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NHL Fires Back After Player's Domestic Assault Suspension Gets Reduced

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Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson had his domestic violence suspension reduced from 27 games to 18 games, and the NHL isn’t happy about it.

Watson received a 27-game suspension in September from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman after being arrested in June on a charge of domestic assault.

A witness flagged down police and reported seeing Watson “swat” his girlfriend at a gas station June 16. Watson admitted he pushed her and pleaded no contest to the domestic assault charge, and the NHL suspended him as a result.

However, the NHL doesn’t have a domestic violence policy, so everything is taken on a case-by-case basis. Thus, Watson appealed the suspension and an arbitrator reduced it by 33 percent to 18 games.

The NHL issued a statement saying it supported the player’s right to appeal but was disappointed in the suspension reduction.

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“We are disappointed with the Arbitrator’s decision,” the league said in its statement. “We firmly believe that the right of appeal to an arbitrator of League discipline was never intended to substitute the arbitrator’s judgment for that of the Commissioner, particularly on matters of important League policy and the articulation of acceptable standards of conduct for individuals involved in the National Hockey League.”

Watson’s appeal was filed through the NHL Players’ Association, and the NHLPA also released a statement, which said, in part: “The NHLPA takes domestic violence seriously and continues to work together with the NHL to ensure that players are educated on this important societal issue. …

Should the NHL create an official domestic violence policy in the wake of this case?

“The CBA provides players with the right to appeal discipline imposed by the NHL for off-ice conduct to an impartial arbitrator. This essential right is intended to encourage the fair and consistent application of discipline. The arbitrator’s independence helps ensure that the process and decision are fair. That is a principle to which we should always strive to adhere, even in cases where the subject matter is as difficult as domestic violence.”

Former NHL coach/GM and current broadcaster Doug MacLean said on Sportsnet he was “appalled” that the suspension was reduced.

“I don’t know who to be more upset with here,” MacLean said. “I’m appalled that the NHLPA appealed this. I’m appalled that the arbitrator reduced the suspension. This is a societal issue, and we do this? What message does this send to young men, to young ladies, to our fans? I mean, come on.

“This is ridiculous. I don’t get it for a minute. I’m upset about it. I’m ticked off, and I’m lost as to who was thinking this.”

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic pointed out that the arbitrator, Shyam Das, has been at the center of controversy before. He was also the arbitrator in the case involving Ryan Braun’s overturned suspension for PEDs.

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Das overturned Braun’s suspension due to a “technicality,” and Braun would later be suspended again for the same offense. MLB fired Das shortly after he overturned Braun’s first suspension.

Watson played in 76 games with the Predators last season and scored 14 goals. He will be eligible to return to the ice for the Preds on Nov. 15.

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Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009.
Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009 and previously worked for ESPN, CBS and STATS Inc. A native of Louisiana, Ross now resides in Houston.
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