The NHL schedule has yet to be released, but regardless of the shortened season’s start date, Phoenix forward Raffi Torres will miss the Coyotes’ first eight games.
While we expect season to start jan 19th, phx coyotes Raffi Torres will sit out first 8 to finishappeal shortened suspension. 25 to 21. — Daren Millard (@darenmillard) January 8, 2013
While we expect season to start jan 19th, phx coyotes Raffi Torres will sit out first 8 to finishappeal shortened suspension. 25 to 21.
— Daren Millard (@darenmillard) January 8, 2013
Torres was suspended 25 games for a hit to the head of Marion Hossa in an April 17 playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Hossa was carted off the ice on a stretcher and Torres missed the rest of the playoffs, a total of 13 games.
Following an appeal by Torres, the penalty was reduced from 25 to 21 games on July 2.
The Coyotes were ousted in the Western Conference finals by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings in five games.
It was the longest on-ice suspension since Chris Simon was banned 30 games in Dec. 2007 and the longest handed out by NHL chief player disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan.
In 79 games for the Coyotes in 2011-12, the 31-year-old recorded 15 goals and 11 assists, as well as 83 penalty minutes.
Torres surrenders $21,341 for every regular-season game he sits out.
with files from the Associated Press
