ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 26: Antoine Vermette #50 of the Anaheim Ducks looks on during the second period of a game against the Nashville Predators at Honda Center on October 26, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Antoine Vermette is eligible to return from his 10-game suspension for Sunday’s game against the Washington Capitals. The Anaheim Ducks forward was remorseful after slashing the back of linesman Shandor Alphonso’s leg during a Feb. 14 game and this week in speaking with Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register.

“Of course you can’t do that,” Vermette said. “And I accept this responsibility. I shouldn’t do that. My intention probably looks a lot more awkward on the video, to get his attention even though it’s a bad idea to address it at that stage. Totally out of character.”

Vermette not only apologized for his actions in a statement released after his 10-game suspension was upheld by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, but he also reached out via phone to Alphonso to express his regret. The 34-year-old had never been fined or suspended in his nearly 1,000-game career, so to see him involved in this type of incident was a big surprise to many.

Ultimately, Vermette, who’s used his time off to stay sharp on the ice and in the gym, decided against appealing to a neutral arbitrator and will sit for two more games while losing out on $97,222.22 in salary.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy

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