Written by Dani Toth | 22 March 2012

Earlier today it was reported by all the usual in the know people that the NHL informed Chicago and Duncan Keith that he would have a phone-hearing with Brendan Shanahan tomorrow at 2pm ET. A phone hearing incates that the suspension would be 5 or less games.

But late breaking news tonight by Bob McKenzie it seems that things have changed. Here's what we learned:

Rather strange proceedings going on with the Duncan Keith discipline hearing for his elbow on Daniel Sedin.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 23, 2012

Hours later, NHL indicated it wanted an in person (potential to suspend for 6 or more) hearing instead.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 23, 2012

Duncan Keith has not agreed to waive his right to an in person hearing but neither has the in person hearing been confirmed.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 23, 2012

I am told no decision of any kind will be made until the morning. So all of this very much remains up in air but it's become complicated.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 23, 2012

So an in-person hearing opens up the suspension to be 6 games or more. It's not guaranteed that it will be 6+, but it allows Shanahan to do go that route if he so chooses. No idea if that means the scheduled hearing tomorrow will change from its scheduled time but this this tweet from Kypreos is also interesting and contradicting McKenzie:

Hearing tonite #NHL has in fact decided to ask #Blackhawks D. Keith to waive his right to in person hearing for elbow on #Canucks D. Sedin

— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) March 23, 2012

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