Salei cross-checked Modano into the boards during the second period of Saturday's game. Modano, who hit the boards face-first, sustained injuries to his head, face and neck.

	McKenzie

	Salei

Tests to determine when Modano will return were scheduled for Wednesday.

"I have all the respect in the world for him," Salei said. "It is just a bad accident. It's the result (not the incident itself) why I'm being punished."

Salei wasn't the only one on the Ducks to be punished. Two of his teammates were also suspended by the league for separate actions in the same game.

Defenseman Pascal Trepanier received a five-game penalty and forward Jim McKenzie will sit for four.

Salei will forfeit $109,756 in salary and will be eligible to return Oct. 29 against the Washington Capitals.

"I think it's a hair light, but it's a start," said Dallas' Brett Hull, who jumped to Modano's defense after the cross check and got into a fight with Salei. "Hopefully it will be (enough), but you don't know. It's a part of the game that has to go. That kind of rough play cannot be tolerated."

Colin Campbell, the NHL's executive vice president and director of hockey operations, has said Modano was fortunate the injuries were not more serious.

"This was a dangerous act by Mr. Salei against an opponent who was in a vulnerable position and unable to defend himself," Campbell said. "Everyone connected with hockey knows that a hit or a push from behind on a player is an extremely dangerous play and can result in serious injury."

All three suspensions began Tuesday against the Phoenix Coyotes. Because league rules prohibit teams from replacing suspended players on the 23-man active roster, all 20 of the remaining players on the Mighty Ducks' roster were in uniform.

The Ducks lost 4-0 to the Coyotes.

Trepanier was suspended for hitting Dallas center Joe Nieuwendyk with an elbow to the head midway through the third period. Trepanier is eligible to return Oct. 16 at Florida.

"Our stance against hits to the head remains very much in place," Campbell said. "Such behavior will not be tolerated."

McKenzie was suspended for initiating an altercation with Stars defenseman Darryl Sydor, and persisting although Sydor offered no resistance and was defenseless.

Nieuwendyk returned to play against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, but Sydor remained out indefinitely with a fractured eye socket.

"I think they're sending a message," Nieuwendyk said after Tuesday night's game. "It's an unfortunate thing that had to happen -- three ugly incidents in one game."

McKenzie, who will be eligible to return Oct. 15 at Tampa Bay, said Sydor started the incident by throwing an elbow.

"You saw the tape," McKenzie said. "Did I start the fight? The tough part is the league handles the decision and that's all there is to it."

Trepanier forfeits almost $10,000 in salary, while McKenzie loses close to $13,000. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The longest suspension for an on-ice infraction was 21 games given to Washington's Dale Hunter for a late hit on a celebrating Pierre Turgeon after Turgeon scored against the Capitals during the 1993 playoffs.

Tom Lysiak of the Chicago Blackhawks was suspended 20 games in 1983 for intentionally tripping an official. Three others have received 15-game suspensions.