Pop quiz hot shots – who emerged victorious in this years’ Stanley Cup finals? Anybody? Perhaps a better question would be, ‘Does anybody care?’
I don’t want to be harsh when it comes to the NHL, after all I myself do love the sport, but there is a reason why this League’s Championship garners weaker ratings then midget 5 pin bowling on ESPN VI. (That’s actually a pretty cool idea, dibs on the treatment). The reason that hockey has become irrelevant is in a word – Pronger.
As in Chris Pronger and his elbow to the head of Senators’ Dean McAmmond, a hit that in effect, knocked McAmmond out for the remainder of the finals. Pronger, justifiably received a one game suspension but to hear Ducks GM Brian Burke complain the day after about the league failing to discipline Chris Neil for a similar, elbows high hit on Andy McDonald, one would be tempted to offer Burke a nice ripe slice of bris to go with his whine. The thing is that, when reviewing both hits, Burke proved to be absolutely correct.
Neil’s hit was an elbow to the head and he seemingly skated half way across the rink to deliver the blow. The difference is that McDonald skated away unphased whereas McAmmond was helped off after spending several minutes sprawled out on the ice trying to remember name rank and serial number.
And that is why no one can take the NHL seriously. It’s not there are violent, suspension worthy offences in the NHL, every sport deals with these issues. It’s the wishy washy, nonsensical and spineless disciplinary process that continues to lock hockey into a niche sport status. There is no consistency, no reference to precedent and too many factors to consider. Was it an elbow or was it a stick? Is he or is he not a superstar? Does he have a history or doesn’t he? Is it the regular season or play offs? Is the player assaulted injured or fine?
The entire process begins to resemble a high school Algebra problem; Player A skates to the corner and hits Player B from behind into the boards. Player B seemed to have turned his back to the hit at the last instant. Player A is a superstar whereas Player B is an average performer. Player A has been suspended 6 times in his 8 year career, although none of those instances were hitting from behind scenarios. Player B was not seriously injured. How long of a suspension does player A deserve. Huh?
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s history will always link the NHL to the NBA, a league that sets the standard for holding players accountable for their actions. The fact that Pronger received a 1 game suspension 2 weeks after receiving a 1 game suspension for plastering Red Wings Forward Tomas Holmstrom’s head into the glass, is laughable. Not only is it laughable but it is disgraceful and it is the reason why the NHL is a light years away from gaining the respect and recognition that it so desperately craves.
Gotta Go, ‘Good Times’ is on.
I don’t want to be harsh when it comes to the NHL, after all I myself do love the sport, but there is a reason why this League’s Championship garners weaker ratings then midget 5 pin bowling on ESPN VI. (That’s actually a pretty cool idea, dibs on the treatment). The reason that hockey has become irrelevant is in a word – Pronger.
As in Chris Pronger and his elbow to the head of Senators’ Dean McAmmond, a hit that in effect, knocked McAmmond out for the remainder of the finals. Pronger, justifiably received a one game suspension but to hear Ducks GM Brian Burke complain the day after about the league failing to discipline Chris Neil for a similar, elbows high hit on Andy McDonald, one would be tempted to offer Burke a nice ripe slice of bris to go with his whine. The thing is that, when reviewing both hits, Burke proved to be absolutely correct.
Neil’s hit was an elbow to the head and he seemingly skated half way across the rink to deliver the blow. The difference is that McDonald skated away unphased whereas McAmmond was helped off after spending several minutes sprawled out on the ice trying to remember name rank and serial number.
And that is why no one can take the NHL seriously. It’s not there are violent, suspension worthy offences in the NHL, every sport deals with these issues. It’s the wishy washy, nonsensical and spineless disciplinary process that continues to lock hockey into a niche sport status. There is no consistency, no reference to precedent and too many factors to consider. Was it an elbow or was it a stick? Is he or is he not a superstar? Does he have a history or doesn’t he? Is it the regular season or play offs? Is the player assaulted injured or fine?
The entire process begins to resemble a high school Algebra problem; Player A skates to the corner and hits Player B from behind into the boards. Player B seemed to have turned his back to the hit at the last instant. Player A is a superstar whereas Player B is an average performer. Player A has been suspended 6 times in his 8 year career, although none of those instances were hitting from behind scenarios. Player B was not seriously injured. How long of a suspension does player A deserve. Huh?
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s history will always link the NHL to the NBA, a league that sets the standard for holding players accountable for their actions. The fact that Pronger received a 1 game suspension 2 weeks after receiving a 1 game suspension for plastering Red Wings Forward Tomas Holmstrom’s head into the glass, is laughable. Not only is it laughable but it is disgraceful and it is the reason why the NHL is a light years away from gaining the respect and recognition that it so desperately craves.
Gotta Go, ‘Good Times’ is on.
posted by average john at 6:27 PM
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