Phoenix Coyotes' Raffi Torres, NHLPA to appeal 25-Game Ban -NHL Playoffs Update
The National Hockey League (NHL) certainly shocked a lot of fans when it announced a 25-game suspension for Phoenix Coyotes’ player, Raffi Torres, during the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Raffi Torres knocked down Chicago Blackhawks’ Marian Hossa during the second period of Game 3 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, forcing the latter out for good with an injury as he was carried out of the stadium on a stretcher.
Now, as Chicago has been eliminated and Phoenix is in round-two against Nashville Predators, Torres along with the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) have decided to appeal against the suspension and hope that the league will show some relaxation.
"Originally we said we were going to take our time to do our diligence to decide what we want to do," said Torres' agent, Eustace King. "As far as moving forward and doing our diligence, we decided we want to appeal and now it's just a process and we have
to go through the process."
One of the reasons the NHL’s department for player safety and hockey operations termed to be in ruling it to be a 25-game ban was that the 30-year-old player had already been disciplined four times in the past, making him a repeat offender and Hossa being
injured just made things even worse.
It has been reported that the appeal will ultimately be judged by NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman.
Jason LaBarbera, the Coyotes’ backup goalie, is the Phoenix representative for the NHLPA. Giving his views on the ruling, the goalie believes that it should not have been handled by a single person, in this case Brendan Shanahan, but at least three people
have to be part of the process.
"I think you need to have three people: one from the league, one from the PA and independent people," LaBarbera said. "... I think it's the fairest way to do it. I think it's tough when it's in one person's hands. I think it's too much responsibility, and
it's too much power."
Raffi Torres does not have a set out schedule for when he will go in officially for the appeal but it should be expected in the upcoming days.
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