NHL emails released

[CaptainYooh]

Man, this is nuclear.

One thing that clearly stands out for me so far (I only read 10 or so emails so far) was how intelligent, logical, confident and articulate Bettman is in his correspondence style. Stark contrast to some of the media guys' writing...

[Weitz]

From what I have read and from articles written about the emails, there really is no smoking gun.

Sure people may judge how the emails are written, but they were meant to be private.

From an Article on Puck Daddy that I agree with:

We looked at dozens of these emails. We saw an NHL that was old school dumb. We san NHL that was new school progressive. We saw an NHL that knows about concussions and player safety issues, and has tried to create ways to deal with them. We saw an NHL that steadfastly refuses to draw the links to brain injury from fighting that many want them to. We saw an NHL that, frankly, exhibits a willingness to listen to dialogue and new ideas while trying to navigate the murky waters of being a physical contact sport in an era of injury awareness and prevention. That especially goes for Bettman, love him or hate him.

We don’t see the willful ignorance of the NFL. And, most importantly, we don’t see any discussions of concussions, CTE and the like that occurred when most of the litigants in this case were NHL players.

[CaptainYooh]

ugh, Kesler...

From: CCampbell@nhl.com Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 11:04 AM To: Bob McKenzie Subject: Re: we were just talking about this last doesn't look good for the kid Gregory had to fight that idiot O'Brian last night and Gregory's helmet came off. (Kesler was being a dick with Gregory and some Panthers so when Gregory went back at him O'Brian came yapping. Gregory used to get into it with him when he was with Tampa). This scares me with the Helmets coming off.

[Coach]

His insistence to refer to his son as Gregory and not Greg probably grinds my gears more than anything else going on here.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Weitz

From what I have read and from articles written about the emails, there really is no smoking gun.

Sure people may judge how the emails are written, but they were meant to be private.

From an Article on Puck Daddy that I agree with:

I don't think it matters. There should still be an expectation of professionalism and they deserve to be judged by their customers for their lack of professionalism. Whether they were meant to be private still shows how childish and classless some of them are. I mean, if a 15 word text message between just 2 players can be used to challenge a player's character, then several emails where several others were copied is at least as much of an indication of the author's character.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Though I don't find anything wrong with the content of the emails, they sure show Colin Campbell likely had a severe bias and should not have been in the position he was.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by Weitz

From what I have read and from articles written about the emails, there really is no smoking gun.

Sure people may judge how the emails are written, but they were meant to be private.

Here, here. But, what fascinating reading. It's better than those 24 hour access shows. Very cool to get a glimpse into the various relationships within the NHL "circle".

[Dogbert]

I don't see what's so controversial about anything McKenzie or Dreger said.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Dogbert

I don't see what's so controversial about anything McKenzie or Dreger said.

I was really surprised to see how much power, influence and access the media has to the NHL top brass. I would have expected to see at least some ignorance and disdain for the media in their internal email exchanges but nothing like that. They all respond to the requests and not only respond, they are worried about HOW to respond.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Campbell is an interesting cat because he's got that old school mentality but also has concern for his son.

I believe that's called a Hypocrite.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I believe that's called a Hypocrite.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Hmmm I guess. I also see it as a man wrestling with a lot of competing priorities.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Hmmm I guess. I also see it as a man wrestling with a lot of competing priorities.

He's in a position of authority to make alterations to the game.

For me, it's plain old hypocrisy. When he talks about having headaches during his playing career and playing through them I don't see him wrestling with anything, I see his hubris displayed in glorious technicolour.

What do these 'doctors' know about 'concussions' anyway? Have any of them ever stepped on the ice? No? Then their medical opinions must be invalid.

Campbell is a grade-A dinosaur.

[FurnaceFace]

I'm sure we've all written things that with hindsight and scrutiny would be seen in a less than positive light. I'm also sure we've all read plenty of business emails with cringeworthy grammar and glib comments in them.

You don't always write careful emails especially when sending them internally. I do agree they should be careful when sending things externally to the media. It's a good lesson that our work emails could be subject to the same scrutiny at some point.

