Nazem Kadri Suspended for Cross-Checking Luke Glendening

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Monday that Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri will be suspended four games for his hit on Detroit Red Wings center Luke Glendening on Saturday. 

The suspension rules Kadri out for the remainder of the regular season.

The 25-year-old earned a two-minute penalty for cross-checking at the 7:23 mark of the second period in the Maple Leafs' eventual 3-2 loss to the Red Wings. The NHL Department of Player Safety cited Kadri's cross-check to Glendening's head as the reason for the punishment:

Sportsnet's Chris Johnston noted Kadri's history as a repeat offender and how much it has cost him:

Steve Dangle of Sportsnet made light of those numerous infractions:

The Leafs have already been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. They sit dead last in the Eastern Conference with 67 points. In that respect, Kadri's suspension won't have a significant impact on Toronto over its final four games.

The timing couldn't be much worse for Kadri, though, as he enters free agency this offseason. He has tallied 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 76 games this year, so he obviously brings some value on the ice. Any potential suitors in the offseason, however, might be turned off by his habit of creating problems for himself.

The fact that he will end the 2015-16 season suspended will do nothing to strengthen his bargaining power this summer.