Breaking: Disgraced defenseman Slava Voynov is on his way back to the NHL

According to a report from Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period and confirmed by Chris Johnston of Sportsnet and Frank Seravalli of TSN, disgraced former NHLer Slava Voynov has formally applied for reinstatement to the league.

Check out this quote that Bernstein obtained from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly:

BREAKING - Slava Voynov has applied for NHL reinstatement per Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly

"We’re in process of an intense factual investigation. I’m not in a position to give timeline. When investigation is done, Commissioner will deal with his application for reinstatement."

Man… if this guy catches on with an NHL club… the team better get ready for a tidal wave of criticism. 

For those unaware, Voynov was arrested in 2014 on domestic violence charges. It was alleged that Voynov caused “great bodily harm” to his wife Marta Varlamova in a domestic argument. Voynov was suspended indefinitely by the NHL and he eventually had his contract terminated by the Los Angeles Kings. 

Officers testified that Varlamova told police Voynov punched, kicked, and choked her, and that her face was cut after Voynov pushed her into a flat-screen television. The officer also testified to seeing a laceration above Varlamova's left eye, blood streaming, and red marks on her neck. Voynov's attorney claimed that police misunderstood Varlamova because she doesn't speak English and maintained she "fell down."

In 2015, Voynov pleaded no contest to the charges and served 90 days in Seal Beach Police Detention Center in California. Upon his release he returned to Russia, signing a deal with the KHL powerhouse SKA Saint Petersburg. After three seasons and two championships in Russian, including a gold medal win at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Voynov is now seeking a return to the NHL.