Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
This is part of the problem, but I think the biggest contributing factor is that those sitting in the office of disciplinarian are too close to those who oversee the game. The position was once held by Brian Burke, who was succeeded by Colin Campbell. Campbell was a former coach who will likely find work with another team or back with the League before long. Burke was an agent and a GM before taking the job, and returned to working for an NHL team. Shanahan has gone on to work as a team executive after his stint, and I have no doubt that Stephan Quintal will likely also find more work in the NHL when his term is done.
If the league was serious about discipline, then the office would be truly independent. It would be staffed with people who have no ties to the League or to any particular team. They would be nobodies with no past and no future in hockey.
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With the information we have about concussions now, and longer term follow ups on sports athletes in general, we the public have a better understanding of the ramifications of an injury shortened career. We can now see ways in which two instances of "having your bell rung" can really stop a career in its tracks... while also debilitating the player in his post-sports life.
With people on the outside better realizing the full ramifications of these injuries, I think the punishment meted out seems less and less sufficient.