Ryan Wilson: Slava Voynov is toxic and should be treated as such

Wow. Why have therapy treatment rehabilitation etc etc. guilty forever. No redemption allowed.

Maybe the guy is proud of what he did and would gladly do it again. I don’t know. Never met the guy.

If the NHL lets him back in and the Pens are interested I think they should at least explore the idea and see what it would cost them. I could be wrong here because I almost always am but it would solve the 3rd pairing right side no?

Without knowing more details to the case and what's happened in the aftermath, I just want to point out that you can be both against domestic violence and also believe in giving people a second chance.

From a hockey standpoint, he would definitely fit in with what we'd be looking for on defense (cheap 3rd pair RHD). There are so many really good character guys and leaders in the locker room, I don't think he'd be any sort of problem.

If he has shown signs of extreme and sincere regret, trying to better himself, etc... I wouldn't have any qualms trying to help a guy out, filll a hockey need, and keep him on a short leash.

Without knowing more details to the case and what's happened in the aftermath, I just want to point out that you can be both against domestic violence and also believe in giving people a second chance.

From a hockey standpoint, he would definitely fit in with what we'd be looking for on defense (cheap 3rd pair RHD). There are so many really good character guys and leaders in the locker room, I don't think he'd be any sort of problem.

If he has shown signs of extreme and sincere regret, trying to better himself, etc... I wouldn't have any qualms trying to help a guy out, filll a hockey need, and keep him on a short leash.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I agree 100%. If ownership GMJR and HCMS give him a chance then who am I to question that. I know we are a ways away from that happening but I just saying I wouldn't be upset if they did sign him after doing their homework on him.

agree with the above posters....dude did his time, move on. If a hockey deal makes sense, you do it.

He can want back into the NHL all that he wants, but I think the Pens should hard pass on that kind of negative press. Plus, I don't want some piece of poop that slaps around his wife. I don't care what the circumstance was/is. You don't do it. I'm not interested in his redemption on my favorite team. Go somewhere else.

He can want back into the NHL all that he wants, but I think the Pens should hard pass on that kind of negative press. Plus, I don't want some piece of poop that slaps around his wife. I don't care what the circumstance was/is. You don't do it. I'm not interested in his redemption on my favorite team. Go somewhere else.
- simethos

So you were ok with Casey Desmith coming up last year and doing a fine job filling in for Murray though right? I'm on this site everyday and I do not remember seeing one post talking about this. I'm not defending what he did because as humans we all know that was wrong but if the team feels he paid his dues then I think we as fans should back them up. That's all I'm saying...

So you were ok with Casey Desmith coming up last year and doing a fine job filling in for Murray though right? I'm on this site everyday and I do not remember seeing one post talking about this. I'm not defending what he did because as humans we all know that was wrong but if the team feels he paid his dues then I think we as fans should back them up. That's all I'm saying...
- Mino42

I had no knowledge of this until now. No, I'm not okay with that. Whether the team feels that he payed his debt or not. I do not agree. Same with all of the animals in the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc... that get caught beating their girlfriends or wives. I grew up knowing abuse firsthand. Guys like that will never be okay with me.

no matter who wants him.... his rights are still owned by the kings.... so even if he gets everything in order..and that's a big if....

Only god can judge.

It's not like he beat up women for living. I bet he doesn't feel proud about it and payed a huge price for this. Is he allowed to a second chance? Even people who killed someone have a second chance.

Kane raped a girl...didnt miss a shift...just saying.

Hopefully the Leafs sign him.

Go Leafs Go

Kane raped a girl...didnt miss a shift...just saying.
- taleisyreXIII

Yeah...except that he didn't.

Said this last night. In my opinion you cannot compare Desmith with Voynov - completely different circumstances.

In saying that I don't understand how DeSmith had his charges dropped pleading guilty?? I have no idea of what occurred that set DeSmith off, no excuses for hitting a female but I don't know the whole circumstances.

No from me for Voynov. Beating the poop out of your wife 'more than once' isn't acceptable in way shape or form. I realise she is still with him (or so they say), I understand he has paid a price, I do believe in giving people a second chance especially in sport as that is the persons livelihood, but I'd let another organisation sign him. If he does play again I won't criticise or chastise him, but I will be glad he isn't playing on the Pens.

Yes I am aware a team mate of Mario's was accused of rape back in the day & he was present.

Hey Gunner, no props for me with the link?

