Agent: Coyotes’ Bissonnette appealing automatic 10-game suspension

Paul Bissonnette is appealing his 10-game suspension for leaving the bench to start an altercation, his agent confirmed.

The NHL handed the Phoenix Coyotes enforcer an automatic suspension for leaving the bench on an illegal line change after Los Angeles Kings forward Jordan Nolan hit and injured defenceman Rostislav Klesla. Bissonnette was set to miss the Coyotes’ first 10 regular-season games and forfeit US$37,820.51 of his salary.

That still might happen, though agent Mark Guy said the NHL Players’ Association filed an appeal on his client’s behalf. In an email seeking comment, Guy did not reveal on what grounds the NHLPA was seeking to appeal the punishment.

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the appeal goes to commissioner Gary Bettman and then to an independent arbitrator.

The Arizona Republic was the first to report Bissonnette was appealing his suspension.