Slava Voynov Has Applied For NHL Reinstatement

Slava Voynov, former Los Angeles Kings defenseman that was suspended because of a domestic abuse case, has been trying to find a way back into the NHL since leaving the KHL after last season. Today, Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period and Sirius XM NHL Network Radio tweets that Voynov has indeed applied for reinstatement and passes along a quote from NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly:

We’re in process of an intense factual investigation. I’m not in a position to give timeline. When investigation is done, Commissioner will deal with his application for reinstatement.

Even if Voynov was reinstated, he would likely face a lengthy suspension from the league and would have to convince a team to complete a sign and trade with the Kings. That process may prove even more difficult than the league’s investigation, since it would come with a hailstorm of bad public relations for any team. Voynov is a talented, right-handed defenseman, but was essentially exiled from the NHL in 2014 and doesn’t have any clear suitors in the league yet.

Just because teams haven’t come out and shown their interest, doesn’t mean there isn’t any though. Earlier this summer, Katie Strang of The Athletic detailed in an unlocked story the entire Voynov saga and reported that “multiple NHL teams” have shown some interest. That doesn’t mean that any of them would step up to sign the 28-year old, given the obviously horrendous optics the signing would bring. For now, we’ll just have to wait for the NHL’s investigation to conclude and see if Commissioner Gary Bettman even rules that Voynov is eligible for reinstatement.