Raffi Torres. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
(WSCR) NHL Commissioner Garry Bettman has reached a decision on the appeal by the Coyotes’ Raffi Torres to reduce his 25-game suspension.
TSN’s Darren Dreger first tweeted that Torres, who was suspended for his illegal hit on Marian Hossa in the Western Conference quarterfinals, would have his suspension reduced by four games, meaning Torres will have eight games remaining on the suspension after missing the final 13 games of the Coyotes’ postseason.
Because he is classified as a repeat offender under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Torres will forfeit $170,731.68 in salary. In addition, Torres will be ineligible to participate in any preseason games until he has served the full term of the suspension.
“This type of on-ice conduct cannot and will not be tolerated in the National Hockey League,” Bettman said. “We have seen similar behavior before from Mr. Torres and, particularly given the League’s heightened scrutiny on hits to the head, I believe that a very significant penalty is warranted in this case. We hope and expect that the severity of this incident, and the League’s response to it, will help prevent any similar incident from occurring in the future.”
