Boynton Given One Game Suspension For Throat-Slash Gesture

The NHL preseason has just begun, and so has the handing down of punishments by the league office. On Thursday, Chicago Blackhawks' defenseman Nick Boynton was given a one game suspension by the league for making a throat-slashing gesture toward Tampa Bay Lightning forward Blair Jones during a preseason game on Wednesday. The gesture made by Boynton occured after the two engaged in a pretty heavy round of fisticuffs.

As can be seen in the video, Jones went right for Boynton after the defenseman checked one of his Lightning teammates straight to the ice. They grappled for a bit and then Boynton unleashed a few rights. But once Jones could get himself loose, he dropped Boynton with a left-handed bomb to take the victory. Boynton appeared to have a bit of a bloody mouth and the need to save some face by waving his hand in front of his throat and saying what appears to be, "I'm unfriending you on Facebook later." Or something like that - I never did learn how to read lips.

While I want to say this is an overreaction by the league, I'll actually support it. Nothing good ever comes from slashing someone's throat, and I can't imagine this is the image the NHL wants put forth to its fans. However, it's apparently still not as bad as using the term "sloppy seconds" in a pregame interview.

Boyton may continue to play in the remaining games on Chicago's exhibition schedule. He will sit out the team's regular season opener at the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 7.