Here is something from the GM of Russia's national team that is not a fact. From R Sport (via Puck Daddy):

“Semyon’s in good form now, continuing to show that he’s one of the best goaltenders in the NHL and showing with his game that the truth is on his side,” Russian national team general manager Alexei Kasatonov said on the website of the SKA St. Petersburg KHL team.

In another apparent reference to the domestic abuse charge, Kasatonov said that Varlamov “is not that kind of guy and would not be capable of such a dirty deed.”

Whether Varlamov is guilty or not — his ex-girlfriend says he dragged and pushed her, and detectives noted bruises on her — that is a crazy, gross, depressing claim for Kasatonov to make. Maybe the shape of Varlamov's skull means that he's innocent, or his zodiac sign. Maybe the verdict came to Kasatonov in a dream. Or, maybe Russia, the host of the 2014 Olympics, has a lot at stake in the trial, and a vested interest in favorable outcomes for, potentially, its starting goaltender.

Yep, we'll go with that. Varlamov is due in court on Dec. 2 on third-degree assault charges. A kidnapping charge was dropped because it could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, district attorney spokesperson Lynn Kimbrough said.

"I thought it was positive for (Varlamov), but in the end I'm not a lawyer and I'm not a DA," Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said earlier this week. "I think he needs to remain focused and we'll see what transpires. The most important thing was the support he got from our fans."

Regardless, Varlamov could face two years in prison on the assault charge — and deportation. From lawyer Eric Macramella at CBS' Eye On Hockey :

Under a federal US law called the Immigration and Nationality Act, a noncitizen can be ordered deported if he or she is convicted of a crime that is listed as a “crime involving moral turpitude.” One such crime is domestic violence. So a conviction on third degree assault could trigger deportation.

So given this risk, Varlamov’s lawyer may pursue a plea bargain involving charges that pose less of an issue given his immigration status such as disorderly conduct or trespassing. These would be ideal as they would not trigger deportation since they are not considered crimes involving moral turpitude.

If they can’t plea a lesser charge, expect Varlamov to head to trial and take his chances with a jury.

Ah yes, a jury. Hopefully "Defense Exhibit A: sweet glove save," doesn't come up.


MEANING OF NHL'S TV DEAL


For Canadians, people who cover the NHL and media nerds, the NHL's new 12-year, $5.2 billion TV deal with Rogers Sportsnet is a big deal. That, largely, is because Rogers is not TSN, and TSN has, for many, been the face of hockey coverage for the last two decades or so. It's best-in-class, generally speaking — game coverage, event coverage, access. All top notch, and it'll be missed.

But then, not everyone is Canadian, or a media nerd, or covers the NHL. What does the NHL's new TV deal mean for hockey fans in the United States? Here's the important stuff:

1) More money for your team. This is a big one. Rogers is paying the league an immense sum of money each year (starting with $150 million down and a $350 million annual fee), and that money is divided between the 30 teams, with some coming off the top for the seven Canadian teams. Is it fair? Maybe, maybe not. But there's more cash — and a higher salary cap — on its way. James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail estimates the cap will rise about $3 million after next season based on the TV deal alone. Overall, as noted by Greg Wyshynski, the $5.2 billion Canadian and $2 billion American mean that the NHL's total rights deal is worth almost as much as the NBA's ($7.4 billion, ABC/ESPN and TNT).

2) NBC Sports can get better. Whether it's by adding depth or making wholesale swaps, the league's American rights-holder should make a run at, essentially, whomever they can get. As others have noted, play-by-play analyst Ray Ferraro, as a former NBC employee, would make a lot of sense. Why stop at him, though? Why not add a studio analyst or two? Why not add an information guy? Why not add entire shows? This is a pretty great opportunity for both the network and fans who watch it.

3) Your trade deadline and draft days will change. For the last several years, NHL Network and NBC Sports simulcast TSN's coverage of those events. That's over. Sportsnet, presumably, will get that as well — unless NBC tries to do something for themselves.

4) Other stuff will change, too. Power tends to follow money, and there's a whole lot of both shifting hands at the moment. New deals mean new relationships, which could mean different people people breaking news — or the same people on a different network. Most people in this business, whether they realize it or not, are chasing TSN. That could change, and that change will trickle down to fans.

5) The Don Cherry conundrum. For better or worse, Cherry is bigger than "Hockey Night In Canada." That iconic programming block itself is sticking around, but it'll pay Rogers a sublicensing fee — which means Rogers gets full editorial control. It's up to them to decide whether Cherry (and his suits, and all that other baggage) stick around, too. Just don't touch the montages.


CANES' WESTGARTH SUSPENDED 


Carolina Hurricanes forward Kevin Westgarth has been suspended for two games without pay by the NHL for a boarding hit.

The league's department of player safety announced Westgarth's suspension Tuesday.

Westgarth was suspended for his hit on Ottawa defenseman Mark Boroweicki at 7:55 of the first period of Sunday's game.

Boroweicki was injured and did not return. Westgarth received a 2-minute boarding penalty.

The league says Westgarth will forfeit $7,435.90 and the money will go to the players' emergency assistance fund.


COYOTES WAIVE KLESLA 


The Phoenix Coyotes have waived Rostislav Klesla, once considered one of their top defensemen.

If no team claims Klesla by Wednesday, he will be assigned to Portland of the AHL.

Klesla had been one of Phoenix's core defensemen after arriving in the desert in a 2011 trade with Columbus. He appeared in 65 games in the 2011-12 season, when the Coyotes reached the Western Conference finals for the first time, and played 38 games during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, scoring two goals with six assists.

Klesla missed the first three games this season with a concussion sustained during a preseason game, and his minutes gradually declined over the past few weeks as the Coyotes struggled defensively. He has one goal and two assists in 15 games this season.

Contributors: Sean Gentille, The Associated Press