The Kings decided to get a bit crafty and see if they could sneak one past the league office today.
Didn't end up working out all that great.
The Kings held what they termed an "optional" practice today, which in and of itself is not that strange or surprising. What was surprising was the presence of suspended defenseman Slava Voynov on the ice with the rest of his teammates.
Voynov is currently facing charges of domestic violence in connection with an incident involving his wife that occurred in October. Just yesterday, Voynov appeared in court and plead not guilty to the charges, per ESPN.
According to Rich Hammond of the OC Register, the Kings did not get clearance from the league to allow Voynov onto the ice. The team claimed that the "optional" nature of the non-practice, practice meant that Voynov could take part.
The league wasn't buying it.
The NHL released a statement today announcing that the Kings would be fined $100,000 for allowing Voynov to take part in the practice-that-wasn't-really-a-practice.
"The Los Angeles Kings have been fined $100,000 for violating the terms of defenseman Slava Voynov's suspension, the National Hockey League announced today. Voynov skated with teammates today during a club practice. Such activity is in direct contravention of the terms of the suspension levied Oct. 20, which permit Mr. Voynov to use club facilities and work with team personnel but prohibit his participation in any team-related functions or activities," the statement reads.
You have to think the Kings were either hoping the league wouldn't care or wouldn't notice; otherwise they're just willingly ignoring the NHL's mandate.
