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NHL-owned Coyotes agree with Torres suspension decision

Don Maloney

Don Maloney talks with the media after being named the new general manager of the Phoenix Coyotes Tuesday, May 29, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. Maloney played 10 1/2 seasons for the New York Rangers and had spent 9 years in the Rangers front office as assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The NHLs decision to suspend Raffi Torres 25 games for his illegal hit on Chicago’s Marian Hossa is generating reaction from around the league, but it’s his own team’s response that was the one we were most curious about.

After all, we’ve seen the Rangers and Capitals speak their mind about separate suspensions to Carl Hagelin and Nicklas Backstrom, but would the NHL-owned Coyotes dissent against Torres’ lengthy ban? The simple answer is, “No.”

Coyotes GM Don Maloney released a statement on the Coyotes website saying both he and the rest of the organization agree with Torres’ suspension.

“I want to thank Brendan Shanahan and his staff for their thorough review of this incident,” said Maloney. “The ruling is very severe for Raffi and our Hockey Club. Raffi plays a hard, physical game yet this contact crossed the line on what is acceptable in our game today. We hope Marian Hossa makes a full and speedy recovery as we all enjoy watching him perform. The Club accepts the NHL’s decision and will focus on our game tonight.”

These words from Maloney are a lot more peaceful than his wild statements about how the reaction to Torres’ hit was akin to that of a guy that killed a bus full of children. Now if Torres can turn his attitude around as fast as Maloney has perhaps he can go about his career without any further controversy. Perhaps being ward of the league helped keep everyone’s opinions in check on this one in Phoenix.