The National Hockey League has fined Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri $5,000 for a throat-slashing gesture towards Calgary Flames defenceman Mark Giordano.

The fine is the largest allowed under the current collective bargaining agreement and will go towards the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred late in the first period of the Flames' 4-3 win in Calgary after Giordano floored Kadri with a hard hit. Upon each player returning to his respective bench, the 25-year-old London, Ontario native made the gesture towards Giordano.

"Emotionally, I was pretty frustrated at that hit," said Kadri after the game. "I mean, I'm not sure if it was a clean hit or not, but I've been told it was, but it certainly didn't feel that way at the time. It felt like I got hit right in the head and I was just kind of furious."

Giordano told reporters that "the league will deal with that kind of stuff if they want to."

Because of precedent, Kadri could have faced a suspension for the incident. In the 2010 preseason, then Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Nick Boynton received a one-game ban for a similar gesture made towards Tampa Bay Lightning forward Blair Jones.

Under the CBA, Kadri would have been considered a "repeat offender" after having been suspended in the past 18 months. He received a four-game ban last March for a check to the head of Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Fraser.

In 52 games this season, Kadri has 11 goals and 17 assists.