Joe Kocur, who has yet to play a full game with the New York Rangers since his arrival last week, could sit even more in the not-too-distant future if the NHL decides to throw the book at him.
Kocur faces severe disciplinary action stemming from his match penalty after the first period of the Rangers` 5-2 loss to the Blackhawks Sunday in Chicago.
Kocur, expected to play Wednesday night when the Rangers entertain his former team, the Detroit Red Wings, has incurred three stick-related game-misconduct penalties this season. He has served suspensions of one and two games.
The match penalty, assessed by referee Paul Stewart for Kocur`s intent to injure Hawks goalie Ed Belfour, doesn`t necessarily mean a fourth game misconduct and a three-game suspension, but a match penalty is considered more severe.
”Everything`s possible,” said NHL executive vice president Brian O`Neill, meaning a range from no punishment to a multigame suspension.
Taking into consideration Kocur`s history, it would not be surprising if three games would be the minimum sentence handed down by O`Neill, who has scheduled a noon hearing Thursday in Montreal with Kocur and Rangers General Manager Neil Smith.
Kocur has had nothing but problems since joining New York last week in a trade that sent Kevin Miller to Detroit. For the most part, the veteran right wing has taken on the role of a frustrated observer rather than the enforcer the Rangers had sought.
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He had to leave his Ranger debut in a 4-2 loss in Quebec Thursday with a mysterious chest injury. Kocur was taken to a Quebec hospital, was X-rayed and stayed overnight as a precaution.
And then there was that match penalty.
”Things are just not going well right now, not being able to finish a game,” Kocur said.
”I want to put all this behind me.”