Just Terminate Voynov's Contract

[hf101]

 

Why not just terminate the contract?  Frankly Voynov doesn't deserve to wear the Kings uniform again, as his off-ice actions have fallen short of the team's high on-ice standards.

 

Voynov is expected to turn himself in today to start his 90 day sentence for pleading no contest to a misdemeanor count of corporal injury to a spouse Thursday in LA.  For good behavior he will only likely serve 45 days.  Voynov was suspended last October but his pay wasn't suspended until last month after he tore and had surgery for his right Achilles' tendon in an unspecified non-hockey incident in March.  The injury may not be completely healed by the start of the season, so why wouldn't this then be considered a player breach of contract?

 

Keeping him on the team may also result in a lot of headaches for the Kings.  As Canada has some strict laws for traveling into the country with a criminal record.   Voynov's deportation status is still uncertain and is in the hands of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The Kings are also awaiting the Leagues ruling on their own investigation once the legal process has concluded.  According to the CBA section 18-A.2 Bettman can terminate a standard player's contract should they decide that the player's actions are detrimental to the league.  So how is supporting a perpetrator of domestic violence good for the league?  

 

Bettman needs to set an example and just send him back to Russia once he gets out of jail.

[flyercanuck]

Funny how they terminate Richards contract when he hasn't even been charged, yet Voynov is still a member of the team even though he's going to jail for beating his wife. 

 

Nice standards.

[Polaris922]

I don't get the thinking on this one. Wonder if they're waiting for something for legal reasons? A no contest is NOT a guilty verdict.

[flyercanuck]

@Polaris922

 

I think it's pretty obvious he isn't exactly innocent.

 

"Voynov pled no-contest on Thursday to a misdemeanor count of corporal injury to a spouse, and his jail time will be up to 90 days along with 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling and eight hours of community service (that better damn well be at a women’s shelter). 

Voynov’s NHL agent, Rolland Hedges, said in statement: “Mr. Voynov accepts responsibility for his actions the night of the incident and will complete his sentence as required by the court. Mr. Voynov and his wife believe that ending domestic violence both inside and outside of professional sports must be a high priority.”

 

And then theres Richards who had his terminated when he wasn't even charged.

[J0e Th0rnton]

I don't get the thinking on this one. Wonder if they're waiting for something for legal reasons? A no contest is NOT a guilty verdict.

Well, it just stinks to high heaven.

 

Marta Varlamova's statements in the Hospital to cops, the nurses and others indicated he threw her to the floor several times. Kicked her, punched her in the jaw Choked her, and smashed her head into the TV, opening a 3 inch gash that required stitches. And that this was not the first time he abused her.

 

The wounds were in the statement. Swelling and bruising on her face. The cut and red marks and scratch marks around her neck.

 

Throughout the thing, it mentions him saying he would divorce her and there would be more more money.

 

Flash forward, and she says she turned around angry and walked into the TV.

 

That's right up there with "I walked into a door" and "I fell down the stairs". So where did the marks on your neck come from again?

 

 

The difference here is The kings want Richards contract gone because he seems done. Voynov is skilled and they may want him or his value back. Supremely hypocritical.

[radoran]

The difference here is The kings want Richards contract gone because he seems done. Voynov is skilled and they may want him or his value back. Supremely hypocritical.

 

This is Exhibit A in the arbitration of the Richards contract termination.

 

Lombardi better be figuring out how to fit Richards back under the cap.

 

And how to explain his position on Voynov to his wife.

[Phillygrump]

Funny how they terminate Richards contract when he hasn't even been charged, yet Voynov is still a member of the team even though he's going to jail for beating his wife. 

 

Nice standards.

 

 

This. 

 

There is no way to spin it otherwise. The Richards move was about saving money and cap space. It was an excuse to terminate a bad contract. If they actually had standards they would terminate Voynov's contract too.

 

Since they haven't I imagine they are keeping it as it may still be an asset once Voynov's discipline has run its course.

 

I hope the Kings aren't trying to spin this any other way.

[Polaris922]

@flyercanuck

@J0e Th0rnton

Legally that is all irrelevant though. When a defendant in a case pleads "nolo contendre" they are accepting the punishment of the court WITHOUT admitting guilt. It's a rare thing but it allows for defense in civil process such as law suits and contract disputes. That's why I wonder if there's something the team is waiting for or if they're being hypocritical. Not defending the Kings, just waiting to see what becomes of it.

[jammer2]

 no contest = I did it but I'm not man enough to publicly state it.

[hf101]

Slava Voynov has been released from jail after serving 45 days of a 90-day sentence.

 

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/los150820.html

 

 

 

While Voynov is no longer in jail, his future in the NHL remains in limbo.

 

Reiterating a report in Russian media outlet R-Sport, Daly also told TFP that Voynov's "status with the League will remain unchanged until we complete our own review."

 

On Oct. 20, 2014, Voynov was suspended indefinitely from all club activities pending a formal investigation by the NHL.

 

The suspension was imposed under Section 18-A.5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which provides that, during the pendency of a criminal investigation, "The League may suspend the Player 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."

 

Daly indicated to TFP that he does not have a timeline as to when the NHL will begin its "decision making process" in the Voynov matter.

 

Voynov has also been suspended by the Kings organization for tearing his Achilles tendon in non-hockey related training.

 

The NHL, under terms of the CBA, has the right to nullify a player's contract if the Commissioner deems it appropriate, a decision the League will be considering with Voynov as part of its review.

 

As Section 18-A.2 of the CBA states, if the Commissioner "determines that a Player has violated a League Rule applicable to Players (other than Playing Rules subjecting the Player to potential Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct), or has been or is guilty of conduct (whether during or outside the playing season) that is detrimental to or against the welfare of the League or the game of hockey, (the Commissioner) may discipline such Player in any or all of the following respects: (a) by expelling or suspending such Player for a definite or indefinite period; (b) by cancelling any SPC (Standard Player Contract) that such Player has with any Member Club; or © by imposing a fine on the Player not exceeding the maximum permissible fine under Section 18.7(b)."

 

While the Kings could lift their suspension on Voynov once he finishes his prison sentence, ultimately, the 25-year-old's future in the NHL rests with the NHL.

 

Should Voynov be reinstated into the league?

[flyerfan2]

Slava Voynov has been released from jail after serving 45 days of a 90-day sentence.

 

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/los150820.html

 

 

 

Should Voynov be reinstated into the league?

Absolutely not, however having said that, domestic violence happens every day out of the public eye of pro sports and I'm guessing very few of those cases cause a loss of employment for the dirt bag abuser.