Kings fined by NHL for violating terms of Slava Voynov’s suspension

The Kings were fined $100,000 by the NHL on Tuesday for having violated the terms of defenseman Slava Voynov’s suspension.

The fine was handed down after Voynov took part in the morning skate at the Kings’ training complex in El Segundo and was in the team’s dressing room afterward. Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi said he spoke to NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly after Voynov skated, and tried to offer an explanation, but the league assessed the fine within hours of the incident.

Lombardi said in an interview earlier that Voynov had gotten on the ice earlier than scheduled and that it was an optional practice. However, the morning skate included all of the Kings.

The NHL’s news release on the matter said: “Voynov skated with teammates today during a Club practice. Such activity is in direct contravention of the terms of the suspension levied Oct. 20, which permit Mr. Voynov to use club facilities and work with team personnel but prohibit his participation in any team-related functions or activities.”

Later, the Kings released a statement: “This was clearly a mistake on our part and we accept full responsiblity. It is incumbent upon us to be more vigilant in managing this situation to ensure that Slava’s allowable training activities always remain separarte from the team.”

On Monday, Voynov pleaded not guilty to a felony domestic violence charge during an arraignment hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Torrance. The felony charge is in connection with an alleged incident in October involving Voynov’s wife, Marta Varlamova, at their Redondo Beach home.

Voynov is under indefinite suspension by the league and has continued to be paid.