[united]

Bob McKenzie
http://www.tsn.ca/vesey-saga-keeps-c...oston-1.461699

"I have known for some time that it's possible a number of my emails could be made public. That has caused me many sleepless nights as well as a great deal of discomfort, embarrassment and regret.
"I obviously did not anticipate at the time that what I believed to be private correspondence would end up in the public domain. Yet I also have, for some time since then, fully recognized the perils of using company email as it pertains to privacy, or lack thereof.
"I obviously have to take full responsibility for the emails I've written. That said, I don't feel the need to publicly address or comment on any of the specifics within those emails, other than to say I've taken the necessary step in the past months to make amends, so to speak, with anyone who I feel was impacted negatively by these emails and I will continue to do so, as required.
"Beyond that, I will have no further comment."

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

I'm sure we've all written things that with hindsight and scrutiny would be seen in a less than positive light. I'm also sure we've all read plenty of business emails with cringeworthy grammar and glib comments in them.

You don't always write careful emails especially when sending them internally. I do agree they should be careful when sending things externally to the media. It's a good lesson that our work emails could be subject to the same scrutiny at some point.

I guess it depends on what type of business you are in. For my work emails, I always triple check them for spelling and especially tone before hitting send because it is understood that they are a permanent conversation record. While bad spelling or grammar does sneak through occasionally, it is understood that you shouldn't record things like name calling or obviously condescending tones. Emails from years ago are still accessed today for information and you never know who will be reading what one day. It's hard to believe that a multi-billion dollar business like the NHL basically has a bunch of meatheads sending out internal company emails like this.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I guess it depends on what type of business you are in. For my work emails, I always triple check them for spelling and especially tone before hitting send because it is understood that they are a permanent conversation record. While bad spelling or grammar does sneak through occasionally, it is understood that you shouldn't record things like name calling or obviously condescending tones. Emails from years ago are still accessed today for information and you never know who will be reading what one day. It's hard to believe that a multi-billion dollar business like the NHL basically has a bunch of meatheads sending out internal company emails like this.

Agreed, some companies and industries are more careful or aware than others. Some also have FOIP rules they make sure people know about. I've worked in multi billion dollar companies where people in leadership positions had cringeworthy writing skills. It doesn't impact their skills or abilities in running a company though. Often those people are great motivators, leaders, entrepreneurs, etc.

Some people just care more or are more aware of grammar, spelling, and choice of words. I can see hockey guys firing emails back and forth with each other without really caring. Also there are a few mobile device signatures on the emails which are often written more quickly with less time to review and re-review.

I think the quote from Bob McKenzie sums things up. It was in the back of his mind but not something he really planned on happening when he wrote the emails. Again, some companies focus on it more than others.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by united

Bob McKenzie
http://www.tsn.ca/vesey-saga-keeps-c...oston-1.461699

"I have known for some time that it's possible a number of my emails could be made public. That has caused me many sleepless nights as well as a great deal of discomfort, embarrassment and regret.
"I obviously did not anticipate at the time that what I believed to be private correspondence would end up in the public domain. Yet I also have, for some time since then, fully recognized the perils of using company email as it pertains to privacy, or lack thereof.
"I obviously have to take full responsibility for the emails I've written. That said, I don't feel the need to publicly address or comment on any of the specifics within those emails, other than to say I've taken the necessary step in the past months to make amends, so to speak, with anyone who I feel was impacted negatively by these emails and I will continue to do so, as required.
"Beyond that, I will have no further comment."

Interesting. Guys like McKenzie make a living over the actions of people in the sporting world good or bad. Now some of his actions are under scrutiny and he has "no further comment"?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Interesting. Guys like McKenzie make a living over the actions of people in the sporting world good or bad. Now some of his actions are under scrutiny and he has "no further comment"?

What actions have been exposed that are particularly wrong?

[polak]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Interesting. Guys like McKenzie make a living over the actions of people in the sporting world good or bad. Now some of his actions are under scrutiny and he has "no further comment"?

What else can he say really?

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

What actions have been exposed that are particularly wrong?

Nothing wrong, but the media likes to shove cameras and microphones in everyone else's face. Why shouldn't a member of the media expect or recieve similiar treatment.