Wings’ Brendan Smith draws 8-game suspension

The Blackhawks seemed satisfied with the eight-game suspension Detroit defenseman Brendan Smith received from the NHL on Friday for Wednesday’s hit to the head of Ben Smith.

Brendan Smith must sit the final three preseason games and the first five of the regular season.

“It’s in line with the way things have been going,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “In the past it wouldn’t have been as severe, but this is a new area they’ve been looking at.”

It was yet another stiff suspension handed down by Brendan Shanahan, the NHL’s new vice president of player safety, for a hit to the head or from behind.

“Although (Ben Smith) slightly changes his path, the positioning of his head does not significantly change so the onus remains on Detroit’s Brendan Smith to deliver a full body check,” Shanahan said. “Instead, Brendan Smith misses and recklessly targets his opponent’s head.”

Brendan Smith told reporters in Detroit he didn’t mean to hit Ben Smith in the head and that he had spoken with the Hawks rookie center.

“It’s a high-risk play when someone tries to cut to the middle,” Brendan Smith said. “It’s not an illegal play on him, and actually, he made a great move. I was actually trying to catch him, because he kind of had a step.

“It’s a tough play, but obviously, I was never targeting his head. I feel terrible about the outcome of what happened and I actually got in touch with him and just apologized and said in no intentions did I try to do that.”

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock thought the suspension was a bit steep.

“I thought it was a little extreme, to tell you the truth,” Babcock said. “In saying that, we’re not condoning anyone getting hit in the head.”

Brendan Smith can only serve the suspension while in the NHL. He has yet to make the Red Wings roster and could play if returned to the AHL.

Ben Smith remains day to day with a concussion.

Sharp hopeful:Patrick Sharp practiced Friday for the first time since under going an emergency appendectomy prior to training camp and would like to be ready for this Friday#146;s season opener at Dallas.#147;It#146;s a matter of passing tests,#148; Sharp said. #147;The doctors will make their decisions.#148;Sharp still has stitches from the surgery and has been told to go slow skating and shooting.Take it easy:Joel Quenneville said Dave Bolland#146;s upper body injury #147;is not serious.#148;That should calm those in Blackhawks Nation who feared Bolland missing from practice the last two days meant problems from last season#146;s concussion or his back surgery from two years ago.