Philadelphia Flyers fourth-line winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel was fined $2,687.50, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for kneeing Florida Panthers forward Mason Marchment during Saturday’s 4-2 loss.
The incident occurred at 3:48 of the third period when Aube-Kubel left his leg dangling in the path of Marchment, who collided with the knee before falling to the ice. He was assessed a minor penalty for tripping, but the NHL has attempted to eliminate that play over the years as it often leads to serious injuries.
Aube-Kubel overstepped the line of his job, which calls for providing grit and tenacity on a hard-working, physical fourth line.
The problem is that the 25-year-old has struggled to make any sort of an impact this season working with Nate Thompson and Zack MacEwen. Aube-Kubel has yet to record a point this season while the opposition has already scored four times while he’s on the ice. His 40.54 CF% is also an underwhelming stat.
Whether it’s overcompensating or pressing, it has led to an issue with penalties. After a season in which he committed 44 penalty minutes in 50 games last season, Aube-Kubel has already committed a pair of infractions in just four games.
That kind of play will likely grate the nerves of head coach Alain Vigneault, who recently praised Aube-Kubel despite the slow start.
“I think [he] is working extremely hard. He’s done everything he was asked to do in the summer,” Vigneault said. “He was our best-conditioned athlete, him and [Travis Konecny]… There were a couple of turnovers that I’m sure he’s very aware of that those are plays that he can make, but he’s a powerful young man that is learning the game and like our team, he needs to improve. That’s what he’s working on right now.”
