TORONTO — Anaheim's Chris Pronger was suspended eight games today by the NHL for stomping on the leg of Vancouver's Ryan Kesler.

It's the eighth career suspension for Pronger, who will miss the game against St. Louis on Saturday night. He'll be eligible to return April 6 against the Phoenix Coyotes.

The altercation occurred in the 4-1 win over the Canucks on Wednesday night when Pronger and Kesler became tangled behind the Vancouver net. As Pronger turned to head back up ice, replays show him stepping on Kesler's leg as the Canucks forward lay on the ice.

Pronger's most recent ban of one game came during the Stanley Cup final with Ottawa in June when he elbowed Dean McAmmond in the head.

Pronger will forfeit $609,756.08 in salary, with the money going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Earlier this season, the NHL suspended Minnesota's Chris Simon 30 games for stomping on the leg of Pittsburgh's Jarkko Ruutu.