Daly: No clarity Voynov timing, might reconsider impact on Kings' cap if long term
The Los Angeles Kings supported the NHL’s suspension of defenseman Slava Voynov after his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence. But general manager Dean Lombardi also had a number of questions about the mechanics of the situation.
Voynov is suspended from team activities indefinitely with pay. So what is the timing of the NHL’s investigation? How does that relate to the criminal investigation? What is the impact on the Kings’ salary cap? The Kings have six healthy defensemen now that Jake Muzzin is ready to return to the lineup, but they have little cap room if someone gets hurt.
Team and league officials held a conference call Tuesday. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly responded to questions from Yahoo Sports in an e-mail Wednesday:
Q: Is there any more clarity on the timing? Will he remain suspended as long as the legal process plays out? Will the league hold a hearing — and make a determination — before that?
DALY: “No more clarity on timing. Process and timeline will be dictated, at least in part, by how the player decides to proceed vis-a-vis the ongoing criminal investigation. It is possible the league process could be accelerated and completed before the full legal process plays out, but it’s also possible that it may not.”
What do the Kings do in the meantime? What is the effect on their cap?
“Because the player has been suspended with pay, at this point, it’s as if he has been suspended under the supplementary discipline process, or that he has been injured and is day-to-day. In other words, he currently occupies a roster spot and is being charged against the Kings' cap. I did, however, allow for the possibility that we may revisit the player's treatment if it becomes clear that this is going to be a longer-term situation.”
Daly also confirmed the NHL acted on more information about the incident than has been available publicly.