Yeah...except that he didn't.
- jmatchett383

Legally he didn't. Did the girl come out & say he didn't? It all went away quite quickly..........$$$$

Legally he didn't. Did the girl come out & say he didn't? It all went away quite quickly..........$$$$
- Aussiepenguin

It all went away when it came out that the girl's mom was tampering with evidence and falsifying reports.

No hush money was paid and charges were quickly dropped.

It all went away when it came out that the girl's mom was tampering with evidence and falsifying reports.

No hush money was paid and charges were quickly dropped.
- jmatchett383

Yes i read about the bag or whatever it was the mother had. Sounds like the quickest way to derail a process, interfere. How do you know there's no money being paid - hence the term 'hush' money?

I think it's a logical progression from charges to no charges is money was paid & the mother told to do what she did.

Said this last night. In my opinion you cannot compare Desmith with Voynov - completely different circumstances.

In saying that I don't understand how DeSmith had his charges dropped pleading guilty?? I have no idea of what occurred that set DeSmith off, no excuses for hitting a female but I don't know the whole circumstances.

No from me for Voynov. Beating the poop out of your wife 'more than once' isn't acceptable in way shape or form. I realise she is still with him (or so they say), I understand he has paid a price, I do believe in giving people a second chance especially in sport as that is the persons livelihood, but I'd let another organisation sign him. If he does play again I won't criticise or chastise him, but I will be glad he isn't playing on the Pens.

Yes I am aware a team mate of Mario's was accused of rape back in the day & he was present.

Hey Gunner, no props for me with the link?
- Aussiepenguin

To me the situations are very close for a league to compare. Throwing an ex to the ground getting on top and punching her 8-10 times and spitting in her face leaving her with at least a black eye is brutal. Once or a million times doesnt matter either. When you are caught is when it matters. Why I say its VERY comparable is.. clearly the act is horrendous in both physical natures. You cant say as a league or fan in my opinion "ok this player only hit her with 4 right hooks and 2 uppercuts which is better then 1 straight right and a 6 kicks to the body..." Like is the league gonna come out and say domestic abuse gets 2 years for 10 hits or under but if you kick them or its rumored you did it more then once you are gone for life???

Anyways my point yesterday is both were terrible actions by players and good luck to the league and fans if they wanna start judging how bad a incident is with how many punches or kicks or knees or if they spit in there face and that determines if they are allowed back or not.

Desmith would have had his charges stayed and served 90 days in jail if he didnt follow the rules set out by his judge. If he didnt accept guilt and got proven guilty he would have been in jail for 90 days and had a criminal record. I think he was on probation for a year and had to do counselling, and not drink for 18 months or something and had 40 or so hours of community service. If any of those werent met or he got caught being drunk in that year he would have been arrested and served 90 days in jail and had a criminal record to this day. Just how the courts work. Usually called "plea" deals.

To me the situations are very close for a league to compare. Throwing an ex to the ground getting on top and punching her 8-10 times and spitting in her face leaving her with at least a black eye is brutal. Once or a million times doesnt matter either. When you are caught is when it matters. Why I say its VERY comparable is.. clearly the act is horrendous in both physical natures. You cant say as a league or fan in my opinion "ok this player only hit her with 4 right hooks and 2 uppercuts which is better then 1 straight right and a 6 kicks to the body..." Like is the league gonna come out and say domestic abuse gets 2 years for 10 hits or under but if you kick them or its rumored you did it more then once you are gone for life???

Anyways my point yesterday is both were terrible actions by players and good luck to the league and fans if they wanna start judging how bad a incident is with how many punches or kicks or knees or if they spit in there face and that determines if they are allowed back or not.

Desmith would have had his charges stayed and served 90 days in jail if he didnt follow the rules set out by his judge. If he didnt accept guilt and got proven guilty he would have been in jail for 90 days and had a criminal record. I think he was on probation for a year and had to do counselling, and not drink for 18 months or something and had 40 or so hours of community service. If any of those werent met or he got caught being drunk in that year he would have been arrested and served 90 days in jail and had a criminal record to this day. Just how the courts work. Usually called "plea" deals.
- pens4life-66

Agree to disagree. I see a huge difference in what happened.

I'll ask you this.

Sexual assault is many things. Do you think pinching a female on the bum by a male & forcing a girl onto the ground & raping her should be seen as the same thing by the league?

