[News] Kings terminate Richards contract. UPD: Kings and Richards reach settlement

[Ice]

Originally Posted by Mattman

I find it disgusting that Slava Voynov's contract is still going despite the fact he abused his wife. But I guess it's a good thing the Kings drew the line at illegal drug possession, right?

oh wait...http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/...-say-1.3041111


I mean come on LA!!! You're 2,529.1 km away you you still stink of bull####!

The Kings can't do anything about Voynov or his contract until he is reinstated by the NHL. I'm pretty sure that's been pointed out many times in this thread. NOBODY in the Kings organization has demonstrated in any capacity they support any player beating his wife. That is absurd.

[driveway]

What about every single player who seemed perfectly fine with Voynov being on the ice two weeks after being charged with domestic violence and a day after entering a Not Guilty plea? Such as Jake Muzzin with whom he took line rushes? Every member of the coaching staff who let it happen? Including Daryl Sutter, in whom I was fantastically disappointed.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/la-king...1593--nhl.html

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by driveway

What about every single player who seemed perfectly fine with Voynov being on the ice two weeks after being charged with domestic violence and a day after entering a Not Guilty plea? Such as Jake Muzzin with whom he took line rushes? Every member of the coaching staff who let it happen? Including Daryl Sutter, in whom I was fantastically disappointed.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/la-king...1593--nhl.html

Also the Voynov incident started at a TEAM halloween party where he struck her and continued the abuse at home.

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by Ice

The Kings can't do anything about Voynov or his contract until he is reinstated by the NHL. I'm pretty sure that's been pointed out many times in this thread. NOBODY in the Kings organization has demonstrated in any capacity they support any player beating his wife. That is absurd.

True but how long did they have before the NHL had to suspend him? If I recall they had until after he was charged.

And yeah when they let Voynov use they practice facilities they clearly showed that beating your spouse isn't a serious enough issue at all. In fact taking drugs over the border is a massive no-no.

Also I'm not saying drug possession is cool but you have to agree that Kings are backwards when it comes to things like thing right now.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

How do you know one or more teams did not try to rehab him? And why should that absolve him completely of blame?

Way too many assumptions in this thread by people on both sides.

If they had tried to rehab him he would have been in the collectively bargained substance abuse program. Duh!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Ice

The Kings can't do anything about Voynov or his contract until he is reinstated by the NHL. I'm pretty sure that's been pointed out many times in this thread. NOBODY in the Kings organization has demonstrated in any capacity they support any player beating his wife. That is absurd.

With all due respect, you've said in the past you are close to sources in the Kings organization. Perhaps so close that you've lost a bit of perspective.

After the "incident", as people have said above, the Kings were still willing to associate with Voynov, with that practice participation which came after the suspension (resulting in a fine). At the time Lombardi said the it would be "beneficial" for Voynov to be with his teammates.

[taco.vidal]

Mike Richards’ case pushed back to December

By James O'BrienSep 10, 2015, 5:45 PM EDT

A lawyer appeared in court on Mike Richards’ behalf on Thursday, and the ultimate result is that his case has been remanded to Dec. 8, according to the Winnipeg Free Press.

No plea was entered regarding charges of possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone).

The incident happened at the Emerson Border Crossing as Richards was entering Canada on June 17, while the arrest itself happened on Aug. 25.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2015/09/10/...k-to-december/

[Calgary4LIfe]

Nice to see the Kings trying to be more proactive here. Not sure if this is all they are planning on changing, but at least it is a step in the right direction. It is also a very interesting article on its' own.

http://www.tsn.ca/from-lifetime-ban-...eline-1.364723

[Ulrith]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Nice to see the Kings trying to be more proactive here. Not sure if this is all they are planning on changing, but at least it is a step in the right direction. It is also a very interesting article on its' own.

http://www.tsn.ca/from-lifetime-ban-...eline-1.364723

Hard to call it proactive after 3 major and public incidents in just the last few months. I mean, good on them for doing something I guess, but this just sounds more like a PR move to me.

