NHL Department of Player Safety Makes Official Decision on Jonatan Berggren's Cross-Check

During Toronto's 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, they had their short two game win streak snapped thanks to two goals from Jeff Petry and a strong Detroit defense. It could have been worse had Connor Dewar been injured off this cross check from Jonatan Berggren.

Berggren served a penalty in-game after the play in the second period for cross-checking meanwhile Dewar thankfully stayed in the game.

The Red Wings forward may have felt the wrath of the NHL and potentially faced further punishment howeverwill not face a suspension for the cross-check.

Instead the NHL decided to hand out some minor punishment, as it was announced Berggren has been fined $2,148.44, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for the play.

This is Berggren's first fine in his NHL career, but has faced punishment for a similar cross-check while playing in Sweden in the SHL back in 2020, being suspended three games while with Skellefteå for a cross-check to Djurgårdens IF defenseman Tobias Ekberg.

Berggren, 24, has four goals, two assists, and six points in 30 games played for the Detroit Red Wings in 2024-25.

Dewar has a point in 14 games for Toronto this season but was part of a strong fourth line with Steven Lorentz and Pontus Holmberg.

Toronto Maple Leafs fans and analysts quickly criticized the lack of a suspension for Berggren, saying the play warranted more than a fine.

James Mirtle of The Athletic said that Berggren should have received at the very least a one game suspension as the play on Dewar involved the head area.

Some fans asked for an explanation directly from the NHL to understand why the play only resulted in a fine to Berggren.

It's especially bad optics for the league when they fined Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson $5,000 for a reverse hit, a much more innocent and less malicious play.

Fans were clearly not happy as Morgan Rielly faced a five-game suspension for a cross-checking incident last season against Ridly Greig.

While it's good to see the league at least enact some form of discipline toward Berggren, but it feels like another case of Toronto getting the short end of the stick when it comes to the decision making of the NHL.