Rangers fined $250,000 for public statement against league, George Parros

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The NHL has fined the New York Rangers $250,000 for their public statement released May 4 that called for the job of Head of Department of Player Safety, George Parros. The statement also called for the indefinite suspension of Tom Wilson for his “horrifying act of violence” in Monday’s game against the Rangers. 

Wilson was fined $5,000 for punching the back of the head of Rangers forward Pavel Buchnevich and drew ire from the Rangers for his scrum with Artemi Panarin. The Rangers weren’t satisfied that Wilson wasn't suspended, and released their statement. 

A day later, the team fired team president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton — though the moves were reportedly not related to the team’s statement. 

Wednesday night, the Capitals beat the Rangers 4-2 in a game that featured six fights and 141 penalty minutes in total.

“Public comments of the nature issued by the Rangers that were personal in nature and demeaning of a League executive will not be tolerated,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in the release. “While we don't expect our Clubs to agree with every decision rendered by the Department of Player Safety, the extent to which the Rangers expressed their disagreement was unacceptable. It is terribly unfair to question George Parros’ professionalism and dedication to his role and the Department of Player Safety.”

The expensive week for the Rangers did not end there. The department of player safety suspended Buchnevich for one game due to a high cross-check on Capitals forward Anthony Mantha.

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