Perezhogin Suspended One Year

[clan]

What a bunch of cry babies.
You guys sound like Pat Quinn and the Leafs.
Get over it.
If Perogi did not take his stick and turn it into a baseball bat there would be no crying but he did and has to pay for it.
The harsher the sentence the better for his guttless and cowardly act.
Typical left wing bleeding hearts turning the Victim into the criminal.
And for the record,most of you people are saying Stafford is a nobody,well he was named to the All Rookie Team so he must be as talented as the stickswinger.
Even more hilarious is Perogi's spin/bullSaperlipopette statement where he wishes Garrett[so it's Garrett now ,like he is his best bud']recovers and is well.
If Perogi was a man like Bertuzzi he would have have used his fists but like all good Euro's he uses his stick.
Coward,coward,coward and it is too bad that he was not Banned from North America.

[Habit]

Does anybody else feel that this thread has gone on long enough?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

The thread will recede in due course, as all threads do.

[CentreHice]

clan said:

What a bunch of cry babies.
You guys sound like Pat Quinn and the Leafs.
Get over it.
If Perogi did not take his stick and turn it into a baseball bat there would be no crying but he did and has to pay for it.
The harsher the sentence the better for his guttless and cowardly act.
Typical left wing bleeding hearts turning the Victim into the criminal.
And for the record,most of you people are saying Stafford is a nobody,well he was named to the All Rookie Team so he must be as talented as the stickswinger.
Even more hilarious is Perogi's spin/bullnuts statement where he wishes Garrett[so it's Garrett now ,like he is his best bud']recovers and is well.
If Perogi was a man like Bertuzzi he would have have used his fists but like all good Euro's he uses his stick.
Coward,coward,coward and it is too bad that he was not Banned from North America.

I have no problem with the year suspension. You are correct that he should have dropped the stick and fought with his fists if he was that angry. I mean, the two or three Cleveland Barons didn't start hacking away at Perez after he hit Stafford....they pummelled him.

What the majority are riled about is that Stafford's initial swing got a slap on the wrist because it "missed".

Refs can call majors and game misconducts if they see a "deliberate intent to injure", but it's only if the player connects with his target.

I put forth the wacky/absurd idea that refs should start calling "deliberate attempt to injure". It's an area full of subjectivity but one worth exploring to head off this rabid steroid-like behaviour that builds during the course of a game.

The refs assess a minor if they deem a play would be a penalty if it connected. Forget hooking, holding, interference, tripping, and spearing. Those always include contact. I'm talking about elbows, slashes, high sticks, charges, roughings, and kneeings that miss their mark.

Two examples from the Leafs, who seem to have employed many of this ilk:

Brian Marchment tried to low-bridge Brashear at the Toronto blueline in Game 4. Brashear just side-stepped him in time. Marchment was going for the knees. What else was he doing down that low? I think if it's that obvious you have to call it.

How many times have we seen Darcy Tucker going for the big hit and missing; jumping and hitting the boards/glass with either his gloves, stick, or elbows up?

Of course, I know they'll never adopt the "attempt" to injure rule. A shame, because the "intent" is the same whether it connects or not. Instead, it leads to an escalation of violence in that the intended target goes back to the bench and says, "That guy tried to take my head off/knees out, etc. I'll get him."

Pure folly on my part.

[FormerLurker]

clan said:

If Perogi was a man like Bertuzzi he would have have used his fists but like all good Euro's he uses his stick.
Coward,coward,coward and it is too bad that he was not Banned from North America.

Ignorance and bigotry. That's the solution.

[StevePenny]

My final comment on this is for the people that say Perez could have killed the guy. Yes that might be true but he didn't and if that's your arguement then u could say perez could have gotten killed if Strafford's stick would have hit him lower then on his helmet. It didn't happen so if your going to use that for the lengh of the suspension that it does not fly with me seing as Straffford only got 6 games.Perez should be allowed to work bottom line and if he was to earn a roster spot with the big club next year then i would have no problem with him plying in the NHL.

[Yossarian]

clan said:

If Perogi was a man like Bertuzzi he would have have used his fists but like all good Euro's he uses his stick.

