The National Hockey League has fined the Los Angeles Kings $100,000 for allowing suspended defenceman Slava Voynov to practice with the team.
Slava Voynov skated today with the Kings. It will cost $100 000 to the team. They violate terms of Voynov ban. #nhl
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) December 2, 2014
The report, coming directly from the NHL is as follows:
“NEW YORK – The Los Angeles Kings have been fined $100,000 for violating the terms of defenseman Slava Voynov‘s suspension, the National Hockey League announced today.
Voynov skated with teammates today during a Club practice. Such activity is in direct contravention of the terms of the suspension levied Oct. 20, which permit Mr. Voynov to use club facilities and work with team personnel but prohibit his participation in any team-related functions or activities.”
Voynov was charged with felony domestic violence on Thursday, November 20 for allegedly assaulting wife Marta Varlamova. Voynov pleaded not guilty yesterday, with his legal team claiming that she never stated he hit her and that the charge was all a misunderstanding in mistranslation.
After the charge, the Los Angeles Kings suspended Voynov. The NHL agreed to continue the suspension indefinitely and promised a cap relief for the Kings in the event of the suspension, allowing Voynov to be treated like a player on the Long-Term Injury Reverse list. The LTIR would allow Voynov to still be paid and for the team to be in relief of his cap hit. The previous CBA did not cause a cap hit for suspended players. Today’s CBA does.
Today, Slava Voynov practiced with his teammates for the first time since the suspension. Kings Head Coach Daryl Sutter claimed the practice was an optional skate. According to a report by Lisa Dillman, the Kings talked to the league before Voynov practiced. The fine followed after Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi talked with Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. It is believed that the team knew of the consequences of the practice and may have done it to show team solidarity for Voynov’s plea of not guilty.
If true, the NHL might look at this more as direct defiance of their wishes. It is possible the National Hockey League might consider rescinding the long term cap relief.
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