Report: Coyotes' Torres to appeal suspension

Phoenix Coyotes winger Raffi Torres will appeal his 25-game suspension for his hit to the head of Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa in Game 3 of last month's playoff, the NHLPA confirmed Thursday to ESPN.com.

Torres received the harshest league suspension since 2007 and is scheduled to miss the rest of the playoffs. The suspension will carry over to next season if it's not completed during the playoffs.

According to reports, the NHLPA is appealing the ban's length, not the suspension itself.

Torres left his feet to strike a blow to Hossa's head midway through the first period of Game 3, forcing him from the game on a stretcher. He was released from a hospital later that night but didn't return in the series.

An appeal date hasn't been set.