Coyotes' Bissonnette automatically suspended 10 games

Phoenix Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette has been automatically suspended for 10 regular-season games without pay for leaving the bench on an illegal line change to join an altercation during Sunday's preseason game against Los Angeles Sunday night in Glendale, Ariz.

At 12:09 of the first period, Bissonnette was assessed a game misconduct penalty under Rule 70.6, which states: "A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on the player who was the first or second player to leave the players' or penalty bench during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation, from either or both teams."

Based on his salary, the suspension will cost Bissonnette almost $38,000. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Bissonnette will be eligible to return to the Coyotes' lineup on Oct. 24 at Los Angeles.