What's Next for Semyon Varlamov?

It's been news for about a month or so, and today, more news came out about the alleged assault by Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov on his girlfriend.

The goalie has been charged with third-degree assault on Friday morning after his girlfriend accused him of kicking, stomping on, dragging, and threatening her in late October.

His 24-year-old girlfriend said the encounter happened on Oct. 28 at her home in the 1700 block neighborhood of Bassett Street. She had bruises consistent with the physical encounter, the police report indicated.

The couple has had a history of domestic disturbances, according to the girlfriend's attorney. He says this is the fourth or fifth time they have had run-ins with one another. They have been together for about four years since meeting in Russia and she works as a model in the U.S.

She said about the charges, "I want everyone to know, all the fans to know, that he's not the great Semyon Varlamov. Great people don't beat up their women. They don't belittle them...throw out like dogs. I want people to know this, that this man can be an animal."

This story does not change my opinion over Semyon Varlamov in any way. I knew he was a goon from the moment I heard about this and when I saw and read that she had bruise marks that were consistent with the injury, I knew that she had a case on this and that it wouldn't look good for Varlamov. Some people have been riding me saying that he should play despite the charges and all that. But this type of act really should be the reason he shouldn't be playing. This should be like what the NHL does for players who target the heads of other players in games, when they suspend them indefinitely pending a hearing over a head hit. They should suspend him indefinitely pending what happens in this case. From a hockey standpoint, I know this doesn't make the Avalanche look good and even though they're on a torrid pace right now, what will happen if Varlamov actually gets suspended or is given a leave of absence for long-term? In my opinion, Varlamov should be out until we get more on the case and what seems to be transpiring in this. I don't know what's going to happen in the next few days or so, whether he's going to play or not, but there's a strong belief, at least on my part, that he shouldn't be playing while this is going on.