I agree it was the right call. But this is a game changer for him now. A month before retirement, he loses his pension and any post-retirement NHL benefits he's entitled to.
That is going to be fought in court and the NFL Referee's Union will fight with him. It would be best if the league just lets him keep everything but his job. You never know what instructions the league has given over the years to the refs about calling penalties or protecting certain star players like Sidney Crosby or Sidney Crosby and maybe even Sidney Crosby.