Mark Bell to be suspended?

Today it is being reported that Mark Bell has been suspended by the NHL, and that a formal announcement to that effect will come later today.

The suspension is being reported as stemming from his DUI last year, for which he will (apparently) spend time in jail. Being that the story involves a hockey player that plays for the Leafs - a team that plays in the same city that the majority of news outlets in the country also reside - it is being sensationalized.

After looking into the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), it seems that this suspension is quite normal for a player that has been convicted of such an off-ice crime. That is; the league hasn't chosen to suspend Mark Bell because his actions were especially egregious - or because he has relapsed - rather the league by-laws mandate an investigation into a suspension.

His reinstatement to the league depends on approval by the NHL and the NHLPA. Considering that Bell has cleaned his act up significantly since the accident - including being 100% sober - it says here that Bell will be reinstated before the start of the regular season. Bell's plea bargain automatically enrolled him in Stage 2 of the NHL's Substance Abuse and Behavioural Health program - through which such a suspension is automatic. Contrary to the alarming language being used at news outlets across the country, he shouldn't miss anything of significance. I predict he'll be in the Leafs' opening night roster. Bones it.