Source: Maple Leafs Clarkson considering appeal of suspension
Posted September 24, 2013 1:48 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
David Clarkson still hasn’t spoken publicly since jumping off the Toronto Maple Leafs bench to join a line brawl on Sunday night and it’s no coincidence as to why – the veteran winger is considering launching an appeal to his 10-game suspension.
It’s unclear on what grounds Clarkson would appeal an automatic ban that is spelled out pretty clearly in the NHL rulebook, but a source confirmed to sportsnet.ca that he is currently weighing that option.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, an NHL spokesman said the league had not officially received word of Clarkson’s appeal.
Under league rules, Clarkson has until Wednesday night to launch an official appeal that would be heard by Gary Bettman. If the NHL commissioner were to refuse to overturn the decision, he could then take the case to a neutral arbitrator.
That wrinkle was added to the new collective bargaining agreement that was signed in January. A case has never gone before an arbitrator before.
Video clearly showed that Clarkson came off Toronto’s bench when Sabres enforcer John Scott dropped his gloves and attempted to engage Leafs star Phil Kessel on Sunday night. He was given a 10-minute misconduct for leaving the bench.
The 10-game suspension will cost him $269,230.80 in salary and keep Clarkson from making his Leafs regular-season debut until Oct. 25 in Columbus.
Clarkson was expected to suit up in Toronto’s pre-season game against Ottawa on Tuesday night. In fact, Leafs coach Randy Carlyle hinted that he’ll play in all three remaining exhibition games before his suspension officially comes into effect.
