Ouch. NHL emails released re: concussions & fighting... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Dr. Doom · 03-28-2016, 03:02 PM

http://www.tsn.ca/link-between-fight...mails-1.460651

As you can imagine some very interesting dialogue in there....

FiveSeven · 03-28-2016, 03:13 PM

After watching Concussion and reading about players struggles with them...scary stuff.
I can't wait to see the next move.

Heavy Jack · 03-28-2016, 03:29 PM

Man Bettman comes off as pretty arrogant/unconcerned in those emails... One of the more interesting/important storylines in the league right now IMO and he doesn't seem to share any empathy on the matter.

StrykerSteve · 03-28-2016, 03:31 PM

Nice to see Bettman on the other end of private emails being released for public consumption. /Wideman

HotHotHeat · 03-28-2016, 03:39 PM

Quote:

“Any more concussions?” Bettman replied.

“Not so far,” Shanahan replied.

“Night is young!” Bettman wrote.

Oops.

Resolute 14 · 03-28-2016, 03:41 PM

They aren't wrong in frequently commenting that the NHLPA opposes the removal of fighting though. As always, the players themselves share a good percentage of the blame.

Sutter_in_law · 03-28-2016, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Man Bettman comes off as pretty arrogant/unconcerned in everyday of his life

fyp

btimbit · 03-28-2016, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sutter_in_law

fyp

For sure. The guy is just a slimeball

TheAlpineOracle · 03-28-2016, 03:50 PM

Don't really see what is so shocking about those emails. Seems like a normal infromal conversation some executives would have at any company.

I don't generally agree with Bettman, but his opinion that the type of person a "goon" role attracts are those that are predisposed to substance abuse issues is something I've felt for years, especially in the 80s and 90s. Live hard, play hard type of guys. His comments about Donald Fehr are spot on as well.

Azure · 03-28-2016, 03:54 PM

Seem pretty normal to me.

My bigger issue is when the NFL or NHL deny that a problem exists, and then in turn deny doing research to solve said problem. Who knows where we'd be in terms of treating concussions if the NFL had admitted to the issue 20 years ago. And not just for NFL players. Lots of everyday people get concussions too, and all of us would benefit from big money being stuck into medical research.

Five-hole · 03-28-2016, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Oops.

I read that in a more exasperated tone of voice, considering the context of the conversation being a rash of injuries. Sort of a "with our luck..." kind of thing.

Philly06Cup · 03-28-2016, 04:37 PM

Permanent 4 on 4. It's the solution to so many of NHL's problems.

It means more excitement and scoring. More open ice, reducing physicality but increasing skill. It will reduce jobs for NHL'ers but mostly fringe players and skill-less goons.

JiriHrdina · 03-28-2016, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

Permanent 4 on 4. It's the solution to so many of NHL's problems.

It means more excitement and scoring. More open ice, reducing physicality but increasing skill. It will reduce jobs for NHL'ers but mostly fringe players and skill-less goons.

And way less jobs. PA would never agree to it.

VladtheImpaler · 03-28-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

And way less jobs. PA would never agree to it.

40 teams.

Resolute 14 · 03-28-2016, 04:46 PM

Honestly, I don't view 4 on 4 as being more exciting than 5 on 5.

Enoch Root · 03-28-2016, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

Permanent 4 on 4. It's the solution to so many of NHL's problems.

It means more excitement and scoring. More open ice, reducing physicality but increasing skill. It will reduce jobs for NHL'ers but mostly fringe players and skill-less goons.

It might reduce physicality, but I doubt it would reduce stick work.

Camronius · 03-28-2016, 06:04 PM

What a hypocrite Bettman is:

Quote:

"The selective released leaking of documents out of context may cause some people to scratch their heads, a couple of other people maybe to, for a brief moment, be a little embarrassed about salty language or the like,” he said. “But I'm very comfortable with our record.
"I think in terms of us doing our business on an ongoing basis and the fact that we have the league to run, I'd prefer these things not be public. They'll be a distraction at best, but I don't think they impact the rest of the case."

This was exactly my beef with the wideman texts, a small excerpt, out of context and something that would be a distraction that should remain private..... wow, reading this made me angry.

N-E-B · 03-28-2016, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

Permanent 4 on 4. It's the solution to so many of NHL's problems.

It means more excitement and scoring. More open ice, reducing physicality but increasing skill. It will reduce jobs for NHL'ers but mostly fringe players and skill-less goons.

More excitement maybe, but why does everyone think there needs to be more scoring? Have you ever left a game and said "gee that game was awesome but I wish it had more goals!"? No. Probably never. Aside from the odd 1-0 snoozer, scoring isn't an issue. Too much scoring is boring.

Lord Carnage · 03-28-2016, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N-E-B

More excitement maybe, but why does everyone think there needs to be more scoring? Have you ever left a game and said "gee that game was awesome but I wish it had more goals!"? No. Probably never. Aside from the odd 1-0 snoozer, scoring isn't an issue. Too much scoring is boring.

Can't comment on anyone else, but as someone who has been going to Flames games since 1980, I can conclusively say, "yes, I have often left a game wishing for more scoring".

As an observer, I always enjoy a 6-4 loss more than a 3-1 loss.

I would agree 20-18 would be dull (like basketball), but that's not a hockey score anyway.

Flash Walken · 03-28-2016, 08:10 PM

4-4 would make the game faster and the contact more devastating. I'm not in favour of that. Widening the ice I think would contribute to more offence because it would be more difficult to sit at the blueline, but I could also see increased charging penalties as guys hustle more to remain in position.

The ideal solution is just have the officials enforce a stricter brand of obstruction as used to be the case when they first changed the rules.

'Game Management' is surel yat this point in 2016 a cubic yard of bull####. 'Game Management' is a joke. The idea that a referee will tell two linesmen to 'let them go' (and break the rules) is equally as big of a joke.

The culture of enforcement and referees in the NHL is in need of a substantial overhaul. The amount of criticism the refs receive from coaches and players is borderline absurd for a professional league.

The league prefers ambiguity and game management to strict adherence to the rules and the sport as a whole suffers significantly at all other levels by this flippant approach to credibility. If the league itself doesn't seem to value the integrity of their officiating then why should anyone else?

It's why I can't bring myself to get upset about officiating. The game is borderline fraudulent at times. Really decreases my enjoyment of the product as well.