or not there would be supplemental discipline, I was sure enough that I had more questions about the hIt and that a hearing process was necessary."

No penalty was called on the play. Versteeg was treated by trainers on the bench but returned to play in the game.

"It really came down to that I felt that Versteeg not only was stumbling forward, but also his head was moving both forward and laterally just prior to contact," Shanahan said. "I think that significantly contributed to the hit. (Versteeg's) head is falling down and out as Joslin is making contact to Versteeg's face."

In 77 career NHL games, Joslin has just 43 penalty minutes, and never has been subject to supplemental discipline

Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK