During the Colorado Avalanche’s 9-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes on March 31, 2021, top forward Nathan MacKinnon was fined $5,000 by the NHL for unsportsmanlike conduct. The fine, the highest allowed by the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, arose from MacKinnon’s conduct late in the third period, when he removed Coyotes forward Conor Garland’s helmet during an incident and hurled it at him.
The event happened with just over five minutes left in the game. MacKinnon and Garland were fighting along the boards when MacKinnon removed Garland’s helmet and threw it at him, smacking him in the head. The umpires gave MacKinnon a double minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct penalty, ultimately ending his night.
MacKinnon, known for his competitive nature and leadership on the ice, acknowledged the incident and its consequences. While he did not publicly comment on the fine, his actions during the game reflected a momentary lapse in judgement, likely fuelled by the intensity of the match and the physicality of the play.
The Avalanche’s head coach, Jared Bednar, addressed the matter, emphasising MacKinnon’s enthusiasm for the game. He stated that, while he encourages his players to channel their emotions productively, he recognises that such instances might occur during competition. Bednar was confident that MacKinnon would learn from the experience and remain focused on contributing positively to the team’s success.
The incident also highlighted the NHL’s ongoing efforts to strike a balance between player safety and the enforcement of rules governing sportsmanship and conduct. The league’s goal in awarding the maximum permissible fine without a suspension was to penalise the behaviour without materially affecting the player’s availability for future games. However, the ruling renewed debates about the effectiveness of financial fines in preventing unsportsmanlike behaviour, particularly among high-paid sportsmen.
Finally, Nathan MacKinnon’s fine for throwing Conor Garland’s helmet serves as a reminder of the NHL’s dedication to maintaining high on-ice behaviour standards. While the incident was an individual failure for the Avalanche forward, it emphasises the necessity of remaining calm and respectful of opponents, even in the high-stakes and emotional environment of professional hockey.