The NHL and MLB were forced to put their foot down with some issues involving key players on Wednesday, as they both felt they had no other choice. First, the NHL opened their season by suspending troublesome forward Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals 20 games for an illegal hit to the head during Sunday's preseason game. The hit came on St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist, making Wilson a repeat offender, which adds to the punishment.
Being a repeat offender means that Wilson will will forfeit $1,260,162.60 under the league's collective bargaining agreement. The news was revealed by the NHL's Department of Player Safety following an in-person hearing on Wednesday morning. Wilson has been suspended so much as of late that the Department of Player Safety had no formula of punishment for a player that has been suspended this much.
The forward has been suspended four times since September, totaling 105 games missed, and included a three-game ban during last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. His current suspension is the longest in the league since Raffi Torres of the San Jose Sharks got 41 games for a hit to the head in October of 2015. Since the ban is more than six games, Wilson can appeal and will do so directly to a neutral arbitrator.
Meanwhile, MLB laid down the law as well, but for a different issue, as Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell was handed a 40-game suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the news on Wednesday afternoon, as Russell has accepted the punishment. The suspension stems from his ex-wife's allegations of his abuse, which caused him to go on administrative leave on September 21st. The suspension is retroactive to that date.
Russell will not appeal the suspension and will participate in a confidential and comprehensive evaluation and treatment program. Despite all of this, he has denied the allegations, but he will not be eligible to play until May 3rd, 2019. That is barring any postponements, as he already missed 11 regular season games, and the Cubs' 2-1, 13-inning NL Wild Card loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.
The Cubs do have a decision to make regarding their troubled shortstop, who will be a free agent if he is not tendered this off-season. The Cubs have not decided on whether or not they will keep him around. Russell hit .250 with five home runs and 38 RBIs in 130 games this season, this after hitting .238 with 21 home runs and 95 RBIs in 151 games last season after coming over in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.
Being a repeat offender means that Wilson will will forfeit $1,260,162.60 under the league's collective bargaining agreement. The news was revealed by the NHL's Department of Player Safety following an in-person hearing on Wednesday morning. Wilson has been suspended so much as of late that the Department of Player Safety had no formula of punishment for a player that has been suspended this much.
The forward has been suspended four times since September, totaling 105 games missed, and included a three-game ban during last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. His current suspension is the longest in the league since Raffi Torres of the San Jose Sharks got 41 games for a hit to the head in October of 2015. Since the ban is more than six games, Wilson can appeal and will do so directly to a neutral arbitrator.
Meanwhile, MLB laid down the law as well, but for a different issue, as Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell was handed a 40-game suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the news on Wednesday afternoon, as Russell has accepted the punishment. The suspension stems from his ex-wife's allegations of his abuse, which caused him to go on administrative leave on September 21st. The suspension is retroactive to that date.
Russell will not appeal the suspension and will participate in a confidential and comprehensive evaluation and treatment program. Despite all of this, he has denied the allegations, but he will not be eligible to play until May 3rd, 2019. That is barring any postponements, as he already missed 11 regular season games, and the Cubs' 2-1, 13-inning NL Wild Card loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.
The Cubs do have a decision to make regarding their troubled shortstop, who will be a free agent if he is not tendered this off-season. The Cubs have not decided on whether or not they will keep him around. Russell hit .250 with five home runs and 38 RBIs in 130 games this season, this after hitting .238 with 21 home runs and 95 RBIs in 151 games last season after coming over in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.
