if a cop arrests you for possessing drugs, it usually means they are being held illegally. Unless you have a prescription. If he had that, why would he be arrested? Not sure how you come out innocent there
- funmaster18

Why even bother holding a trial then. Just go straight to sentencing.

you can be arrested, still be guilty and also still not be convicted.
- wilsonecho91

these are facts. i don't even know where I'm going with this anymore

Why even bother holding a trial then. Just go straight to sentencing.
- MJL

You can go to trial for a red light violation but if the cop shows up you get the ticket. Why go to trial? It's different than Kane being accused by a 3rd party of a crime, IMO, than a cop finding drugs in your car. Not saying the cop can't be lying or wrong, but you don't have much of a chance

You can go to trial for a red light violation but if the cop shows up you get the ticket. Why go to trial? It's different than Kane being accused by a 3rd party of a crime, IMO, than a cop finding drugs in your car. Not saying the cop can't be lying or wrong, but you don't have much of a chance
- funmaster18

You get the ticket if the judge finds you guilty. It's about due process, not comparing the two crimes. If the Richards situation was so cut and dry, why the delay between when the incident happened, and formal charges being filed?

You get the ticket if the judge finds you guilty. It's about due process, not comparing the two crimes. If the Richards situation was so cut and dry, why the delay between when the incident happened, and formal charges being filed?
- MJL

Good point. I haven't followed any of this closely but LA jumped all over losing his contract as quickly as the cuffs were slapped on him. Chicago didn't even go this far with Kane.

Good point. I haven't followed any of this closely but LA jumped all over losing his contract as quickly as the cuffs were slapped on him. Chicago didn't even go this far with Kane.
- SuperSchennBros

Exactly. Nor did LA with Voynov.

You get the ticket if the judge finds you guilty. It's about due process, not comparing the two crimes. If the Richards situation was so cut and dry, why the delay between when the incident happened, and formal charges being filed?
- MJL

You think the judge will take your word over a cop in my scenario? I've been there with the red light thing and they produce zero evidence but the cops word. They don't arrest you for possessing drugs at the border because they feel like it. I think they were deciding whether or not to press charges, not decide whether or not he had the drugs on him.

Either way I get what you're saying and I don't think it's fair to terminate a contract without t a conviction, I just get why it might easier for the Kings to assume and terminate rather than Chicago, where the accuser and was some girl from the bar and not a police officer. And that's not considering that one is Richards and one is Kane.

Exactly. Nor did LA with Voynov.
- MJL

I get the idea that LA and Richards were at odds over his drug use already and this was the final straw. Pure speculation on my part but it's the only thing that makes sense other than looking for a cheap way to get out of a contract

Exactly. Nor did LA with Voynov.
- MJL

If the NHL had jumped in and suspended Mike Richards right away the Kings couldn't have dumped his contract either.

You think the judge will take your word over a cop in my scenario? I've been there with the red light thing and they produce zero evidence but the cops word. They don't arrest you for possessing drugs at the border because they feel like it. I think they were deciding whether or not to press charges, not decide whether or not he had the drugs on him.

Either way I get what you're saying and I don't think it's fair to terminate a contract without t a conviction, I just get why it might easier for the Kings to assume and terminate rather than Chicago, where the accuser and was some girl from the bar and not a police officer. And that's not considering that one is Richards and one is Kane.
- funmaster18

Doesn't matter if the judge will take your word. There is still due process. As soon as they call your case, the judge doesn't say the cop is here, so guilty. You're given an opportunity to present evidence and defend yourself. If all you have is your word, well then yea, the judge is going to favor the cop. You still were given due process, and a chance to defend yourself. There was a formal investigation into the Richards incident, to see if the law was actually broken. If it was completely cut and dry, it wouldn't have taken that long to file charges.

I understand the difference between a cop as the accuser, and a girl from a bar. Kane also hasn't been arrested.

I get the idea that LA and Richards were at odds over his drug use already and this was the final straw. Pure speculation on my part but it's the only thing that makes sense other than looking for a cheap way to get out of a contract
- funmaster18

I think it's simply about not wanting Richards anymore as a player, and still wanting Voynov.

For the record, if Voynov is not deported, I don't think the Kings should void his contract.

If the NHL had jumped in and suspended Mike Richards right away the Kings couldn't have dumped his contract either.
- mayorofangrytown

The NHL had to approve the Kings voiding Richards contract. So they're in on it.

The NHL had to approve the Kings voiding Richards contract. So they're in on it.
- MJL

So you're saying the Kings wanted to keep Voynov's contract on their cap?

