Jarret Stoll was a free man on Saturday, hours after his arrest on drug charges in Las Vegas. His future as an NHL player hangs in the balance.
Funny thing: Stoll is big news in sports not only because of his arrest, but because of his girlfriend — one Erin Andrews, TV personality and social media starlet.
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Lost in the Erin Pageviews aspect of Stoll's arrest is this: As a player, he likely will not be rejoining the Los Angeles Kings next season. Not only is Stoll, 32, a pending unrestricted free agent, but 2014-15's season filled with turmoil all but guarantees big changes coming to a team that couldn't defend its Stanley Cup championship.
Jarret Stoll’s arrest is going to get, oh, let’s see, a billion times more attention than it otherwise would because pic.twitter.com/eRH8wq0sQV
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) April 18, 2015What the Kings don't need is more off-ice bad news. They spent the season dealing with fallout from defenseman Slava Voynov's October arrest on felony domestic violence charges. Voynov was suspended the season's final 76 games.
Kings brass already is pondering the future of coach Darryl Sutter, who prodded the team to two Stanley Cups in three years but appears to have worn out his welcome with his players.
Now Stoll gets busted on allegations of cocaine and Ecstasy possession, a felony drug charge.
Stoll paid $5,000 bond on Friday night. He faces a court date in Vegas this summer.
"We're looking forward to assisting a fine athlete and gentleman," Stoll attorney David Chesnoff told The Associated Press. "We plan to investigate the allegations fully. We'll be able to comment more at a later date."
Per @AP Jarret Stoll is being represented by David Chesnoff. Prior clients include Britney Spears, Mike Tylson, Martha Stewart
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) April 18, 2015The Kings offered this in a release:
“We are aware of police reports out of Clark County, Nevada regarding Jarret Stoll. Our organization is concerned and has begun conducting a thorough internal investigation. While we continue to actively gather facts, we are withholding further comment at this time.”
This, from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly to the Los Angeles Times:
“We are aware of the reports tonight and we obviously will follow up to understand the nature of the allegations that are being made. We are not in a position at this time to comment further until we have more information.”
Stoll's return already was questionable because of the Kings' salary cap situation. As a third-line center coming off a spotty season, Stoll could be replaced by younger and cheaper players rising through the ranks.
Now, even if the Kings don't want him, there are questions for teams that might be interested in an aging two-way forward. Even Erin Andrews won't be able to get those answers.