So as I understand it then, its not ok to swing a stick, (Because you might kill someone), but its ok to swing a fist? (because you can't kill anyone this way)? Totally logical A punishment is supposed to prevent incidents like this from happening again. Yes, dropping his gloves would not have led to a suspension, but would it have prevented something like this from happening again? (see the goon squad that attacked Perez after his stick swing. That's ok, and encouraged). Somehow, I can't see reckless violence being eliminated after this verdict, especially with the above noted perverse hockey mentallity.

How you can prevent incidents like this from happening is by making leagues and referees accountable for their actions and decisions, and the threat of law suit against them if they are negligent. I'm with HA on this one.

So Perez gets banned for a year, and loses a year's salary. Sue the AHL and the referee for the lost income, and for any damages sought out by Stafford against him, for their clear negligence. The ref for losing control of the game and not calling Stafford's clear indescritions leading up to Perez's stick swing. Clearly, if the calls were made, Perez doesn't take his swing. Sue the AHL for entrusting the game to the incompetent ref. All that a good lawyer (or evil one as HA states) has to do is prove that their was an unbroken chain of events leading up to Perez's stick swing, with the referees negligence leading to the series of events.

Yeah, my opinion represents an extreme and may not be realistic, but there is something seriously wrong with this game, when incidents like this keep happening. For those who think punishments like this will have any effect on preventing future incidents, I'm sorry, but you are delusional.

As fans of the Habs and Perez, we are now forced to accept this extreme punishment, which will have little or no effect on curtailling the violence perpetuated by goons like Perez . I was really looking forward to having him play on the second line next year. As circumstances prevent themselves he may not have the opportunity anyway, if a lockout last the entire year. Even though he is under contract with the Habs, he should be allowed to go to the RSL, and plays at almost the same level of play than the AHL. The only thing he loses is another year of getting comfortable with NA.

[Cranky]

Yossarian said:

So as I understand it then, its not ok to swing a stick, (Because you might kill someone), but its ok to swing a fist? (because you can't kill anyone this way)? Totally logical A punishment is supposed to prevent incidents like this from happening again. Yes, dropping his gloves would not have led to a suspension, but would it have prevented something like this from happening again? (see the goon squad that attacked Perez after his stick swing. That's ok, and encouraged). Somehow, I can't see reckless violence being eliminated after this verdict, especially with the above noted perverse hockey mentallity.

How you can prevent incidents like this from happening is by making leagues and referees accountable for their actions and decisions, and the threat of law suit against them if they are negligent. I'm with HA on this one.

So Perez gets banned for a year, and loses a year's salary. Sue the AHL and the referee for the lost income, and for any damages sought out by Stafford against him, for their clear negligence. The ref for losing control of the game and not calling Stafford's clear indescritions leading up to Perez's stick swing. Clearly, if the calls were made, Perez doesn't take his swing. Sue the AHL for entrusting the game to the incompetent ref. All that a good lawyer (or evil one as HA states) has to do is prove that their was an unbroken chain of events leading up to Perez's stick swing, with the referees negligence leading to the series of events.

Yeah, my opinion represents an extreme and may not be realistic, but there is something seriously wrong with this game, when incidents like this keep happening. For those who think punishments like this will have any effect on preventing future incidents, I'm sorry, but you are delusional.

As fans of the Habs and Perez, we are now forced to accept this extreme punishment, which will have little or no effect on curtailling the violence perpetuated by goons like Perez . I was really looking forward to having him play on the second line next year. As circumstances prevent themselves he may not have the opportunity anyway, if a lockout last the entire year. Even though he is under contract with the Habs, he should be allowed to go to the RSL, and plays at almost the same level of play than the AHL. The only thing he loses is another year of getting comfortable with NA.

You know....don't agree with me too much....*eyes turn red*....it will have too many long lasting effects.......*head spins around*

My biggest annoyance is that he is the sacrificial goat that was led to the slaughter for others to see. If this was a grizzelled vet with the NHLPA behind him, then I not worry about fair treatment...

If this was a Canadian boy with a family behind him, I would worry a bit less about fair treatment.....

A kid from Russia that is involved in politics with people FAR more powerful then himself. AHL, NHL, NHLPA, "We are the good guys" Hab's and the media are prancing around, holding this kids head high on a stick. By now, everyone knows that this kid is a wanna'be evil axe murderer. Thank God that the AHL was so wise to place most of the blame on this foreign evil doer. Everyone must know that they and their officials did their best, after all, even at the slightest wiff of accountability would result in ruinous lawsuits. We can't have that happen to the AHL because it would set a precident for the NHL. Yup.....

