Around the league (signings, RFAs injuries)

[Hockey Widow]

Imagine getting suspended without pay in your job for being accused of a crime, while you are still presumed innocent under the Constitution. Then imagine being suspended without even facing a criminal charge, and without any opportunity to prove your innocence, for months while the prosecutor dithers over an extremely weak case.

I have so many differing thoughts on this whole thing. Does anyone know off hand if this is typical for the league to suspend a player 1) while under investigation and/or 2) once charges are laid.

I get once there is a conviction. Was that AV's goalie suspended during the investigation? Can't remember and did that count on the cap?

There is no question that the league is trying to be politically correct here. Is it an overreaction on the eve of the Rice incident or is it fair? I take violence against women very seriously but I also believe in the notion of innocent until proven guilty. Sure he is getting paid so his livelihood is intack but his career is takng a hit. Is that fair? A tough question but domestic violence is a harsh issue. For him though, he can still play in the KHL and make millions.

[Topper]

The NFL is the first to my knowledge of leagues struggling to deal with this. They have completely bungled it with Ray Rice.
Initially a two game suspension
public outcry
admit they blew the call
video of the incident airs
indefinite suspension and release from the team (NFL does not have guaranteed contracts, though guarantees may be negotiated)
player and PA appeal and win
reinstated but now needs to find a team that will hire him.

The 49rs dealt with McDonald differently. Hosted their own internal investigation and loudly pronounced that they would take no action allowing due process in the courts first.

If what I'm reading in the sports news is correct, Peterson has a better chance of finding work meaning Russel Peters is right. Beat your kids. (not your wife)

It is a no with public relations debacle for the player, team and league.

TSN is reporting that the NHL is more than pissed with the Kings over this and is threatening a total ban of Voynov from the team facilities and staff. The relationship between Kings management and the league has been toxic with Bettman telling them they need manage their cap better and ownership asking if they need to have a cap cushion for bank bank robbers

[Hockey Widow]

On the eve of the Blues signing Brodeur the Ducks signed Bryzgalov today. Teams that felt players like Miller, Halak and Hiller were expendable now going to has beens for help n net due to injuries and sub par play. While teams like the Islanders, Canucks and Flames ride the standings.

Funny, most pundits felt the weak link for both the Blues and Ducks would be in net. Funny the Ducks didn't try to land Miller who would have loved being near LA.

[Cornuck]

Zemgus Girgensons currently has 399,356 votes to get into the game in Columbus. Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban is the next highest, with 240,362. Crosby currently has 218,672 votes.

Latvians are stuffing the ballots. And why not? It's time for Rory 2.0.

LINK

[ESQ]

Does anyone know off hand if this is typical for the league to suspend a player 1) while under investigation and/or 2) once charges are laid.

I don't think the NHL has ever suspended a player for off-ice criminal charges or investigations. Off the top of my head, Ryan Malone (drugs), Ed Belfour (drunk and disorderly), Byfuglien (drunk-boating), Craig MacTavish (vehicular manslaughter) - all were charged and faced no league or team discipline.

Was that AV's goalie suspended during the investigation? Can't remember and did that count on the cap?

Varlamov was not suspended by the team or league, but as Daly says, "Circumstances were different in Varlamov. I can’t get more specific than that.”

There is no question that the league is trying to be politically correct here. Is it an overreaction on the eve of the Rice incident or is it fair? I take violence against women very seriously but I also believe in the notion of innocent until proven guilty. Sure he is getting paid so his livelihood is intack but his career is takng a hit. Is that fair?

I wouldn't have had a problem with the suspension if Voynov had been charged immediately. But with the DA taking months to decide whether to lay charges, without even having the opportunity for his day in court, I think the suspension is totally unfair.

TSN is reporting that the NHL is more than pissed with the Kings over this and is threatening a total ban of Voynov from the team facilities and staff. The relationship between Kings management and the league has been toxic with Bettman telling them they need manage their cap better and ownership asking if they need to have a cap cushion for bank bank robbers

Nice to see the League shitting all over a different franchise for once

[Island Nucklehead]

Does anyone know off hand if this is typical for the league to suspend a player 1) while under investigation and/or 2) once charges are laid.

I don't think the NHL has ever suspended a player for off-ice criminal charges or investigations. Off the top of my head, Ryan Malone (drugs), Ed Belfour (drunk and disorderly), Byfuglien (drunk-boating), Craig MacTavish (vehicular manslaughter) - all were charged and faced no league or team discipline.

Probert was suspended indefinitely by the league for trying to smuggle coke across the border. Suspension was lifted after his prison/halfway house term was up.

[Hockey Widow]

I remember years past Roy and before him Palmateer were also involved in alleged off ice domestic abuse scandals. Neither was charged. But that's history. Of course you have the Danny Heatley incident as well.

But recent history I just can't think of a player being suspended before his day in court. As much as I deplore domestic violence this smacks of political correctness. Perhaps there was an admission that he caused the injury whereas with that AVs goalie denied he ever hit the woman?? I dunno, just doesn't sit right with me.