A lot of people missing the point that Kane is going to create a media circus around the team now. It doesn't matter if he should be allowed to play or not. The guy should do the right thing by stepping away from the team until this goes to court. I don't care if you're a superstar or a ECHL goon.

Then again Kane's past shows us that he doesn't make the best decisions. What a crappy situation the Hawks front office is being put in here.

So you're saying the Kings wanted to keep Voynov's contract on their cap?
- mayorofangrytown

No, I'm saying that if Voynov does his time, and isn't deported, the Kings are interesting in having him play for the team again. They aren't interested in Richards playing for them, and therefore, took a different course of action.

A lot of people missing the point that Kane is going to create a media circus around the team now. It doesn't matter if he should be allowed to play or not. The guy should do the right thing by stepping away from the team until this goes to court. I don't care if you're a superstar or a ECHL goon.

Then again Kane's past shows us that he doesn't make the best decisions. What a crappy situation the Hawks front office is being put in here.
- hereticpride

Hypothetically, if I'm Kane and I know I'm innocent, why should I not play? I wouldn't allow PR issues to stop me.

Akeson
- Mononoke

#Legend
#ArtRoss

No, I'm saying that if Voynov does his time, and isn't deported, the Kings are interesting in having him play for the team again. They aren't interested in Richards playing for them, and therefore, took a different course of action.
- MJL

That will be interesting for Kings fans if that happens.

That will be interesting for Kings fans if that happens.
- mayorofangrytown

I look at it this way, if he's not deported, and the NHL lifts his suspension, why should the Kings look to void his deal? As soon as they do that, he becomes a UFA and he's now on the open market and teams will line up to sign him. At the very least the Kings, if they have an issue, should bring him back and try to trade him. It's more about business rather than morality. I understand why they handled the Richards situation differently, but that doesn't make any of it right, morally, depending on your point of view, which I guess is subjective.

Hypothetically, if I'm Kane and I know I'm innocent, why should I not play? I wouldn't allow PR issues to stop me.
- MJL

Because it puts the team in a very awkward situation. He may be innocent but him showing up to camp means that the media presence will easily be doubled and its all anyone from the coaches to the players to the front office going to be asked about.

I don't remember the last time something like this has come up involving a star athlete in their prime. Kobe? I think even with him he was injured and off the court. The NHL doesn't get quite the national press the NBA does but I don't see any way the media doesn't take this and run.

I think it's simply about not wanting Richards anymore as a player, and still wanting Voynov.

For the record, if Voynov is not deported, I don't think the Kings should void his contract.
- MJL

I agree with all of this. Are we not seeing a common theme with the LA players? Jarrod Stoll also with issues but licky for him, wasn't under contract.

Just know that Jeff Carter's drug is anything he can dip his harpoon of love into. So if he's often tired but smiling big, he has a secret stash of women somewhere.

Hypothetically, if I'm Kane and I know I'm innocent, why should I not play? I wouldn't allow PR issues to stop me.
- MJL

Assault and any kind should be enough for the NHL to step in. Drugs that enhance a players abilities should be an NHL issue. Recreational drugs I feel is the team's call. I don't think any team should be off the hook from any deal for any reason, other than death.

Assault and any kind should be enough for the NHL to step in. Drugs that enhance a players abilities should be an NHL issue. Recreational drugs I feel is the team's call. I don't think any team should be off the hook from any deal for any reason, other than death.
- SuperSchennBros

I'm still in the boat that if a player and team both sign off on a player retiring from the league that the contract should come off the books.

Because it puts the team in a very awkward situation. He may be innocent but him showing up to camp means that the media presence will easily be doubled and its all anyone from the coaches to the players to the front office going to be asked about.

I don't remember the last time something like this has come up involving a star athlete in their prime. Kobe? I think even with him he was injured and off the court. The NHL doesn't get quite the national press the NBA does but I don't see any way the media doesn't take this and run.
- hereticpride

I don't think it puts the team in an awkward position. There is a CBA, and rules involved. If he hasn't been arrested, or charged with a crime, what right do they have to stop him from playing?

It's pretty simple, after they hold the press conference that they said Kane and his agent will have, there will be no further comment. If the reporters and beats want to press the issue with either Kane or his teammates, interview is over. I understand some of his teammates may not like that, but really they shouldn't impede on Kane's rights under the CBA because of that.

I'm still in the boat that if a player and team both sign off on a player retiring from the league that the contract should come off the books.
- hereticpride

That already exists.