NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Join the discussion about the Blues.

[Complete Blues coverage on STLtoday.com]

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Blues Talk Moderators

Harry S Deals
Forum User
Posts: 1718
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:25 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by Harry S Deals »

BalotelliMassive wrote: 12 Sep 2025 07:25 am
Backesdraft wrote: 12 Sep 2025 06:47 am
BalotelliMassive wrote: 11 Sep 2025 15:27 pm When will this league stop making terrible decisions?

This is a joke!
Asking honestly, what is it that has you upset about this decision? Is it that they’re being allowed back at all? I’m genuinely asking.
These people are innocent - why is there a time period for them to be reinstated?
Define "innocent" in this case. It was clearly an ugly incident the NHL seems that additional discipline is required I'm ok with that
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 4520
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by theograce »

Blues Dave wrote: 13 Sep 2025 15:24 pm This situation exsists because of something that,

"An investigation by London Police Service was launched that week and closed in February 2019, with the supervising detective concluding that there was insufficient evidence to lay charges."

So in my opinion, there is no situation. If anything, I could see a lawsuit initiated by these players for at the very least, hampering their chances of an oportunity to become NHL players and all that encompasis, including monitary, which can increase sugnifantly with their possible ability and popularity. Now the exact oppisit is mre likely probabile. Can they catch up to where they may have been in their carreers? Why should they even have to? Just my opinion, but I do feel strongly about this one.
The players didn’t appeal.
Harry S Deals
Forum User
Posts: 1718
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:25 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by Harry S Deals »

"They added that text messages between the players allegedly showed it was Mr McLeod's idea to invite his teammates to the room and that the players allegedly engaged in "getting their story straight" by drafting a narrative that EM had consented to all sexual activity.

Justice Carroccia dismissed that argument, saying the players were "recounting their recollections" of what unfolded."

She wanted to be gangbanged lol
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 4520
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by theograce »

Harry S Deals wrote: 13 Sep 2025 17:25 pm
BalotelliMassive wrote: 12 Sep 2025 07:25 am
Backesdraft wrote: 12 Sep 2025 06:47 am
BalotelliMassive wrote: 11 Sep 2025 15:27 pm When will this league stop making terrible decisions?

This is a joke!
Asking honestly, what is it that has you upset about this decision? Is it that they’re being allowed back at all? I’m genuinely asking.
These people are innocent - why is there a time period for them to be reinstated?
Define "innocent" in this case. It was clearly an ugly incident the NHL seems that additional discipline is required I'm ok with that
How ugly? Would everyone agree? You agree with not knowing and based on assumption.

That’s the danger in it
Harry S Deals
Forum User
Posts: 1718
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:25 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by Harry S Deals »

Acquitted and innocent are not the same concepts
TAFKAP
Forum User
Posts: 2157
Joined: 10 May 2018 17:44 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by TAFKAP »

Hooking wrote: 13 Sep 2025 17:13 pm Trevor.
Bauer.




Doesn't matter if you are actually innocent. It's all about optics and what people on social media think.
Didn't he he get dropped by the Japanese League a couple months ago? What happened to Mexico?

It's surprising considering he's only 36 and has an almost Stan Musialesqe reputation for clubhouse behavior, a regular "team first guy". The Dodgers couldn't wait to resign him I thought.
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 4520
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by theograce »

Harry S Deals wrote: 13 Sep 2025 17:33 pm Acquitted and innocent are not the same concepts
Yet you’re passing moral guilt and supporting punishment
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 4520
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by theograce »

Harry S Deals wrote: 13 Sep 2025 17:33 pm Acquitted and innocent are not the same concepts
Signed ROR who committed many criminal acts.
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 4520
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by theograce »

Did the NHL suspend Kappy? Did the Blues?
BalotelliMassive
Forum User
Posts: 882
Joined: 24 May 2024 10:31 am

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by BalotelliMassive »

Harry S Deals wrote: 13 Sep 2025 17:25 pm
BalotelliMassive wrote: 12 Sep 2025 07:25 am
Backesdraft wrote: 12 Sep 2025 06:47 am
BalotelliMassive wrote: 11 Sep 2025 15:27 pm When will this league stop making terrible decisions?

This is a joke!
Asking honestly, what is it that has you upset about this decision? Is it that they’re being allowed back at all? I’m genuinely asking.
These people are innocent - why is there a time period for them to be reinstated?
Define "innocent" in this case. It was clearly an ugly incident the NHL seems that additional discipline is required I'm ok with that
They were charged with a crime - they were not found guilty of committing said crime.

Anything else you need me to clear up?
skilles
Forum User
Posts: 1409
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:28 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by skilles »

I can't imagine NHL contracts have any clauses about what kind of legal sex they are allowed to have in private.
Army's Mom
Forum User
Posts: 533
Joined: 21 Aug 2024 10:23 am

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by Army's Mom »

STL fan in MN wrote: 12 Sep 2025 07:36 am
Backesdraft wrote: 12 Sep 2025 07:27 am
BalotelliMassive wrote: 12 Sep 2025 07:25 am
Backesdraft wrote: 12 Sep 2025 06:47 am
BalotelliMassive wrote: 11 Sep 2025 15:27 pm When will this league stop making terrible decisions?

