Unfortunately for the Phoenix Coyotes, the National Hockey League's shortened season will reportedly have no effect on Raffi Torres' suspension.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Coyotes spoke to league about possibly cutting into the remaining eight games on the suspension that Torres received during the playoffs for his hit on Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa.
After the hit, Torres was assessed a 25-game-suspension, which was later reduced by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to 21 games.
"The terms of the Torres suspension remain the same, as modified by the Commissioner's decision last summer," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Tribune in an email. "Neither the lockout nor the transition rules (in the new collective bargaining agreement) impacted the terms of the Torres suspension."
Torres will be able to return to the Coyotes' lineup on February 2.
