NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL is criticizing an arbitrator’s decision to reduce the suspension of Nashville Predators forward Austin
Watson
Columbus Blue Jackets Hoodies Authentic , who pleaded no contest in July to a domestic assault charge. Watson received a 27-game suspension from NHL
Commissioner Gary Bettman last month. The NHL and NHL Players’ Association
announced Thursday that arbitrator Shyam Das had reduced it to 18 games .The NHL
issued a statement Friday saying that “we are disappointed with the Arbitrator’s
decision.”“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,” the NHL said in its statement.The NHL added that “we
will not hesitate to adhere to and enforce — through firm discipline as
necessary — the standards of personal conduct we feel are appropriate for our
league.”The NHL doesn’t have a written domestic violence policy and takes each
situation on a case by case basis.The NHLPA also released a statement Friday,
saying: “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. “As part of those efforts, the NHL/NHLPA conduct domestic
violence awareness training at our Rookie Orientation Program and during the
season for all NHL players.“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.” Watson was arrested June 16 after a witness flagged down a
police officer to a gas station in Franklin, Tennessee. Watson told police he
and his girlfriend were arguing and that he pushed her. Officers said they found
red marks on her chest, and she said Watson caused them. Watson pleaded no
contest to domestic assault on July 24. He can have the misdemeanor charge
dismissed by fulfilling terms of his judicial diversion program. Watson must
serve three months of probation and complete both an in-patient treatment
program and a batterer’s intervention program.Watson is a former first-round
draft pick who scored a career-high 14 goals and had five assists in 76 games
during the 2017-18 regular season. He had five goals and three assists in 13
playoff games.The 26-year-old Watson has 23 goals and 24 assists in 216 career
regular-season games
Columbus Blue Jackets Hats Authentic , all with the Predators. BOSTON (AP) — Patrice Bergeron missed the entire exhibition season and most of training camp
recovering from back spasms that followed offseason groin surgery.It doesn’t
seem to have slowed him down.The Bruins forward had his fourth career hat trick,
scoring his first goal just 30 seconds into the game, and Tuukka Rask stopped 28
shots for his first win of the season to help Boston beat the Ottawa Senators
6-3 in its home opener on Monday.Two games after the Bruins lost the season
opener to the Stanley Cup champion Capitals 7-0, allowing a goal just 24 seconds
in, Bergeron opened their home season in similar fashion.“He’s impressive. He’s
a competitor,” said linemate Brad Marchand, who had three assists for a
league-leading seven through just three games this season. “He wants to be the
best player on the ice every night.”Bergeron also had an assist, David Pastrnak
had two goals and two assists and defenseman Charlie McAvoy had his first career
three-assist game for Boston. Chris Wagner also scored for the Bruins
Custom Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys , who beat Ottawa for the fifth straight time and won their second straight this year since losing to the
Capitals the night they raised their championship banner.Mike Condon made 24
saves and Ryan Dzingel scored twice for the Senators, who picked up a 5-on-3
power play with about 12 minutes left but failed to score.“Those are momentum
builders,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “That makes a difference, if they
get a goal get back into it.”The 2014 Vezina Trophy winner, Rask was pulled from
the opener against Washington after allowing five goals on 19 shots in less than
28 minutes. Backup Jaroslav Halak replaced him and also started the second game,
a 4-0 win over Buffalo on Thursday.“Well, I finished the game,” Rask said with a
smirk. “I guess that qualifies as a lot better.”Rask was spotted a 2-0 lead in
Monday’s matinee
www.officialstarsproonline.com , thanks to Bergeron’s goal off a rebound in the crease in the first minute. The
Bruins forward also scored on a power play from the right faceoff circle with
three minutes left in the first.“You’re trying to have a good, strong start,”
Bergeron said. “It’s not always going to be a goal.”It was 3-2 after two periods
when Bergeron scored off Ottawa defenseman Cody Ceci’s knee 4:38 into the third,
sending a shower of caps onto the ice. Pastrnak made it 5-2 with 3½ minutes
left, but Bobby Ryan cut the deficit back to two goals just 30 seconds
later.Pastrnak added an empty-netter from mid-ice.Boston fans broke into a
couple of “Yankees Suck!” chants in the third period, a few hours before the Red
Sox played New York in Game 3 of the AL Division Series.“I agree with that
chant, by the way. I’m all for it. I’m excited for the Red Sox,” Cassidy said.
“Let’s face it
Dallas Stars T-Shirts Authentic , when you have four teams that are in the mix — (it would) suck to be like Cleveland. Although they’re turning the corner,
I shouldn’t say that. They’ve got a quarterback now, but I think we’re spoiled
here.”NOTES: The Bruins had lost six straight to Ottawa before sweeping the
Senators last season 4-0-0. … Ottawa did not have a captain in uniform with the
offseason trade of Erik Karlsson to San Jose. Matt Duchene, Mark Stone and Zack
Smith served as alternates.UP NEXTSenators: Host Flyers on Wednesday
night.Bruins: Host Edmonton on Thursday night.