I wish this happened in the US. Then there would be an ocean of sharks ready to feed on Buttman's butt.

Something must be done to even the odds.........

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

By STEPHEN BRUNT
From Saturday's Globe and Mail

It was the ugliest stick-swinging incident since Ted Green sawed off against Wayne Maki in 1969, with a player left bleeding and convulsing on the ice at its conclusion.

What followed, yesterday, was the longest suspension in the history of professional hockey for an act of violence, a sentence that will be all but universally applauded.

- full Globe and Mail column

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Bulldog receives record ban for stick-swinging attack
Player suspended through 2004-05
Longest penalty in the AHL's 68 years

MARK ZWOLINSKI
SPORTS REPORTER

Hamilton Bulldogs forward Alexander Perezhogin has more to think about today than the longest suspension in American Hockey League history.

The 20-year-old from Kazakhstan, a first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2001, was suspended for the remainder of this season and all of next season for his stick-swinging attack on Cleveland Barons defenceman Garrett Stafford during a playoff game last week.

- full Toronto Star article

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

AHL makes example of Perezhogin

PAT HICKEY
The Gazette

There is no excuse for Alexander Perezhogin's two-handed swing to the head of Garrett Stafford.

But I have to agree with Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey, who said his initial reaction was one of shock when he heard the American Hockey League had suspended Perezhogin for the remainder of this year's playoffs and the entire 2004-05 season.

- full Montréal Gazette article

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

IIHF will decide whether Alexander Perezhogin can play in European leagues

PIERRE LEBRUN
Canadian Press
Saturday, May 08, 2004

PRAGUE (CP) - Alexander Perezhogin needs clearance from the International Ice Hockey Federation to play hockey in the Russian league or anywhere in Europe next season.

But his one-year suspension in the American Hockey League would not automatically be honoured by the IIHF.

"This player was signed by the Montreal Canadiens, under the NHL-IIHF agreement," IIHF spokesman Szymon Szemberg said Saturday at the men's world hockey championship. "So if he returns to Russia, then he's a returnee under that agreement, which means his return ticket, so to speak, must go through the IIHF transfer system.

"Now if the AHL makes it clear to us that he's under suspension for a serious offence, the IIHF council would then decide whether or not he would be cleared to be re-admitted to European hockey."

The AHL suspended the 20-year-old native of Kazakhstan for the remainder of the playoffs and the entire 2004-2005 season Friday for his stick-swinging attack on Cleveland Barons defenceman Garrett Stafford during a post-season game April 30.

While it's an AHL suspension, the IIHF regards Perezhogin as an NHLer playing in the minors, and therefore subject to the NHL-IIHF transfer agreement.

But that agreement does not force the IIHF to recognize AHL suspensions.

"We don't necessarily honour any suspensions laid down by the AHL," said Szemberg. "But the IIHF does have a clause in its statutes and by-laws which clearly states that the player whose actions have been detrimental to hockey or to the reputation of hockey can be suspended by the IIHF council."

There are factors that would help Perezhogin's case with the IIHF council. He has no previous history of violent behaviour and was provoked by Stafford before the incident.

That could sway the IIHF council towards clearing Perezhogin to play in the Russian league.

The IIHF council denied suspended NHL tough guy Marty McSorley from playing in England in 2000 following his stick-swinging incident with Donald Brashear.

Perezhogin's suspension is the longest ever handed down by the AHL, which also banned Stafford for six games for his role in the incident.

Perezhogin struck Stafford in the face with a two-handed, baseball-like swing during a playoff game April 30 in Hamilton.

Stafford had first swung his stick at Perezhogin and it glanced off the back of Perezhogin's helmet. Perezhogin retaliated with Stafford on his knees.

Stafford, 24, had convulsions on the ice and was rushed to hospital. He suffered a concussion and a 20-stitch gash. Perezhogin was assessed a match penalty and immediately suspended pending a league review. Stafford is not believed to have suffered any permanent injury.

Hamilton police are conducting a criminal investigation.

Perezhogin was Montreal's first pick, 25th overall, in the 2001 entry draft. He helped Russia win the 2003 world junior title in Halifax.

He was fourth among AHL rookies with 50 points in 77 games with the Bulldogs this season.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

His suspension could have been much worse. He could have been suspended until hell freezes over or the Leafs win the cup, whichever comes first.
One year is about right and in one year he will be ready for the NHL.

