Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres will still be required to serve the final eight games of his suspension stemming from a hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa during last season's playoffs, according to NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly as told to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune on Monday night.
During Game 3 of the first round series between the two teams, Torres illegally hit Hossa and made contact with his head. While Torres was not penalized on the play, the league determined that the hit deserved discipline and suspended him for 25 games.
That suspension was later shortened to 21 games on July 2.
Due to the condensed 48-game regular season schedule, there was question as to whether the suspension would also be shortened. Daly confirmed that it will not:
"The terms of the Torres suspension remain the same, as modified by the Commissioner's decision last summer. Neither the lockout nor the transition rules (in the new collective bargaining agreement) impacted the terms of the Torres suspension."
Torres has already served 13 games of the suspension, as the Coyotes managed to advance to the Western Conference Final last season.
He will be permitted to participate in practice during the course of the suspension and will be eligible to return to game action on Feb. 2 when the Coyotes host the Dallas Stars.