[GullFoss]

Sounds like PR and lip service to the nhlpa to me as well

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Sounds like PR and lip service to the nhlpa to me as well

Why would the Kings care about the NHLPA? Maybe the NHLPA should run these programs for all their players, where is their responsibility?

[Street Pharmacist]

Honest philosophical question: why are employers responsible for their employees well being outside of the work place? Why must an employer in this specific case provide anything to a contracted employee with the financial wherewithal to anything the employer can?

[GullFoss]

Id actually argue mike richards addictions to painkillers was a direct result of what a warrior he was on the ice. The nhl is a grind and when you play the way he does for 10+ years and you get the pressure to perform at all costs...

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Honest philosophical question: why are employers responsible for their employees well being outside of the work place? Why must an employer in this specific case provide anything to a contracted employee with the financial wherewithal to anything the employer can?

Because in order to extract maximum return for their investment, they need their players lives to be as healthy as possible, mentally and physically.

It's the same sort of concept as companies investing in extended medical that covers things like kinesiology for their executives.

From a humanist perspective, it makes sense to have an individual who is 'outside the chain of command' like the function a Chaplain serves in the military.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Honest philosophical question: why are employers responsible for their employees well being outside of the work place? Why must an employer in this specific case provide anything to a contracted employee with the financial wherewithal to anything the employer can?

Three reasons that I could think of off the top of my head. Firstly the employer has a vested interest in the employee being happy and healthy, hence more productive; secondly it helps attract better talent, when the employer is known for "caring" and possibly providing benefits others don't; thirdly it allows the employer to have a larger influence in creating the corporate culture that it wants to have.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by heep223

Three reasons that I could think of off the top of my head. Firstly the employer has a vested interest in the employee being happy and healthy, hence more productive; secondly it helps attract better talent, when the employer is known for "caring" and possibly providing benefits others don't; thirdly it allows the employer to have a larger influence in creating the corporate culture that it wants to have.

Fourthly, and most importantly, it's just the right thing to do. As much as I'm happy that a sober Ferland is a benefit to the Flames, the fact that Hartley cared enough to pull him aside would have made me proud to be a Flames fan even if Ferland had never played a game for Calgary.

[Titan]

I think this is a great idea. I could easily see Grats in this role here. Hanging with the boys and being there as a resource for them to ask questions of someone who has been there. The trick is having someone that will be accepted as one of them. Grats would be easy. Mhyrres will have a bit tougher time as he is being dropped into the team and there will be suspicion. With what the teams invest in these players, having someone to step in and provide a bit of guidance or restraint is a great investment.

[Krovikan]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Honest philosophical question: why are employers responsible for their employees well being outside of the work place? Why must an employer in this specific case provide anything to a contracted employee with the financial wherewithal to anything the employer can?

Because drug and alcohol addiction are medically reconized disability in Canada; therefore, protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedom. US has the same classification, I believe the Americans with Disabilities act protects them.

[MBates]

Originally Posted by Ulrith

Hard to call it proactive after 3 major and public incidents in just the last few months. I mean, good on them for doing something I guess, but this just sounds more like a PR move to me.

I think the GM publicly said this was all his fault for not recognizing the problem and doing something about it before these events. When someone takes personal responsibility (which is sadly a rare thing these days) and then says this is what he is going to do, I don't think it's PR.

Maybe too little to late, or not a great idea ultimately, but it seems like a genuine move by a person who did not deflect his blame for the mess.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by cdutka

Because drug and alcohol addiction are medically reconized disability in Canada; therefore, protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedom. US has the same classification, I believe the Americans with Disabilities act protects them.

Agreed, and considering how medicated many athletes are, addiction is very much a potential occupational hazard. It's not unlike a roofer blowing out a knee or a construction worker hurt their back.