[Strangelove]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/h ... e21165676/

Not sure what the problem is here.

The league has the right to decide whether or not to suspend a player in a case such as this (from the article):

The NHL imposed the suspension under Section 18-A.5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which gives the league the right to suspend a player who is facing a criminal investigation "pending the league's formal review and disposition of the matter where the failure to suspend the player during this period would create a substantial risk of material harm to the legitimate interests and/or reputation of the league."

Part of this most-recent decision is no doubt due to the fact "the times they are a changin".

Here's what our old pal Manny had to say (from the article):

Veteran Montreal Canadiens centre Manny Malhotra characterized the league's decision to immediately suspend Voynov as "pro-active," and said "I'm glad to see it."

The 17-year veteran, a member of the NHL Players' Association bargaining committee during the 2012-13 lockout, said domestic violence is "a sensitive issue, but also a very serious one ... you want to be ahead of the curve."

According to Malhotra, the league's decision to act before Voynov has his day in court was defensible - NHL players are public figures, which distinguishes them from employees in most other work environments.

"This is a pretty special workplace, only 700 of us get to be part of it," said Malhotra - and it is in the interests of both the league and its players to be held to a high standard of behaviour.


The league gets to make the call in each & every case of alleged off-ice bad behavior.

I'm good with that.

[Per]

Zemgus Girgensons currently has 399,356 votes to get into the game in Columbus. Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban is the next highest, with 240,362. Crosby currently has 218,672 votes.

Latvians are stuffing the ballots. And why not? It's time for Rory 2.0.

LINK

I picked up Girgensons in my yahoo fantasy pool. It's a head to head league, and he creates a lot of SOG, blocks and hits, which are categories we have. He even takes some face-offs!
As they said, he's having a nice little year. Too bad we don't have a making-the-allstar-game category...

[Hockey Widow]

Cory Crawford out 2-3 weeks with lower body injury. Too bad Markstrom is hurt. Looks like a little goalie market has opened up.

[Hockey Widow]

Doc, I get your point. in the grand scheme of things I really don't have an issue even though this whole innocent until proven guilty thing. Knowing me the way I do I would be screaming bloody murder if he were not suspended. Where there is smoke there is fire.

[dbr]

I don't see much point in citing league precedent in these matters.

Those are all pre-Ray Rice incidents, and for whatever reason it is immensely popular for pro sports leagues to be our moral arbiters these days. Or at least, it's exceedingly unpopular for them to do a monumentally shitty job of it (as Topper outlined).

The lost cap for the Kings is a bit troubling; providing them with relief sets a troubling precedent (does Craig Berube lay a beating on Mrs. Lecavalier and frame Vinny?) but really.. how is an NHL franchise supposed to account for this.

[Hockey Widow]

I don't see much point in citing league precedent in these matters.

Those are all pre-Ray Rice incidents, and for whatever reason it is immensely popular for pro sports leagues to be our moral arbiters these days. Or at least, it's exceedingly unpopular for them to do a monumentally shitty job of it (as Topper outlined).

The lost cap for the Kings is a bit troubling; providing them with relief sets a troubling precedent (does Craig Berube lay a beating on Mrs. Lecavalier and frame Vinny?) but really.. how is an NHL franchise supposed to account for this.

I think the NHL and PA did the right thing on this one with respect to the cap. As much as I love seeing a rival suffer it is the correct approach in not having it count against the cap. As in all precedents the NHL sets they won't feel bound by it. They will simply say it's different the next time something happens. They are not accountable outside the PA.

All in all, no more story here. It has been handled the best way possible and kudos to the NHL for being pro active.

[Hockey Widow]

Edmonton announces major press conference for tomorrow. Wonder if it is to acknowledge that they won't make the playoffs?

[Meds]

Edmonton announces major press conference for tomorrow. Wonder if it is to acknowledge that they won't make the playoffs?

I hear it is Daryl Katz announcing several things. First, the promotion of Kevin Lowe to CEO and VP of The Katz Group's new division of sports entertainment that will be operating out of the existing Oilers offices.

Secondly, Mark Messier will be hired on and he and MacTavish will share the jobs of GM and VP's of President of Hockey Ops because after Lowe vacates the President's job it is felt that nobody could succeed him in that position because of the outstanding job he has done. Therefore they are going to "retire" the position and distribute the responsibilities.

Finally, Kevin Lowe's jersey will be retired. There was allegedly some debate about this, but one they played the clip about Lowe knowing a thing or two about winning, that sealed the deal.

Rumors swirling that Katz is doing things a bit different with this jersey retirement. Instead of a jersey it will be one of Lowe's "game worn" suit jackets with an Oilers crest sewed on and his number 4 on the back. This is because on top of all his incredible contributions and performances as a player, his work in the head office has been instrumental building this fledgling new dynasty in Edmonton.