Bettman upholds Kadri's 8-game suspension

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri's eight-game suspension, the league announced Monday.

Kadri will now appeal the suspension to a neutral arbitrator who will have the final say, according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

The 30-year-old was handed the ban after delivering a hit to the head on St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk during Game 2 of Round 1. Kadri has already served three games of the suspension, which means he will be eligible to return no earlier than Game 7 of Colorado's series against the Vegas Golden Knights.

This marks the third time Kadri has been suspended in the postseason and the sixth time overall during his career.