Phoenix forward Raffi Torres and the NHLPA are appealing the 25-game suspension he received for hitting Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa in Game 3 of their playoff series, according to TSN.ca.
The appeal could be next week, according to the report; commissioner Gary Bettman acts as arbitrator in these cases.
Torres was suspended for violating three rules, according to Brendan Shanahan: interference, charging and an illegal check to the head. Hossa was taken off on a stretcher and sent to the hospital, from which he was released later that night. Hossa, who missed the rest of the series with a suspected concussion, is currently back home in Slovakia.
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The day he was suspended, Torres released this statement regarding it:
My main concern is for the healthy recovery of Marian Hossa, and I hope that he will be able to get back on the ice to compete again soon. I sincerely regret injuring Marian. Regarding the severity of the suspension issued, I will take the next few days to decide whether or not to appeal the decision.
The Torres suspension set a precedent that the NHL was cracking down on head shots. It was the longest suspension since Chris Simon was assessed a 30-game suspension for stomping on Jarkko Ruutus ankle in late 2007.