Austin Watson suspended for 27 games
Paul Skrbina of The Tennessean: The NHL has suspended Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson for 27 games after their investigation into his domestic assault charge which he pleaded no contest to earlier this offseason.
Back in July he was sentenced to three months of probation which included “an inpatient program for alcohol and substance abuse and 26 weeks of batterer intervention.’
Watson will forfeit $362,195 of his salary.
Pierre LeBrun: The NHLPA will be filing an appeal that will be heard by an impartial arbitrator. The hearing could be heard as early as next week, but no date is set yet.
Slava Voynov investigation underway
Emily Kaplan: Bill Daly said that they have just started their investigation process on Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov. The investigation will end with a hearing with commission Gary Bettman. There is no timetable.
Emily Kaplan: Voynov and his reps are confident that he won’t have any immigration issues or restrictions and there is no reason that he won’t be cooperative. Bill Daly on the type of discipline they are looking at: “Anything and everything is on the table.”
Blues sign Jordan Schmaltz for two years
Lou Korac: The St. Louis Blues signed restricted free agent defenseman Jordan Schmaltz to a two-year, $1.4 million contract. It will be a two-way deal this year at $700,000 in the NHL and $150,000 in the minors. For 2019-20 it is a one-way deal.
John Tortorella gets an extension
Aaron Portzline: The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed John Tortorella to a two-year contract extension.
Senators bring a forward on a PTO
Murray Pam: The Ottawa Senators will bring forward Jack Skille to training camp on PTO. Skille played with Dynamo in the KHL last season.
Key Dates for the NHL for the 2018-19 season
Sean Leahy: Oct 2: BOG mtg / opening day rosters set (5pm ET)
Nov 13: GM mtgs
Dec 19-27: Holiday roster freeze
Feb 25: Trade deadline (3pm ET)
March 4-6: GM mtgs
April 10: SC Playoffs begin
June 15: Last possible SCF game
June 20: GM mtgs