No Fine for Whine Devine
Ok, an awfully cheesy title, but it is the quickest way to get to what I want to say. The NHL not fining Brendan Shanahan for his criticism of the officials is definitely a good thing. In fact, there’s been no muzzling this season in the NHL IIRC and that in itself is a message to the players and coaches of the league: feel free to speak up, about anything.
Shanahan’s comments made many a paper and were on SportsCenter. It’s a complaint, but it’s a voice, and it was heard.
The NHL’s non-action is either loosening of the contol mindset they’ve had in the past, or a realization that any talk about the NHL is a little more coverage. Either way, it’s a good thing.
Whether or not this should apply to owners is another matter, because the negative impact of an owner whining is too much of a hit for a league viewed as unstable. In another words, it’s not the same as Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban going off about something David Stern’s done in the NBA.
Cal Nichols, owner of the Oilers, comes to mind. He’s been taking swipes Gary Bettman for a three-year schedule plan he agreed upon post-lockout. At first much of the Canadian media was behind him, as they too want to see the schedule changed, but the Nichols kool-aid has been thinning out. The latest reality check comes from Jim Kelly in his Backhands column.
You want leadership? We’ll, it starts with you. Next time, try building a consensus for change with your fellow govs regarding a schedule change instead of doing a slap down on the one man who’s done more for economic stability for small market Canadian teams than any person in the history of the game.
Nichols hasn’t gotten much ink in the US, so no harm there, but the age old question of “is any publicity good publicity?” comes into play. If quotes from Nichols did make US papers or ESPN, is it really that bad? Is there any image to protect anymore?
One of the non-stop and favorite rumors from Penguins fans is that Cuban could/should buy the Penguins to help keep them in Pittsburgh. If that should ever become reality the NHL should sign the deal and hand him a megaphone at the press conference.
Update 430am: From Damien Cox:
But whether he recognizes it or not, his post-game tantrum on Wednesday night undercut any sense of neutrality as a commentator on the current NHL state of affairs.
Every comment he makes now on the NHL will be viewed through the prism of a player trying to gain an edge for his team. Just like every other player.
It’s a good point. Shanahan’s comments did have consequences. Since the lockout he’s been viewed as the competition committee’s Brendan Shanahan. If a contract, goal 600 and a scrap against Donald Brashear haven’t cemented it, his comments have: he’s the New York Rangers’ Brendan Shanahan first and foremost.
Comments:
Next entry: Fool's Gold
Previous entry: NHL on Versus One More Year?