NHLPA Files Appeal on Behalf of Jason Spezza Over 6-Game Suspension

After news came down that Jason Spezza was being suspended for six games for kneeing Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets, the immediate reaction from the Toronto Maple Leafs was anger and frustration over the decision. It was speculated almost as quickly that the team and the player would file for an appeal. That appeal process began on Wednesday.

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Toronto’s Jason Spezza has been suspended for six games for Kneeing Winnipeg’s Neal Pionk. https://t.co/DDlM0Tdzw3

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 8, 2021

The National Hockey League Players Association has filed an appeal on behalf of Jason Spezza and is challenging the six games he’ll have to sit. A player with no history of dirty play was said to have targeted Pionk in a retaliatory manner and believes the punishment is too harsh, especially after the game was allowed to get so out of hand by the officials.

The appeal likely isn’t about money as Spezza will forfeit $21,000 in pay while serving the ban. He’s on a league-minimum contract. However, this is the first suspension of his 15-year career. He’s played more than 1,200 games and not been suspended before.

As per how the appeal process works, it will go to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman first. If he decides not to change the ruling (it’s unlikely he will do so), the appeal then moves to an independent and neutral arbitrator.

Part of the argument the Maple Leafs will likely try and make is that there is no consistency with the rulings coming out of the NHL DoPS. Considering Carolina’s Ian Cole was only fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for kneeing Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele, there are many calling the Spezza suspension harsh.

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