[Cranky]

Mr. said:

By STEPHEN BRUNT
From Saturday's Globe and Mail

It was the ugliest stick-swinging incident since Ted Green sawed off against Wayne Maki in 1969, with a player left bleeding and convulsing on the ice at its conclusion.

What followed, yesterday, was the longest suspension in the history of professional hockey for an act of violence, a sentence that will be all but universally applauded.

- full Globe and Mail column

One more thing....while my blood pressure still high enough to crush diamonds.......

I am rapidly loosing respect for Gainey. He essentially led this kid to the slaughter house under the guise that "we are the good guy's". It is obvious from saying that he will not appeal the ruling that he does not intent to support one of his own.

Many players see the hockey team as part of their family and Gainey as the head patriarch. If Perez believes this then he is SADLY mistaken.

Some part of me is struggling to believe that there is a side deal made that will bring some justice to this sideshow and Gainey is not turning into an acquiescing Sideshow Bob.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

HabsAddict said:

One more thing....while my blood pressure still high enough to crush diamonds.......

I am rapidly loosing respect for Gainey. He essentially led this kid to the slaughter house under the guise that "we are the good guy's". It is obvious from saying that he will not appeal the ruling that he does not intent to support one of his own.

Many players see the hockey team as part of their family and Gainey as the head patriarch. If Perez believes this then he is SADLY mistaken.

Some part of me is struggling to believe that there is a side deal made that will bring some justice to this sideshow and Gainey is not turning into an acquiescing Sideshow Bob.

Sideshow Bob just reeks of bad Grammer.

Seriously, I too would find it difficult to accept that Bo would abandon one of his own to the wolves. Never mind that he is one of our brightest hopes.

So, you're 20 years old, in a foreign country, don't speak the language, are under criminal investigation, and will be deported unless you are jailed. Who you gonna call?

[BadCompany]

There does exist, of course, the possibility that Gainey agrees with the suspension.

Doesn't leave much doubt to me that Perezhoghin knew where he was swinging. Perhaps not in the face, but he certainly wasn't going for the shin-pads.

As I said before, hopefully this is the first step. Or the second step, depending on how Bertuzzi's suspension plays out. Is Perezhoghin being made out as a scapegoat? Is he being used as an example? Yep. And frankly, I got no problems with that IF this is the beginning of a new trend. Stephen Brunt says Andrews spoke with Betteman. Perhaps Gainey did as well? If Betteman said "I'll save you the embarrassment Bob, Perezhoghin's suspension isn't going to be reduced. I got Bertuzzi for 50 games next year, and as part of our collective bargaining agreement, we are going to propose that stiff, stiff penalties be imposed from here on in. Sucks that it has to be your boy, but this is the way its going to be from now on in."

From Brunt:

"And it's hard to imagine he (Andrews) would have acted so decisively in the face of Bettman's strenuous objections, given the business relationship between the two leagues."

Lets not forget one thing; Perezhoghin creamed a guy with his stick, right in the face. If that was Komisarek lying on the ice, in a pool of his own blood, twitching and shaking, we'd be screaming for vengence. Even if he did the exact same things Stafford did, before being creamed.

[BadCompany]

As for the legality of preventing a person from "working" in hockey, lets not forget that hockey is an entertainment business, and that it does have rules. Perezhoghin broke the rules, and he sullied the game, which in turn affects business. People see it as a goon sport, they don't give money to see games.

Also, given the numerous affiliations between AHL teams and NHL teams, and the very fact that players move between the two, I would think that a pretty good argument could be made that they are sister divisions in the same company. Therefore, if you are suspended in one division, you can't work in the other.

Not a labour lawyer, but I don't think this is as cut and dry as some think it is. And I highly doubt Perezhogin or Gainey will go this route anyways.

[BadCompany]

Yossarian said:

How you can prevent incidents like this from happening is by making leagues and referees accountable for their actions and decisions, and the threat of law suit against them if they are negligent. I'm with HA on this one.

So Perez gets banned for a year, and loses a year's salary. Sue the AHL and the referee for the lost income, and for any damages sought out by Stafford against him, for their clear negligence. The ref for losing control of the game and not calling Stafford's clear indescritions leading up to Perez's stick swing. Clearly, if the calls were made, Perez doesn't take his swing. Sue the AHL for entrusting the game to the incompetent ref. All that a good lawyer (or evil one as HA states) has to do is prove that their was an unbroken chain of events leading up to Perez's stick swing, with the referees negligence leading to the series of events.