This is a joke!
Asking honestly, what is it that has you upset about this decision? Is it that they’re being allowed back at all? I’m genuinely asking.
These people are innocent - why is there a time period for them to be reinstated?
Thanks for responding. I tend to agree with that take myself. It seems odd to say “hey you can come back…but not for another 4 months.” I’m not sure I get the reasoning.
While deemed not guilty of a crime, NHL contracts contain morality clauses. I bet the NHL found they all definitely violated those. Idk for sure but that’d be the obvious assumption here.
If so, it'd seem like there are better outcomes. Suspend them a season, make them restricted free agents, subject them to waivers, I dunno. Any of that theoretically could be negotiated with the PA, and would strike a better balance (assuming the NHL found it necessary to punish at all).

Honestly, I dont think they wven bothered to determine if a punishment was needed. They knew some people would be upset with no punishment, knew others would be upset with any punishment, and just drew an arbitrary number out of a hat.

::crazya::
Army's Mom
Forum User
Posts: 533
Joined: 21 Aug 2024 10:23 am

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by Army's Mom »

BalotelliMassive wrote: 13 Sep 2025 19:12 pm
Harry S Deals wrote: 13 Sep 2025 17:25 pm
BalotelliMassive wrote: 12 Sep 2025 07:25 am
Backesdraft wrote: 12 Sep 2025 06:47 am
BalotelliMassive wrote: 11 Sep 2025 15:27 pm When will this league stop making terrible decisions?

This is a joke!
Asking honestly, what is it that has you upset about this decision? Is it that they’re being allowed back at all? I’m genuinely asking.
These people are innocent - why is there a time period for them to be reinstated?
Define "innocent" in this case. It was clearly an ugly incident the NHL seems that additional discipline is required I'm ok with that
They were charged with a crime - they were not found guilty of committing said crime.

Anything else you need me to clear up?
The judge failed to find guilt. Thats not the same thing as the judge found them not guilty. Our system of law doesnt find anyone not guilty. That distinction matters.

As for morality clauses, they often include cooperating with investigations. These guys almost certainly colluded to obstruct the investigation - maybe not enough to prove a criminal conspiracy, but likely enough to trigger a morals clause.

The NHL shouldn't be disciplining these guys in this case (and, certainly, what's 4 months going to do?), but that doesn't mean these guys are fine, upstanding young men.
Blues Dave
Forum User
Posts: 364
Joined: 27 May 2024 14:31 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by Blues Dave »

I have no problem with anyones opinion of the NHL's actions. The reasons the NHL chose to do what they did are not made clear enough for me to personally agree with them. I'm not going to be affected, except for my feelings about what these players have been subjected to. It's not time in jail, but it's pretty harsh concidering what it takes to get to the NHL. I also don't underestimate anything about the young lady who most likely didn't expect or want anyone judging her. It feels more like she's being dragged along with not many on either side of the coin considering what life is like for her. I hope the best for her.
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 4520
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by theograce »

Blues Dave wrote: 14 Sep 2025 14:44 pm I also don't underestimate anything about the young lady who most likely didn't expect or want anyone judging her. It feels more like she's being dragged along with not many on either side of the coin considering what life is like for her. I hope the best for her.
ROR dragged a woman through the mud too after committing multiple crimes. It really hurt her.

Just saying
DawgDad
Forum User
Posts: 7126
Joined: 16 May 2019 10:58 am

Re: NHL suspends players acquitted in 2018 sexual assault trial until Dec. 1

Post by DawgDad »

Army's Mom wrote: 14 Sep 2025 14:34 pm
BalotelliMassive wrote: 13 Sep 2025 19:12 pm
Harry S Deals wrote: 13 Sep 2025 17:25 pm
BalotelliMassive wrote: 12 Sep 2025 07:25 am
Backesdraft wrote: 12 Sep 2025 06:47 am
BalotelliMassive wrote: 11 Sep 2025 15:27 pm When will this league stop making terrible decisions?

This is a joke!
Asking honestly, what is it that has you upset about this decision? Is it that they’re being allowed back at all? I’m genuinely asking.
These people are innocent - why is there a time period for them to be reinstated?
Define "innocent" in this case. It was clearly an ugly incident the NHL seems that additional discipline is required I'm ok with that
They were charged with a crime - they were not found guilty of committing said crime.

Anything else you need me to clear up?
The judge failed to find guilt. Thats not the same thing as the judge found them not guilty. Our system of law doesnt find anyone not guilty. That distinction matters.

As for morality clauses, they often include cooperating with investigations. These guys almost certainly colluded to obstruct the investigation - maybe not enough to prove a criminal conspiracy, but likely enough to trigger a morals clause.

The NHL shouldn't be disciplining these guys in this case (and, certainly, what's 4 months going to do?), but that doesn't mean these guys are fine, upstanding young men.
Our system of criminal justice embodies a "presumption of innocence". Innocence does not need to be proven BECAUSE it is presumed, the burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove guilt. So, the issue of definitive innocence is not a matter for the Courts unless the defense uses proof of innocence to establish/prove "not guilty".

In this context the league does have standing to conduct an investigation and determine if there were violations of rules, standards of behavior, or contract terms, and to impose discipline within their established processes in compliance with contracts.

I am not a fan of denying a person a right to work but I do recognize there are situations where this may be warranted. Kadri always comes to mind.
Post Reply