Raffi Torres Suspension Trimmed To 21 Games

Raffi Torres Suspension Reduced By 4 Games

Raffi Torres' 25-game suspension has been trimmed by four games, the NHL announced Monday. He'll serve eight more games of the suspension next season.

Torres was handed the suspension after a brutal hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa during the Western Conference Quarterfinals in April. He served 13 games against the suspension during the Phoenix Coyotes playoff run and had 12 games remaining on the ban prior to the decision from Commissioner Gary Bettman. In early May, Torres appealed the original suspension handed out by Brendan Shanahan.

"This type of on-ice conduct cannot and will not be tolerated in the National Hockey League," Bettman said in a statement. "We have seen similar behavior before from Mr. Torres and, particularly given the league’s heightened scrutiny on hits to the head, I believe that a very significant penalty is warranted in this case. We hope and expect that the severity of this incident, and the league’s response to it, will help prevent any similar incident from occurring in the future."

Torres will be eligible to return to the Coyotes lineup on Nov. 2 when they visit the Ottawa Senators. He will still miss the entirety of the NHL preseason. He'll forfeit $170,731.68 in salary.

The timing of the NHL's decision is a bit curious as they embark in collective bargaining with the NHL Players' Association. It could be seen as a gesture of good will towards a union that feels the suspension appeal process is less than ideal.

Raffi Torres Suspension: League Not In Rush To Hand Down Appeal Decision

The NHL suspended Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Raffi Torres during the NHL Playoffs after a brutal hit on Chicago Blackhawks' Marian Hossa. The hit was dangerous and crossed the line, which contributed to the suspension being for 25 games and spilling over into the regular season. Naturally, Torres has appealed the decision, but the NHL isn't looking to rule on the appeal quickly

"I think the appeal process works quite well because most of you don't know this, while Brendan Shanahan administers commissioner discipline, as it's called, the fact is, I don't get involved in the decisions that he makes, in large part because that's what we require under our system and our procedures because any appeal will come to me, and I hear it on a de novo basis without deference to the original decision," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"Mr. Torres sent us a notice of appeal about two weeks after the original decision was rendered. We promptly scheduled an in-person hearing, which he requested," Bettman said. "I now have to write an opinion, which I will do, am doing, but there are a couple of other things going on. Since Phoenix's season is over, the timing of this isn't quite as imperative as if the Coyotes were still playing. But in the not-too-distant future, I'll issue an opinion. "

For more on Torres, head over to Phoenix Coyotes blog Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the entire league, check out SB Nation's NHL hub.

Los Angeles Kings Win Is Very Bad For Raffi Torres

Raffi Torres Suspension Appeal To Be Heard Thursday, According To Report

Raffi Torres has decided to appeal his 25-game suspension, and he'll meet with the league on Thursday to do so, according to a report from Sportsnet.

The suspension was originally handed down in April during the Western Conference Semifinal series between the Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks. Torres delivered a brutal, illegal hit on Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa in Game 3. Torres completed the trifecta on the check: He hit a player who didn't have the puck, he targeted Hossa's head and left his feet while delivering the hit.

Ultimately, the decision to overturn the suspension falls on Commissioner Gary Bettman. It seems unlikely that he'll lessen the blow on Torres' 25-game ban, which will force him to miss the remainder of the NHL postseason and perhaps even games next season, depending on how deep the Coyotes advance in these playoffs and how many games they have to play should they reach the Stanley Cup Final.

Torres' 25-game suspension is the longest in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.

Raffi Torres To Appeal 25-Game Suspension

The Phoenix Coyotes are pressing on in the NHL Playoffs without Raffi Torres, but if he has it his way and the Coyotes keep winning, he could be back before their playoff run ends. Torres believes that his 25-game suspension for a hit to the head of Chicago Blackhawks' winger Marian Hossa was excessive, and has asked the NHLPA to appeal his suspension.

