[News] NHL suspends Voynov indefinitely after domestic violence arrest. Upd: Voynov charged

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Just the rules aren't made out like that.

This would only happen for the Kings, Chicago, or Pittsburgh. I have a hard time believing the NHL would be so lenient if Voynov played for Calgary.

Don't avoid the question.

Do you think the Kings organization and players should be punished for the actions of one person? If yes, why?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Don't avoid the question.

Do you think the Kings organization and players should be punished for the actions of one person? If yes, why?

In a vacuum, the team should not be punished.

But according to the NHL rules, they should. Therefore, yes, the team should be punished.

[sureLoss]

@nathanfenno: Incidentally, two interviews Voynov's wife gave to officers the night of the alleged incident were recorded. #Kings #NHL
@nathanfenno: Among recorded comments attributed to Voynov's wife: "He kicked me here" and "Here he pushed me." #Kings #NHL

It sounds like one of the defends lawyers strategies is to discredit what the wife told the police because her English isn't very good and there was no translator. She apparently asked for Voynov once to help translate

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

In a vacuum, the team should not be punished.

But according to the NHL rules, they should. Therefore, yes, the team should be punished.

According to the rules, the NHL can grant cap relief. So, if (a) you agree that the team should not be punished, and (b) if the rules allow relief from punishment, then (c) they should be given the relief.

The NHL actually kept them out of cap relief longer than a lot of people thought should happen.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

According to the rules, the NHL can grant cap relief. So, if (a) you agree that the team should not be punished, and (b) if the rules allow relief from punishment, then (c) they should be given the relief.

The NHL actually kept them out of cap relief longer than a lot of people thought should happen.

It wasn't the NHL that stopped the cap relief. They agreed to it right away. It was the
NHLPA that dragged their feet because providing relief could affect escrow

[FlamesAddiction]

Thank goodness she is following though with the charges. With those types of rage issues, it was probably only a matter of time until he killed her or someone else.

[ZedMan]

I don't remember where I read this but I believe that in this case the DA could press charges even if his wife didn't.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Thank goodness she is following though with the charges. With those types of rage issues, it was probably only a matter of time until he killed her or someone else.

Umm she isn't? California law allows for domestic assault charges even if the victim doesn't cooperate.

After his arrest she said through her lawyer he did not assault her

[sureLoss]

Going to trial
@Rich_Hammond: Judge has ordered that there is enough evidence for Voynov to stand trial.
@Rich_Hammond: Defense’s motions to dismiss the case and to reduce it to a misdemeanor were denied. Voynov return to court Dec 29

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Dismiss the case and reduce it to a misdemeanor? Good one.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Rich Hammond ‏@Rich_Hammond
Deputy DA indicated that there is evidence of previous domestic violence by Voynov, but he did not present details

[Poe969]

This POS needs to go away. I really hope they throw the book at him and I hope the kings do something to distance themselves from this mess. I actually like them less for them allowing him to practice with them.

[sureLoss]

The real mess for the NHL will be what happens if he gets acquitted.

No matter whatever spin his lawyers do to get him off the legal hook, the court of public opinion knows something really bad happened in that bedroom

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

It wasn't the NHL that stopped the cap relief. They agreed to it right away. It was the
NHLPA that dragged their feet because providing relief could affect escrow

I hadn't heard that.

Mind you it doesn't change the point that, if you accept that the team shouldn't be punished and if you accept the NHL can provide relief, I fail to see the objection to the relief in this case.

I also don't buy the suggestion that Bettman treated LA differently than he would a small market or Canadian team. I think Bettman is just fine with the Canadian teams.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Dismiss the case and reduce it to a misdemeanor? Good one.

Can't fault the lawyer on that one. Always the chance of bluffing out the DA if he isn't sure how strong his evidence is.

Of course, making the offer means that Voynov is basically admitting guilt. The question is what degree they can get him on, if the prosecutors can make it all hold up.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The real mess for the NHL will be what happens if he gets acquitted.

No matter whatever spin his lawyers do to get him off the legal hook, the court of public opinion knows something really bad happened in that bedroom

That's easy - the league reinstates him. They would have no choice.

As it stands, he has missed 25 games, which is already the third longest suspension in NHL history. Chris Simon was benched for 30, and Billy Coutu banned for life.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That's easy - the league reinstates him. They would have no choice.

As it stands, he has missed 25 games, which is already the third longest suspension in NHL history. Chris Simon was benched for 30, and Billy Coutu banned for life.

We will see how much choice they have if/when sponsors threaten to pull out if Voynov continues to play.

They will either face a lawsuit from Voynov for not reinstating him or lose millions of dollars from the sponsors.

[mrdonkey]

Guess I can't fault the defense for doing whatever is necessary to protect their client, but seriously, a misdemeanour? Based on the description of the crime scene it sounds like a minor miracle this isn't a manslaughter investigation.

[sureLoss]

@nathanfenno: Voynov's wife, Marta Varlamova, didn't attend today's hearing. #Kings #NHL

@nathanfenno: The judge didn't allow Voynov's attorneys to enter a letter from Varlamova into evidence saying that the alleged incident was an accident.

[GioforPM]

What a desperate move. They can't put her on the stand because her story would fall apart after a couple questions by the prosecutor. So they try a hearsay letter. I wonder if the signature resembled Voynov's handwriting much.