NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Phoenix Coyotes' Raffi Torres, agent Eustace King and the NHL Players Association said Thursday they will appeal the length of the forward's 25-game suspension for a hit on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series.
The Coyotes have declined comment on the situation, and King offered little more on Thursday, saying, "We want to respect the process."
King confirmed there will be a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman but said he does not yet have a date for that meeting.
King declined to say what precedents or other specifics he, Torres and the NHLPA considered while deciding to file the appeal. But King did say they wanted "to take our time, do our diligence to decide what we wanted to do as far as moving forward. After doing our diligence, we decided we wanted to appeal, and now it's just a process."
Torres, who was suspended April 21, has sat out six games. The Coyotes can't be eliminated before Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Predators, so he's guaranteed to miss at least nine games before next season starts.
Timing might not be on Torres' side. New arbitration rules are being floated as part of the negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement. A CBA must be in place before next season for the games to take place, barring an extension.
But it's unlikely Bettman, who will rule on the appeal, will buck NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan. The league has come under heavy criticism from fans and media for not being tough enough on head shots and dirty plays.
"Gary Bettman hired Brendan Shanahan," said Coyotes player representative Jason LaBarbera. "Is he really going to overrule him?"
It's a tough situation for the NHPLA, as well. An appeal could open the union to heavy public criticism at a time when it needs public support for leverage in CBA negotiations. But LaBarbera said the players do not like the current disciplinary system.
"One person making a decision is a bad idea," he said. "I think you need to have three people — one from the league, one from the PA and an independent person. It needs to be voted on.
"I think it's something that could be negotiated (in the new CBA) for sure, and after seeing what happened in the NFL (suspensions and fines were levied for New Orleans Saints-sanctioned bounties) I'm sure those guys are looking into it, too. (Commissioner) Roger Goodell is the judge and jury.
"When it's in one person's hands, I think it's too much responsibility and too much power. I don't envy (Shanahan's) job. I know it's difficult, but it's just been so inconsistent. If you ask a lot of guys, I don't think anybody really knows what the hell is right and what's wrong anymore."
CHANGE OR STATUS QUO?
Nashville coach Barry Trotz offered little insight into whether he will keep the same lineup he had in Game 3 or reinsert suspended forwards Alex Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn for Game 4.
The Predators' lines in practice Thursday suggested there would be no changes, as Radulov and Kostitsyn skated on the same line as Craig Smith, who was also a scratch for Game 3.
"It's going to have to be something that I have to think about," Trotz said. "(Wednesday's game) was late and I came in this morning and looked at parts of our game, but I haven't really dissected the game fully. That's what I'm going to do this afternoon, and we'll make a decision as a group.
"I know it is going to be very tough if I do anything. I thought everyone was pretty committed, so I can't give a definite decision right now because I don't have that. The guys that were in got the job done and they played very hard. It would be very difficult for me to give you an exact lineup for tomorrow."
Radulov clearly hopes to play but understands the decision is not his.
"It's up to the coaches," he said. "I can only control myself. Just work hard out there, come to practice. It will be just to make sure everything is good for the team."
The issue for Trotz is that if he allows Kostitsyn and Radulov to play, he'll be messing with an old hockey belief that you don't change a winning lineup. The move might also be perceived as a slight to the players Trotz acknowledged Wednesday were "committed."
On the other hand, Kostitsyn and Radulov were added to the roster so Nashville could advance deeper in the playoffs. If they don't play and the Predators lose and fall into a 3-1 series hole, Trotz could come under heavy fire for not playing two of his best players in a desperate situation.
JUST CALL HIM 'BONES'
Coyotes center Boyd Gordon did what he does best again in Game 3, stepping in front of a Shea Weber bomb for yet another blocked shot. This one hobbled him and sent him to the dressing room, but Gordon has no plans to alter his reckless habit.
"I try not to overthink it," he said. "If you try to start thinking about who's shooting or getting hurt, that's when you get hurt. If I'm out there on a penalty kill or 5-on-5, if I can block a shot, I'll try and block it. Pretty much, it's that simple.
"You don't want to get hit on the bone, obviously. If you can get it on the pad . . . it's kind of hard in a game situation. You don't know where you're going to get hit, so it's one of those situations where sometimes you get hit in a good spot, sometimes you don't. It's just whatever happens happens."
Goalie Mike Smith appreciates what Gordon does on a nightly basis.
"The guy's a warrior," Smith said. "We're fortunate to have a guy like that on our team. We need some other guys to jump on board with him."
Smith then jokingly questioned Gordon's sanity.
"He's nuts," Smith said. "I wouldn't do that. I've got gear on and I'm scared of it sometimes."
INJURY UPDATE
Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said forward Lauri Korpikoski is still listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Korpikoski is skating, but he will likely be a game-time decision for Game 4.