Under the current CBA, commissioner Gary Bettman is basically in control of whether or not Torres is worthy of listening to, as well as how much time and attention his case deserves. The players aren't really thrilled with this, and they might bring it up in CBA negotiations this summer.

All appeals are heard by Commissioner Bettman. He can decide to a) have in-person hearing b) phone hearing or c) none at all

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 3, 2012

Torres was deemed to have broken three separate NHL rules on his hit to Hossa, but perhaps more importantly, was called a repeat offender when the suspension was handed down. Even if he has a legitimate case about the suspension for his hit on Hossa being excessive, his status as a repeat violator of NHL rules might make it less likely that Bettman is willing to listen to his appeal.

For more on Torres, head over to Phoenix Coyotes blog Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the entire league, check out SB Nation's NHL hub.

Raffi Torres Saves $64,024 Thanks To Coyotes' Series Win

Raffi Torres Suspension: Coyotes Agree Hit 'Crossed The Line'

The NHL announced on Saturday that they would be suspending Raffi Torres for 25 games due to his vicious and dangerous hit on Chicago Blackhawks skater Marian Hossa. The Phoenix Coyotes winger was deemed a "repeat offender" by the league and was given the longest postseason suspension in nearly 20 years.

On Saturday, the Coyotes released an official statement in response to the NHL's ruling and agreed with the judgment. Coyotes general manager Don Maloney had this to say:

"I want to thank Brendan Shanahan and his staff for their thorough review of this incident," said Maloney. "The ruling is very severe for Raffi and our Hockey Club. Raffi plays a hard, physical game yet this contact crossed the line on what is acceptable in our game today. We hope Marian Hossa makes a full and speedy recovery as we all enjoy watching him perform. The Club accepts the NHL's decision and will focus on our game tonight."

No matter how deep the Coyotes make it into the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, Torres will miss the remainder of the postseason.

For all news and information regarding the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, please visit SB Nation's dedicated NHL hub. For more from the Phoenix perspective, head over to the Five For Howling. For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.

Raffi Torres Suspended, Termed Repeat Offender By NHL

Phoenix Coyotes winger Raffi Torres has been suspended 25 games for his hit on Marian Hossa and will miss the rest of the NHL playoffs and some of the 2012 NHL season. One of the focal points in the length of Torres' suspension was the fact that he violated three separate rules with the hit, as well as being deemed a "repeat offender" by the NHL's new CBA.

Over the past 13 months Torres has been suspended by the NHL twice for flagrant hits.

In January, Torres was suspended for leaving his feet to check Minnesota Wild defenseman Nate Prosser, a hit similar to the one Torres landed on Hossa in Thursday night's game. NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan gave Torres a two-game suspension for the Prosser hit. Torres left his feet at Prosser on the same day that he was fined $2,500 for elbowing Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda a few games earlier.

Torres was also suspended for four games in April 2011 for a hit on Edmonton Oilers' Jordan Eberle. In the NHL Playoffs that season Torres knocked Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook out of the game with a hard hit behind the net. Torres wasn't suspended then because that type of hit wasn't illegal under the head shot rule at the time.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Coyotes vs. Blackhawks series coverage. For more from the Phoenix perspective, head over to the Five For Howling. For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.

Raffi Torres Suspended 25 Games For Marian Hossa Hit

Raffi Torres delivered a brutal hit to Marian Hossa on Tuesday night. He has now been suspended for 25 games by the NHL as a result.

Raffi Torres Suspension Decision Coming Saturday; Marian Hossa To Miss Game 5

Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres and general manager Don Maloney flew to New York on Friday for Torres' in-person suspension hearing at the NHL's offices in Manhattan.

Following the meeting, the league's Department of Player Safety said that "Brendan Shanahan will announce Saturday whether the NHL Department of Player Safety will assess further supplemental discipline" to Torres. The Coyote already missed Game 4 on Thursday night at United Center after his indefinite suspension following his hit to Marian Hossa in Game 3.

