The The Russian Ice Hockey Federation has reportedly given up on trying to get Slava Voynov into the World Cup.
According to TSN’s Gary Lawless, who cited an NHL source, the Russians now acknowledge that Voynov is ineligible to participate in the upcoming tournament. They have been offered the opportunity to replace him on their roster.
In late May, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made it clear that Voynov was still suspended by the league and, because of that, would not be allowed to play in the World Cup. But the Russians had argued that the NHL had no right to hold him out of the international tournament.
Voynov played last season for SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL. He had nine assists in 28 games, including the playoffs.