New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – The National Hockey League on Friday
reaffirmed its stance on suspended Los Angeles defenseman Slava Voynov, but
revealed that the Kings will be allowed salary-cap relief in his absence.
“In light of the uncertain and potentially extended period of time that the
legal process may entail, the NHL and NHLPA have agreed to permit the Kings to
replace Mr. Voynov’s Salary and Bonuses pursuant to the Bona Fide Long-Term
Injury Exception under the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining
Agreement,” the league revealed in a statement.
Essentially, the Kings will be allowed to place Voynov on long-term injured
reserve — where his salary will not count against the cap — throughout the
continuing ordeal stemming from a domestic-violence arrest in late October.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced
that Voynov, who is currently under indefinite suspension by the NHL,
faces one felony count of corporal injury to spouse with great bodily
injury for an alleged attack on his wife at their Redondo Beach home on Oct.
19.
Voynov is scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court on
Dec. 1. He is presently free on bond.
The 24-year-old Russian could receive a maximum sentence up to nine years in
prison if convicted.