Todd Bertuzzi could make the same claim. If Moore had of been suspended, that incident wouldn't have happened either.

[blny]

TSN is reporting that the IIHF is deliberating as to Perezhogin's eligibility for play in Europe. It's a formality, but you can bet they'll adhere to the AHL suspension.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

BadCompany said:

Lets not forget one thing; Perezhoghin creamed a guy with his stick, right in the face. If that was Komisarek lying on the ice, in a pool of his own blood, twitching and shaking, we'd be screaming for vengence. Even if he did the exact same things Stafford did, before being creamed.

And we'd be wrong to do so. Komisarek should never have crosschecked his opponent in the back, knocking him down and then swung at his head with his stick. Of course the referee in "charge" should have immediately called the first foul, thus defusing the potential chain of events. But hey, ya gotta let the boys play the game, right?

A swing and a miss, a swing and a miss, a swing and a miss. Three strikes and you're still in the old hockey game. Just don't hit the melon.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

BadCompany said:

There does exist, of course, the possibility that Gainey agrees with the suspension.

Gainey was quoted as being "shocked" after the ruling. Doubtful that he agrees.

[jkr]

clan said:

If Perogi was a man like Bertuzzi he would have have used his fists but like all good Euro's he uses his stick.

What's manly about sucker punching someone from behind and slamming his face into the ice? Stafford also swung his stick & he is no "Euro". Is he also a coward that should be banned?

[jkr]

Mr. said:

Gainey was quoted as being "shocked" after the ruling. Doubtful that he agrees.

The remarks could be just for the public record.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

jkr said:

The remarks could be just for the public record.

Possibly.

The punishment meted out could also be seen as fair.

[Yossarian]

BadCompany said:

Todd Bertuzzi could make the same claim. If Moore had of been suspended, that incident wouldn't have happened either.

Not even close to being the same thing. The end of the Moore play, let alone the end of the game, signified a break in the chain of events. Bertuzzi's attack was clearly pre-meditated, when the game had already gotten out of hand.

Moore's hit on Naslund was argueable, with many feeling it was legal or borderline legal. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone, anywhere, with the opinion that Stafford's stick swing was anywhere close to being legal, and that Perez was planning his attack long before it happened, and not a poor reactionary decision.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

I'm amazed that so many people saw the same infraction and came to such different conclusions.
Gainey is hanging him out to dry/such violence has no place in the hallowed halls of the Hab's.
Put him in jail/bring back the death penalty/it's hockey/5 minute major and a game misconduct.

It was a bad infraction by a nice guy. Even if it's his first time, it was a bad deed that must be punished.

From "5 minute major" to "lifetime ban and Jail".
One year is about right!
What is there to protest, he didn't do it? He did it and we saw it and he shouldn't have done it and nobody should ever do it again (LOL).

[Skilly]

BadCompany said:

As for the legality of preventing a person from "working" in hockey, lets not forget that hockey is an entertainment business, and that it does have rules. Perezhoghin broke the rules, and he sullied the game, which in turn affects business. People see it as a goon sport, they don't give money to see games.

Also, given the numerous affiliations between AHL teams and NHL teams, and the very fact that players move between the two, I would think that a pretty good argument could be made that they are sister divisions in the same company. Therefore, if you are suspended in one division, you can't work in the other.

Not a labour lawyer, but I don't think this is as cut and dry as some think it is. And I highly doubt Perezhogin or Gainey will go this route anyways.

This is incorrect.

The AHL players are apart of a different union then NHL players. AHL players are not affected by the up coming labour strike, but when a company shuts its doors (lock-out, refusing to sign poor contract) it shuts it down to all employees usually. So I don't see where you can say they are sister divisions. They are two seperate companies that work together.

As for the legal aspect. Breaking out my "Canadian Business Law" textbook, it looks to me that Perezhogin has a number of options in law to pursue.

Restrictive covenants in contracts (although this is not exactly in Perezhogin's contract) may not restrict an employee from exercising skills learned on the job, only restrict the use of secret or confidential information.

