TORONTO -- Defenseman Rostislav Klesla of the
Columbus Blue Jackets will sit out two regular-season games for a questionable
preseason hit, the first player suspended by the NHL this season.
Klesla
Klesla was suspended Tuesday for the hit on Chicago forward
Tuomo Ruutu, who is out four weeks with a sprained MCL in his left
knee. Klesla will miss the opener Oct. 6 against Vancouver and the
game the following day against the Blackhawks.
Klesla got a five-minute major for clipping Ruutu on Friday
night.
Ruutu, Chicago's first pick and ninth overall in the 2001 NHL
entry draft, signed a two-year, $3.75 million contract on the eve
of training camp. He played only 15 games last season because of
back and ankle injuries.