Predators winger Austin Watson pleaded no contest to his domestic violence charge today, notes Natalie Neysa Alund of The Tennessean. Watson will spend the next three months on probation and has been placed on judicial diversion. That means that if he abides by the terms set, his case will be expunged.
In the meantime, the NHL released a statement (Twitter link) indicating that they will initiate a full investigation into the matter to determine what, if any, supplemental discipline will be warranted. Unlike other leagues, the NHL does not have a blanket domestic violence policy so any discipline is determined on a case-by-case basis.
More from around the West:
- With Joel Edmundson re-signing with the Blues earlier today, the team is down to a pair of remaining restricted free agents in fellow defensemen Petteri Lindbohm and Jordan Schmaltz. GM Doug Armstrong told Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that they expect to get a deal done with Schmaltz but that there’s no rush to do so. Meanwhile, Timmermann suggests that Lindbohm could potentially sign overseas given his uncertain status on the depth chart. If that was to happen, St. Louis would retain his rights.
- After locking up center Adam Henrique to a five-year extension last week, Ducks GM Bob Murray told Elliott Teaford of the Orange County Register (Twitter link) that they hope to lock up goaltender John Gibson and winger Jakob Silfverberg to long-term deals as well. Both players are entering the final year of their respective contracts with Gibson being eligible for restricted free agency with arbitration rights next summer while Silfverberg will is set to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
I really feel Silfverberg’s value is unquantifiable as far as a a long-term deal goes. His production is so up and down. He’s a great two-way, complimentary top 6 winger with the potential to score 30-goals. It just seems like he’s never going to be able to eclipse that 50-point barrier though.
what a joke! Voynov spends two months in jail and has to leave the country and Watson gets a slap on the wrists. Where is the the justice in this ruling??