The suspension is the same. They can suspend him form working in their company, but not in other companies. And if all other leagues uphold this decision, and Perezhogin is unable to work next season (lose a year developing, affect his game detrimentally when he returns, etc,) he could in essence be felt like he was being let go and force to quit hockey and sue for constructive dismissal. Unlikely to get anything tackling it this way, but there are smart lawyers out there who would love to put a twist on this if he isn't able to play anywhere next year.

The NHL is treaded on very thin ice now and I am not sure they want to go down this legal avenue.

[rhabdo]

Any appeal would probably be lost. I think it's prudent to accept the verdict and have Perezhogin come back with less of a cloud hanging over him the following season. At least people would know that he was severely punished and not use it as an excuse for demanding lighter punishments for other offenders.

[BadCompany]

Skilly said:

This is incorrect.

The AHL players are apart of a different union then NHL players. AHL players are not affected by the up coming labour strike, but when a company shuts its doors (lock-out, refusing to sign poor contract) it shuts it down to all employees usually. So I don't see where you can say they are sister divisions. They are two seperate companies that work together.

I don't think that's true either. Large companies will often deal with several different unions, and one union being on strike does not necessarily mean that the others are. However, if you are fired from one division, its unlikely that you will be hired in another.

For example, Air Canada mechanics versus Air Canada Ticket takers.

Skilly said:

Restrictive covenants in contracts (although this is not exactly in Perezhogin's contract) may not restrict an employee from exercising skills learned on the job, only restrict the use of secret or confidential information.

The suspension is the same. They can suspend him form working in their company, but not in other companies. And if all other leagues uphold this decision, and Perezhogin is unable to work next season (lose a year developing, affect his game detrimentally when he returns, etc,) he could in essence be felt like he was being let go and force to quit hockey and sue for constructive dismissal. Unlikely to get anything tackling it this way, but there are smart lawyers out there who would love to put a twist on this if he isn't able to play anywhere next year.

Again, you are assuming they are other separate entities, which legally I am not sure they are. If I am an airline pilot, and I fly drunk, I'll get fired or suspended from Air Canada. Just because WestJet doesn't hire me doesn't mean I have any legal rights to sue.

Again, professional hockey is an entertainment business. Perezhoghin broke the rules. Its written into his contract, into the CBA, and I'm going to assume the AHL CBA as well, or its equivalent, that he must abide by any decision rendered by the commissioner. If, as you say, he is effectively being "fired" then I think he will be hard pressed to convince anyone it was a wrongful dismissal, given the stick in the face and all.

Skilly said:

The NHL is treaded on very thin ice now and I am not sure they want to go down this legal avenue.

Apparently they do. They banned McSorely for a year, effectively ending his career, and they didn't seem all that concerned about him suing anybody. In fact, he was banned from playing in the English league as well, with nary a lawyer in sight.

I'd forget the "legal" angle guys, it ain't gonna happen.

[JohnnyVerdun]

But for the relationship that exists between the NHL and the AHL, there'd be no way of preventing AP from playing in the NHL if they were prepared to allow it.

It's only by virtue of the voluntary (and likely arbitrary) "respect" accorded the AHL suspension that Perezhogin could be prevented from playing in the NHL. Having said that, the NHLPA might have something to say about this, on AP's behalf, and it's entirely possible that some behind the scenes sit down will produce a lighter suspension if an appeal is pursued.

The reason is this: What if a player gets caught up in some craziness in the ECHL, or in Europe, and is suspended for some outrageous number of games. An NHL team is ready to sign the kid, or will put him on their roster, but the NHL says "he can't play because we're going to respect the suspension". At that point, the NHLPA would probably step in and take the position that the NHL can't deprive one of their members of the right to earn a living based on some quasi-judicial proceeding held by the Belorussian hockey federation. In other words, unless the NHLPA signs off on some reciprocity deal, so that it's understood in advance that no matter where you're suspended -- whether in the ECHL or the Russian Superleague -- the suspension holds, then the NHL will have a fight on its hands.

So to come full circle, what complicates this thing is the relationship between the two leagues (AHL and NHL). But if this "respect" for the suspension is essentially arbitrary (AHL suspensions count, IIHF suspensions don't) I'd say they'll have a fight on their hands. But given that this is a delicate matter -- the NHLPA has to be seen also to be thinking of the safety of their membership -- I would imagine this will be pursued privately.

I expect the suspension to be reduced (to 40+ games) and that this will be done with a view towards avoiding conflict (NHLPA v. the league) and embarrassment (to the AHL, the NHL or the union).