Matt Cullen summed up how most hockey fans probably feel about Tom Wilson's suspension being reduced

BarDown Staff

Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images

Suspensions are always a topic of discussion in any sport and the length of the suspension definitely determines how heated that discussion gets. Tom Wilson's 20-game suspension, for example, had the hockey world talking in a good way because fans finally felt the NHL got it right.

Unfortunately, fans were ultimately left disappointed because on Tuesday, Wilson's suspension was reduced to 14 games by an independent arbitrator.

Independent arbitrator has reduced #caps Tom Wilson's suspension from 20 games to 14. Wilson gets back $378,048 in lost salary. Eligible to play immediately, but effectively a 16-game suspension because the process took so long from Sept. 30 (!) hit.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 13, 2018

Wilson's initial appeal of his suspension was denied, but he was able to appeal again and after the latest ruling, he's now back for the Washington Capitals.

There were a lot of reactions to the suspension being reduced, but Matt Cullen of the Penguins summed it up best by saying this when asked about the ruling:

Matt Cullen said it's a "bad look" for the league when a player can appeal multiple times and eventually have a suspension reduced, as Wilson has.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) November 13, 2018

Gary Bettman upheld Wilson's suspension, but because he was able to appeal again, it was reduced. That process is what Cullen is talking about when he says it's a bad look for the league.

At the end of the day Wilson is back, but based on his history, we could be having discussions similar to this in the near future.

(H/T: /r/hockey)