Hossa has been diagnosed with a concussion, and while he's out of the hospital, he will not play in a do-or-die Game 5 for the Blackhawks and his status going forward (should Chicago stave off elimination) is unknown.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Coyotes vs. Blackhawks series coverage. For more from the Phoenix perspective, head over to the Five For Howling. For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.

Marian Hossa Injury: Blackhawks Forward Ruled Out For Game 4 Vs. Coyotes

Marian Hossa will miss Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal against the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night at United Center. Hossa was injured in the first period of Game 3 on a brutal hit by Coyotes forward Raffi Torres. He was taken to the hospital and released on Tuesday night, but his injuries will keep him out of action for at least a game.

Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, saying that there's "no change" in Hossa's status. He remains at home recovering from his injuries, and no, the Blackhawks haven't spoken publicly about what exactly those injuries are outside of "upper body."

Torres, meanwhile, will miss Game 4 as well. He could miss much more time after being suspended indefinitely by the league for the hit, but that will be decided at an in-person hearing on Friday in New York City.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Coyotes vs. Blackhawks series coverage. For more from the Phoenix perspective, head over to the Five For Howling. For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.

Raffi Torres Suspended Indefinitely Pending NHL Hearing For Marian Hossa Hit

Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has been suspended indefinitely pending an NHL hearing on Friday for his vicious hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa during Tuesday night's Western Conference Quarterfinal Game 3. Torres will travel to the NHL's office in Manhattan for the in-person hearing, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday but delayed at the request of the NHL Players Association.

The timing of Friday's hearing means Torres will certainly miss Thursday's Game 4 at United Center, but it's likely he misses more. When holding in-person hearings -- as opposed to the over-the-phone variety -- the NHL reserves the right to suspend a player for five games or more, which is certainly possible in this instance. Torres can waive the right to an in-person hearing, but given the NHLPA's delay, it seems as though he'll be making the trip to meet with Brendan Shanahan and the Department of Player Safety.

Video: Raffi Torres' hit on Marian Hossa

Hossa was hospitalized following the hit, which occurred during the first period. It was a late hit in which Torres targeted Hossa's head while leaving his feet -- the illegal trifecta, one might say.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Coyotes vs. Blackhawks series coverage. For more from the Phoenix perspective, head over to the Five For Howling. For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.

VIDEO: Joel Quenneville Not Happy With Raffi Torres, NHL Officials

Marian Hossa Injury: Blackhawks Forward Briefly Hospitalized After Brutal Hit

Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa was briefly hospitalized Tuesday after suffering a brutal hit by Coyotes forward Raffi Torres. Hossa was skating through the neutral zone without the puck when Torres left his skates to deliver the blow, leading with his shoulder and connecting with Hossa's face. Hossa eventually left the ice on a stretcher.

The Blackhawks released a statement Tuesday evening:

"Marian Hossa suffered an upper body blow in the first period of tonight's game. After initial evaluation on the ice he was taken by ambulance to the hospital for further testing, which yielded encouraging results. He has been released from the hospital, and we are monitoring him closely at home. We anticipate a full recovery in a timetable yet to be determined. "

Torres wasn't penalized on the play, but the NHL may still levy punishment after reviewing the play.

"It's tough. You saw the hit," Chicago's Patrick Kane said between periods, according to the Associated Press. "I think it'll be reviewed by the league. It's just tough you don't get a power play out of it. Hossa's a big part of our team so someone's going to have to step up and fill the void."

The Blackhawks would eventually lose the game in overtime, 4-3. The Coyotes now hold a 2-1 series advantage, with Game 4 being held Thursday in Chicago before the series returns to Phoenix on Saturday.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Coyotes vs. Blackhawks series coverage. For more from the Phoenix perspective, head over to the Five For Howling. For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.

Marian Hossa Injury: Blackhawks Forward Removed On Stretcher After Raffi Torres Hit

Marian Hossa was removed from the ice on a stretcher after receiving a late, illegal hit from Raffi Torres.