[News] UPD: Friedman: Peters being officially removed as head coach is close

[PepsiFree]

If the NHLPA is saying "instead of just releasing stories through twitter, please also report abuse through the proper channels" that's a very good thing.

If the NHLPA is saying "don't release these stories on twitter, report abuse through the proper channels instead" then I question it somewhat. I'm sure there are reasonable and perhaps even legal reasons for this, but I also don't think it's smart to go silencing your players.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by ThisIsAnOutrage

Seems to me the Flames are left holding the bag for Peters' past behaviour as his current employer, when the issue - at this point anyway - is an interpersonal one between he and Aliu.

Seriously? Racism only effects the person he was being racist towards?

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I'm not sure what to think about this.

I like it. I am not a fan of the "court of public opinion."

Like, on one hand, internal reports are easier to cover up/ignore/etc, but on the other hand, an accusation posted on Twitter can do irreparable harm almost immediately without any corroborative evidence, or even the slightest attempt at fact-checking.

In this particular case, though, there are a lot of stories coming out from a lot of different sources, and there appears to be corroboration on at least the bigger ones, so I'm comfortable with a "smoke/fire" assertion.

[Mattman]

Did Peters ever coach Commodore?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Did Peters ever coach Commodore?

Briefly in Det as Babs’ asst.

[krazycanuck]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

If the NHLPA is saying "instead of just releasing stories through twitter, please also report abuse through the proper channels" that's a very good thing.

If the NHLPA is saying "don't release these stories on twitter, report abuse through the proper channels instead" then I question it somewhat. I'm sure there are reasonable and perhaps even legal reasons for this, but I also don't think it's smart to go silencing your players.

The PA's job is to also protect the players. If a player feels he got an unfair shake from a coach, but nothing harassing, bullying etc has gone on, but he spouts off on twitter about it, there is the potential for lawsuits against the player as well.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I'm not sure what to think about this.

I have a tough time believing the PA cares one bit about a cup of coffee player like Aliu. Why would you wait for the PA to do something about it? The PA doesn't come out looking any worse in all of this and there is no benefit to involving them.

[stang]

He’s not even a member of the PA anymore

But I think this is for current members

[FanIn80]

I think this is just a "reminder" message from the PA to please go through proper channels vs public outings. These days a Tweet can level a person's entire career in hours, and there's literally nothing stopping anyone from doing it.

In no way am I attempting to defend an aggressor or shame a victim. I'm only suggesting that there has to be a better way.

[ThisIsAnOutrage]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Seriously? Racism only effects the person he was being racist towards?

Not what I'm saying. To clarify,

Aliu told the story about what happened between he and Peters. He didn't mention the Flames, or even the Hawks. I haven't kept up on whether he has made more tweets, but I don't think he suggested what, if anything, the Flame should do to deal with the situation. The issue, the events that happened, are between Aliu and Peters, not Aliu and the Flames. That's what I mean by saying the Flames are left holding the bag. If he worked for the Penguins, Burger King, or Canadian Tire presumably then they would have to deal with this instead.

What I was pondering is if Peters should have the chance to correct what he did himself, by working it out with Aliu - again, if Aliu was even remotely interested in that - before the Flames take their actions as Peters' employer.

If Peters, on his own, could make amends, and demonstrate that he is indeed a different person today [I am not suggesting that is likely to be the case] it may affect what the Flames want to do.

Also, I don't know that Aliu would necessarily want Peters fired. In the course of my professional life, I've had to investigate situations like this. Sometimes people want a person fired, sometimes they just want others to know what happened, sometimes they want an apology, sometimes they just want to know that others see it as a serious problem. It's up to the individual. Aliu should have the option to hear what Peters has to say to him - if anything - if he wants to.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Coaches get fired all the time. It's simple as they continue to get paid. And they could just go that route if they wanted - no need to negotiate in this case. As suggested, by someone, it's more likely they want to terminate his contract using the ethical clause. To avoid paying him and make an ultra strong statement. I would also bet, this is tricky as his unethical behaviour occurred long before signing the contract with the Flames and not during his tenure with the Flames.

I pretty much agree.

I will admit that I don't know how coaching contracts are structured, but I think they typically "relieved of their duty", so not technically fired.

If the Flames want to make that statement, and I am not saying they shouldn't; it could be a long and drawn out legal battle which either side might lose. I am somewhat expecting they negotiate a resignation somewhere in the middle to hedge their bets and make it a clean separation.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

Coaches get fired all the time. It's simple as they continue to get paid. And they could just go that route if they wanted - no need to negotiate in this case. As suggested, by someone, it's more likely they want to terminate his contract using the ethical clause. To avoid paying him and make an ultra strong statement. I would also bet, this is tricky as his unethical behaviour occurred long before signing the contract with the Flames and not during his tenure with the Flames.

This is, I think, exactly the debate going on with outside counsel, PR people and maybe the league.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I think this is just a "reminder" message from the PA to please go through proper channels vs public outings. These days a Tweet can level a person's entire career in hours, and there's literally nothing stopping anyone from doing it.

In no way am I attempting to defend an aggressor or shame a victim. I'm only suggesting that there has to be a better way.

Correct.

This is the NHLPA looking out for their members. In a hyper-litigious world, anything said on Social Media could end badly.

[TheScorpion]

News Update

Update from the Flames:

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/upda...ng/c-311833400

Investigation still ongoing.
Peters will not be behind the bench tomorrow

Geoff Ward will handle head coaching duties in the interim

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by landshark

Yeah, I'm sure this if this guy talked to the PA, all hell would break loose within 24 hours. Sure...

I took this as being directed towards current players coming forward with things in the light of this and not directed at Aliu.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Updated statement from the Flames.

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/upda...ng/c-311833400

https://twitter.com/user/status/1199501812853641216

Basically, nothing new to say.

[sureLoss]

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/upda...ng/c-311833400

Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving tonight provided the following update:

"Our review into the allegations from last evening continues. This is a very serious matter and we want to be thorough in our review.

Bill Peters will not be behind the bench for the Flames game tomorrow night in Buffalo. Associate coach Geoff Ward will handle head coaching duties.

We will have no further comment until our review is complete."

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Update from the Flames:

Investigation still ongoing.
Peters will not be behind the bench tomorrow

Geoff Ward will handle head coaching duties in the interim

Now is your chance boys. Win 10-0.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/upda...ng/c-311833400

Why not just say he's on leave or indefinite suspension until the conclude their investigation? The day to day status seems to just create drama.

[Aarongavey]

There is a strong implication the longer this investigation goes on that somehow Brad and the investigators may think there is an appropriate forum for a superior to drop a N bomb in the workplace? I hope a reporter asks Brad tomorrow whether he thinks Peters used the N word against a 20 year old. Nobody will but someone should ask him if he thinks Peters said that.