The day after Alex Ovechkin and Andrei Svechnikov got into a fight during Game Three of the Stanley Cup playoffs, Andrei’s older brother, Evgeny Svechnikov, threatened Ovechkin in a cryptic Instagram story that has since been taken down.

Renaud Lavoie, a reporter for TVA Sports, asked NHL Deputy Commissioner if there would be any action taken. Daly said it was a “stupid post” and that there would be “an appropriate response.” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who was in attendance at the game, has not publicly commented on this recent development.

I asked NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly what’s the league reaction to Evgeny Svechnikov post on Instagram tagging Alex Ovechkin: “Stupid Post. There will be an appropriate response.” @DetroitRedWings @Capitals @NHLCanes — Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) April 16, 2019

Evgeny Svechnikov is part of the Detroit Red Wings system. Nothing else has been said about the incident by them, the Capitals, or the Hurricanes.

The NHL’s social media policy, as of 2011, does stipulate that misuse of social media can result in additional action.

All League/Club personnel and Players are reminded that giving, making, issuing, authorizing or endorsing any statements (including through social media) that: have or are designed to have an effect prejudicial to the welfare of the League, the game of hockey or a Member Club; or are publicly critical of officiating staff may constitute a violation of the NHL By-Laws and/or Constitution and may subject them to potential discipline.

It’s unknown what the NHL would use as precedent for a veiled social media threat or how they would determine what constitutes an “appropriate response.”

Full RMNB Coverage of Game Three

Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington