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AP

Voynov will leave Kings, return to Russia

By James O'BrienSep 16, 2015, 7:23 PM EDT
13 Comments

By going with the option to “self-depart,” Slava Voynov is leaving the Los Angeles Kings and heading back to Russia.

Voynov released a statement via his agent, Rolland Hedges, sharing the stunning (yet perhaps foreseeable?) decision:

“Earlier today, I notified the National Hockey League, National Hockey League Players’ Association and the Los Angeles Kings of my decision to immediately begin the formal process of returning to Russia with my family. I sincerely apologize to those in and around the game of hockey who have been affected by my situation, and I also wish the players of the LA Kings success in the future.”

The OC Register’s Rich Hammond reports that this decision may allow Voynov to return to North America at some point in the future:

Also, Hammond notes that this isn’t quite a done deal, although the process is likely to be completed.

As far as Voynov’s money goes, it appears that the Kings are free of that burden:

As Puck Daddy reports, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirms that there will be “no cap charge” for the Kings.

Update: The Kings released a statement regarding Voynov, which you can read more about here.

Also, Hammond explains that Voynov is going to self-depart, not self-deport:

Bettman: overwhelmingly players do the right thing

AP
By James O'BrienSep 11, 2015, 5:38 PM EDT
4 Comments

This off-season presents a slew of bad headlines for the NHL, something its players and commissioner both notice.

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun caught up with some of the league’s biggest movers and shakers to find out how they feel about these situations.

In the case of the players, stars like Tyler Seguin and Sidney Crosby said that you must learn to be careful.

The league itself may try to do something a little more concrete to prevent or least limit future issues, including what Bill Daly describes as “an additional educational program.”

Even so, Gary Bettman seems confident that most players conduct themselves properly. He also argues that the NHL is doing its part, too.

“… We’ve had a variety of programs in place, we’re constantly looking at what we can do to make sure that the programs are touching the right bases and are effective, but we focus on what we think is best for our players and our game,” Bettman said. “As I’ve said, overwhelmingly our players do the right things.”

It’s been a week of updates regarding legal situations for the likes of Slava Voynov, Patrick Kane, Ryan O'Reilly and Mike Richards, yet closure has been tough to come by. With proceedings getting postponed, these negative headlines continue to reverberate.

Going forward, the league can only do so much, but officials would indeed be wise to consider every avenue.

For more thoughts from Bettman, Crosby, Seguin and others on this subject, check out LeBrun’s full article.

Report: Grand jury for Kane case to resume soon

AP
By James O'BrienSep 11, 2015, 9:50 AM EDT
22 Comments

After being postponed earlier this week, the latest word from the Chicago Tribune on Thursday is that a grand jury is expected to resume regarding Patrick Kane‘s alleged rape investigation.

Paul Cambria told the Tribune that the grand jury wasn’t pushed back on his request, and he wasn’t sure why it was canceled. Cambria also doesn’t know when the grand jury will resume, only that it will happen soon.

Others told the Tribune that it could happen sometime in the next two weeks. There’s no word how this may affect Kane’s involvement in Blackhawks training camp, which kicks off on Sept. 18.

One other noteworthy element is that Cambria said the 26-year-old “did nothing wrong,” backing up sentiments expressed by Kane’s agent.

There have been a few legal postponements lately, from Mike Richards’ situation being moved to December to Ryan O'Reilly‘s situation getting postponed to October.

Related

Police confirm investigation

Jonathan Toews on Kane

What happens with Kane?

Mike Richards’ case pushed back to December

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By James O'BrienSep 10, 2015, 5:45 PM EDT
6 Comments

A lawyer appeared in court on Mike Richards’ behalf on Thursday, and the ultimate result is that his case has been remanded to Dec. 8, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

No plea was entered regarding charges of possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone).

The incident happened at the Emerson Border Crossing as Richards was entering Canada on June 17, while the arrest itself happened on Aug. 25.

The Los Angeles Kings terminated his contract on June 29, citing a “material breach.” The NHLPA filed a grievance on the 30-year-old forward’s behalf, though a date hasn’t yet been set for that to come to a conclusion.

Much like the cases of Patrick Kane, Ryan O'Reilly and Slava Voynov, there are still things to clarify. Richards’ situation is different in at least one way, however, as he currently isn’t technically under an NHL contract.

PHT will provide updates regarding Richards whenever they may come.

Wild assistant Sydor arrested for suspected drunk driving, child endangerment

By James O'BrienAug 21, 2015, 11:22 AM EDT
30 Comments

Minnesota Wild assistant coach Darryl Sydor was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk in Fridley, Minn. on Thursday, Dave Aeikens of ABC affiliate KSTP reports.

Sydor, 43, was driving with his 12-year-old son in the vehicle, according to the Fridley Police Department. He reportedly failed field sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol level of .30.

Local police expect Sydor to appear in court today, with the specific charges being a second-degree DUI and child endangerment, the Pioneer Press’ Chad Graff reports.

Sydor has been an assistant with the Wild for the past four years and enjoyed a lengthy NHL playing career, most notably with the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning. He has four children.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune notes Sydor’s struggles with alcohol and decision to seek treatment in the past:

Sydor said in April that he sought treatment for alcoholism last summer. He entered a rehabilitation facility in Canada and had tattoos of the date of his sobriety on each hand between his thumb and index finger (where you would hold a glass). He said, in April, that it was a reminder that he should not drink.

The Wild provided the following statement regarding Sydor:

We are aware of the reports regarding Darryl Sydor. We are continuing to gather information and will have further comment at the appropriate time.

Update: Sydor was released on $12K bail on Friday; read more about that here.