"What about Brady?" "Should have been 35 games": NHL fans react as Ottawa’s Nick Cousins gets fined $2,083.33 for elbowing Jacob Bryson

Ottawa Senators forward Nick Cousins has been fined $2,083.33 for elbowing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced the fine, which is the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The incident happened in Ottawa on Thursday during the third period and Cousins received a minor penalty for elbowing. The money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The NHL Player Safety shared the news on X on Friday.

"Ottawa’s Nick Cousins has been fined $2,083.33, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for elbowing Buffalo’s Jacob Bryson," NHL Player Safety tweeted.

Following the announcement, NHL fans reacted to it.

"What about Brady?," one fan wrote.

The fan questioned Brady Tkachuk's hit on Jason Zucker from behind in the first period. Tkachuk received a two-minute minor penalty for charging.

"Should have been 35 games (I did not see the play in question)," another fan commented.

"Was an expensive elbow in this matchup," one fan said.

Some questioned the fine, calling it insignificant for a professional player.

"Nothing for Amadio's elbow? Insane. Bryson wasn't even injured and Amadio is out w/ concussion," a fan said.

"Max penalties need to be revised. $2,083.33 is pocket change for an overpaid a** like Cousins. Min fine for intentionally elbowing a player and potentially causing harm should be in the range of $120,000 and a 5 game suspension. Goons like Cousins just laugh off a $2,000 fine," a fan commented.

"big deal he can afford it," another fan tweeted.

Nick Cousins and Senators lost 4-0 to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday

The Ottawa Senators lost 4-0 to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. Jack Quinn gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead with a wrist shot at 10:17 of the first period. Quinn scored again at 13:17 on a breakaway, making it 2-0.

In the second period, Dylan Cozens increased the lead to 3-0 after intercepting a pass and scoring. Ryan McLeod made it 4-0 at 10:22 when his pass deflected off Thomas Chabot’s skate into the net.

Ottawa struggled throughout the game and their defense could not stop Buffalo. Fans showed their frustration with boos as the Senators left the ice at the end of the second period. The loss added to Ottawa's four-game losing streak, where they’ve been outscored 15-4.