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Nashville Predators: Four burning questions for the 2018-19 season

By Corey Francis

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 3: Nashville Predators players stream onto the ice to celebrate a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 3, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The series is tied 2-2. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 3: Nashville Predators players stream onto the ice to celebrate a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 3, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The series is tied 2-2. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – APRIL 22: Austin Watson #51 of the Nashville Predators celebrates scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 22: Austin Watson #51 of the Nashville Predators celebrates scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Will Watson play?

It is the most shocking news for the Nashville Predators this offseason. Austin Watson, a fan favorite, was arrested for domestic assault in Franklin, TN, on June 16. An affidavit stated Watson and his girlfriend participated in an altercation leading to the Predators’ forward pushing her. The report also says the argument was regarding his girlfriend’s drinking and not being able to attend a wedding.

Watson was released on bond and faces up to 11 months and 29 days in prison if convicted. Williamson County District Attorney Kim Helper recused herself from the case due to her marriage to Predators’ Senior Vice President Gerry Helper. Watson is due back in court on July 24.

The issue for the team centers around Watson’s availability to play. Last offseason, Watson signed a 3-year contract. The NHL has no policy on domestic violence. Final rulings on cases come from Commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly. In 2014, the NHL suspended Los Angeles Kings defensemen Slava Voynov from all activities indefinitely. Voynov allegedly choked, kicked, and pushed his wife while attending a Halloween party.

Before we have any answers, the legal proceedings must finish. The league stated it will monitor the situation before determining how to handle it.

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