LAK's Voynov suspended over domestic violence charge

[ZBBM]

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nhl/story/_/id/11732720/slava-voynov-los-angeles-kings-suspended-indefinitely

Slava Voynov was arrested Monday morning on domestic violence charges and has been suspended indefinitely from the Los Angeles Kings pending a formal investigation by the NHL.

A rule in the collective bargaining agreement states that, during 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."

Reached by telephone Monday morning, Voynov's agent, Rolland Hedges, declined to comment about the situation.

"I'm sorry, I really can't," he told ESPN.com.

Hedges said he was working on gathering more information about the situation.

 

[bustaheims]

Real_ESPNLeBrun: No question as others have surmised, the changing landscape in sports is a factor here in quick NHL reaction. But perhaps also more (con't)

Real_ESPNLeBrun: One has to also consider the possibility that NHL already has enough information to suggest a more serious case than it was with Varlamov

Real_ESPNLeBrun: One thing to remember, since Voynov was arrested, he'll have automatic referral to NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioural health program

 

[Capn_Crunch]

I saw these articles posted in threads elsewhere regarding this

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/bill-daly-on-slava-voynov-suspension-this-is-different-from-varlamov

http://m.tmz.com/#Article/2014/10/20/nhl-star-slava-voynov-arrested-domestic-violence

Doesn't look good for him atm.

 

[AvroArrow]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is.

 

[Kin]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

In a court of law, absolutely.

 

[Capn_Crunch]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is.

With the info given so far it seems like he is indeed in trouble and she was injured enough for it to be a felony charge.

 

[bustaheims]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is, but, at the same time, as a private entity, that's not a standard the NHL is beholden to.

 

[AvroArrow]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is.

He's not.  He's been suspended indefinitely.  The NHL is considering him guilty until proven innocent.

 

[Deebo]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is.

He's not.  He's been suspended indefinitely.  The NHL is considering him guilty until proven innocent.

He is still getting paid.

 

[AvroArrow]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is, but, at the same time, as a private entity, that's not a standard the NHL is beholden to.

Thinking about it, I suppose there's good an bad about doing it this way.  It's bad for the player if he ends up being innocent, but I get that there are times when it needs to be more of a "guilty until proven innocent".  I'm just not sure this is one of those times, unless they have more information than I do that makes it obvious he's guilty?

 

[AvroArrow]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is.

He's not.  He's been suspended indefinitely.  The NHL is considering him guilty until proven innocent.

He is still getting paid.

Well, it's not all about money.

 

[Bullfrog]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is.

He's not.  He's been suspended indefinitely.  The NHL is considering him guilty until proven innocent.

I don't think they're necessarily considering him guilty. They've probably determined there's enough likelihood to his guilt that it's best he be suspended until/unless it can be proven otherwise.

Someone accuses my only employee of murder and there's enough suspicion to lay charges, she's being suspended from my office immediately; without hesitation.

 

[bustaheims]

Thinking about it, I suppose there's good an bad about doing it this way.  It's bad for the player if he ends up being innocent, but I get that there are times when it needs to be more of a "guilty until proven innocent".  I'm just not sure this is one of those times, unless they have more information than I do that makes it obvious he's guilty?

They might, but, I suspect that, with everything that's happened with the NFL, they're being overly cautious here. I really don't have much problem with any sports league suspending a player who is arrested for something serious like that. Even if he walks away from the trial without a guilty verdict being handed down, the message being sent here is more important.

 

[Deebo]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is.

He's not.  He's been suspended indefinitely.  The NHL is considering him guilty until proven innocent.

He is still getting paid.

Well, it's not all about money.

Suspension during criminal investigations is in the CBA too:

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.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Shouldn't he be innocent until proven guilty?

He is.

He's not.  He's been suspended indefinitely.  The NHL is considering him guilty until proven innocent.

Private entities can handle criminal investigations however they want if it's within the law.  It still makes him innocent until proven guilty.  In this case, as Deebo points out, it's in the CBA that they can suspend a player during a criminal investigation.  Innocent or guilty it can impact upon the league's reputation.

 

[AvroArrow]

Suspension during criminal investigations is in the CBA too:

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.

Thanks Deebo.  Seems it's at the NHL's discretion whether it's "innocent until proven guilty" or "guilty until proven innocent".

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Suspension during criminal investigations is in the CBA too:

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.

Thanks Deebo.  Seems it's at the NHL's discretion whether it's "innocent until proven guilty" or "guilty until proven innocent".

I don't know why you're hung up on those words.  Innocent, guilty, right now it reflects poorly on the NHL regardless.  Suspending him doesn't mean they even take a side.

 

[AvroArrow]

They might, but, I suspect that, with everything that's happened with the NFL, they're being overly cautious here. I really don't have much problem with any sports league suspending a player who is arrested for something serious like that. Even if he walks away from the trial without a guilty verdict being handed down, the message being sent here is more important.

I think if they're transparent about it, people should be able to accept how the league handles situations like this.  If the NHL appears to not care by doing and saying nothing, I can see the reputation of the league being hit.  On the other hand, if they come out and say something like, "We're investigating this along side the police and allowing our player the rights he's entitled to (ie: innocent until proven guilty).  If he is deemed guilty, we will respond in kind.", then eveyone know's they're waiting to see the outcome and will act if he's found guilty.

As I said, there are some situations where I think "guilty until proven innocent" is acceptable - I just question whether this is one (it's, unfortunately, not a obvious line).

PS: Before anyone misconstrues anything I'm saying, I am very much AGAINST any kind of abuse and think it should not be tolerated.

 

[Frank E]

Suspension during criminal investigations is in the CBA too:

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.

Thanks Deebo.  Seems it's at the NHL's discretion whether it's "innocent until proven guilty" or "guilty until proven innocent".

I don't know why you're hung up on those words.  Innocent, guilty, right now it reflects poorly on the NHL regardless.  Suspending him doesn't mean they even take a side.

Exactly, and the player may actually want the time to be able to sort things out and acquire and consult legal counsel.  My understanding is that he's still getting paid as well.