I don't but both can be considered sexual assault.

I didn't find any article that broke down what DeSmith did & the circumstances surrounding it, but Voynovs case is quite detailed in many articles - difference between a uni student & a hockey pro I suppose. In your opinion its very comparable, but to me there is a gross difference. Voynov is also a repeat offender according to his wife, I wonder what's happened in Russia from then till now? DeSmith has kept his nose clean unless there's some press around to the contraire. I'm not defending DeSmiths actions as I say, but I don't know the whole story or as much as we know about Voynov.

Yes i read about the bag or whatever it was the mother had. Sounds like the quickest way to derail a process, interfere. How do you know there's no money being paid - hence the term 'hush' money?

I think it's a logical progression from charges to no charges is money was paid & the mother told to do what she did.
- Aussiepenguin

I'm not gonna say he did or didn't take advantage of her, because I don't know for sure.

But when someone starts tampering with evidence and falsifying reports, not to mention personal reports conflicting with earlier ones, it seems like someone is trying to pull a fast one.

I think the logical thing is that the mother and daughter got caught tampering with evidence and decided to stop paying lawyer fees for a case that they were going to lose due to their shenanigans.

I'm not gonna say he did or didn't take advantage of her, because I don't know for sure.

But when someone starts tampering with evidence and falsifying reports, not to mention personal reports conflicting with earlier ones, it seems like someone is trying to pull a fast one.

I think the logical thing is that the mother and daughter got caught tampering with evidence and decided to stop paying lawyer fees for a case that they were going to lose due to their shenanigans.
- jmatchett383

I thought Kane said he would seek damages? Seemed to go away very quickly.

If he really could improve the defense and the team in any way you think the Penguins wouldn't give a second look at adding a piece at the right price that could potentially put the Stanley Cup back in their hands? Sorry to break it to you but the NHL is not based on considering every players wrongs that they have committed in their lives **SPOILERS ** Its about raising the Stanley Cup, the Ultimate Prize.

Agree to disagree. I see a huge difference in what happened.

I'll ask you this.

Sexual assault is many things. Do you think pinching a female on the bum by a male & forcing a girl onto the ground & raping her should be seen as the same thing by the league?

I don't but both can be considered sexual assault.

I didn't find any article that broke down what DeSmith did & the circumstances surrounding it, but Voynovs case is quite detailed in many articles - difference between a uni student & a hockey pro I suppose. In your opinion its very comparable, but to me there is a gross difference. Voynov is also a repeat offender according to his wife, I wonder what's happened in Russia from then till now? DeSmith has kept his nose clean unless there's some press around to the contraire. I'm not defending DeSmiths actions as I say, but I don't know the whole story or as much as we know about Voynov.
- Aussiepenguin

Comparing apples to oranges... sexual assault and rape are 2 different charges. Very greatly in consequences as well.

I know I posted about it a long time ago when desmith got signed by the pens though and there was a report that he admitted to punching her 8-10 times when she was on the ground then spit on her. Not sure if it got taken down after his charges were dropped or not for legal purposes. But when desmith did it he was a “nobody” so nothing got reported to main media but when voynov did it he was a millionaire nhl player playing for a huge media market none the less.

And as for being a repeat offender like I said it only matters when you get caught and proven in court. His wife saying it doesn’t mean anything. Should the NHL have kicked Kane out for years because that girl said he raped her? Not in my books anyways.

My point again is how can a league say 10 punches is a 1 year ban but 6 kicks is a lifetime ban??? Injuries seemed to be about the same so both were physical in nature causing bodily harm to the victim. I think the courts even found Desmiths case worse as he would have got 90 days and voynov only got 60 days in jail. Difference being desmith is an American so they couldn’t deport him and voynov is a Russia so they could deport him.

The Fosters article describes all the standard punishments of anybody who gets an underage or disorderly in college (probation, community service, alcohol counseling), and tries to make it look like he made a plea deal to get out of an assault conviction.

But, it never actually says he was charged with assault in the first place. Just 2 disorderly charges and resisting arrest. Desmith pleaded not guilty on all charges except the 1 disorderly.

They found that his ex made up what happened, changed her story multiple times and showed no signs of physical abuse. His family considered a lawsuit against the publication because of how much it misrepresented in the case. The USCHO cherry picks quotes to make it look like he just shrugged it off.

http://www.concordmonitor...14/12/DeSmith-cmsp-121314