Nyquist offered in-person hearing, faces lengthy suspension for vicious high stick

Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist has been offered an in-person hearing for high sticking Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon, the NHL's Department of Players Safety announced Sunday evening.

The date and time of the hearing has yet to be determined, but the announcement means Nyquist is in line for a lengthy suspension of six games or more:

If the infraction might require a suspension of six games or more, the offending Player is offered the opportunity to an in-person hearing. In this case, the Player remains suspended until the hearing takes place. If the Player waives his right to an in-person hearing, the hearing will be conducted by phone.

You can watch video of the incident below. Nyquist retaliated after Spurgeon sent the forward to the ice with a cross-check, and while Nyquist said what happened was unintentional, he's going to be held responsible for his actions:

A disappointing season for Nyquist - he has only seven goals and 29 points in 56 games - is about to get much worse.