Jury finds Hawks coach not guilty of DUI
It took an Atlanta jury less than three hours Monday to find Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer not guilty of driving under the influence.
Budenholzer was cleared on a DUI-driving less safe charge but the jury did find him guilty of driving with a broken tail light and he was fined $150.
Budenholzer testified in his own defense about when troopers stopped him in August of 2013 for allegedly driving with his lights off. He subsequently was arrested him on suspicion of DUI.
Budenholzer has said he thinks the trooper may have been confused about him being impaired because he has chronic redness around his eyes, previous ankle injuries and a foot surgery that causes imbalance.
Jaguars linebacker charged with battery
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dan Skuta was arrested and charged with first-degree misdemeanor battery for an incident in Orlando on June 19.
The Orlando Police Department told actionnewsjax.com that Skuta was accused of pushing a woman’s face “with an open hand and into a glass window” after she refused to give him her phone number around 2:30 a.m. Police had Skuta sit on a sidewalk and said that he had alcohol on his breath and bloodshot eyes.
Skuta paid a $500 bond and has a July 20 court appearance. He is seeking a jury trial, according to multiple reports citing the Orange County Clerk’s website.
“The Jaguars are aware of the situation involving linebacker Dan Skuta and are currently gathering more information,” the team said in a statement. “The team has been in constant communication with Dan through this process in its entirety. No further comment can be made at this time.”
Predators sign Forsberg for $36M
The Nashville Predators signed forward Filip Forsberg to a six-year, $36 million contract.
Forsberg will make $6 million each season from 2016-17 to 2021-22. He was scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1.
“Filip is among the most skilled, dynamic talents we’ve ever had in the organization and is an integral part of our success for the next six years and beyond,” Predators president of hockey operations/general manager David Poile said in a statement.
Bruins tender qualifying offers to Krug, five others
The Boston Bruins tendered qualifying offers to defenseman Torey Krug and five other players on Monday.
Krug joined fellow blue-liners Colin Miller, Joe Morrow and minor-leaguer Chris Casto in addition to forwards Brian Ferlin and Alexander Khokhlachev in receiving qualifying offers.
A trio of impending restricted free agents who were not qualified were forwards Brett Connolly and Landon Ferraro as well as minor-leaguer Ben Sexton. The 24-year-old Connolly collected nine goals and 16 assists in 71 games last season while Ferraro, also 24, competed primarily on the fourth line and scored five goals and set up as many in 68 games with the Bruins and Detroit Red Wings.
Krug, 25, recorded four goals, 40 assists and 33 penalty minutes in a career-best 81 games last season.