For now, he is suspended indefinitely. Instead of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman having the ultimate word, this one went to real court. Real charges were filed, as though the Bruins fellow had bushwhacked the Vancouver guy in some alley. If the blow had ended Brashear's career, it should've been left to him to personally consider legal action. If his concussion leads to further problems, McSorley still can be liable for a civil suit.
Precedents are scary.
It the word is to come from a geek with a gavel, let it be some commissioner. I'm not sure where the line is drawn. Or should be. Hockey violence is waning. Fights, while still too frequent, occur far less than in the old NHL days.