Bettman suspends Lidstrom, Datsyuk 1-game each

[egroen 384]

MUST READ:

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/01/ho..._back.html#more

"I'm not going to call Nick and tell him he's got to go to Montreal to sit and talk with the media for a day," said a fiery Holland, who is upset with the NHL's treatment of Lidstrom on this issue. "Imagine me calling Nick, a six-time Norris Trophy winner, four-time Stanley Cup winner and someone who has gone to the last 10 all-star games and telling him he can't spend the time with his four boys and wife.

"I have too much respect for Nick because I know he's playing in pain. He's shown up at every NHL Awards show he's been nominated for. He's done everything the league has asked him to do. He's put in his time and he's paid his dues. I'm backing my player because I know he's hurt."

....

"I don't know exactly what Gary has said, but we've always encouraged our players to go and they have over the years," Holland said. "We played in the Winter Classic when asked even though there was some internal opposition. We gave up our traditional New Year's Eve game. We've helped carry the flag for the league for more than a decade. I think we've tried to be good partners in these things. I understand the All-Star Game is important, but I'm not going to tell Nick and Pavel to go either."

I have never heard Holland this pissed, quite honestly. Good for him!

Edited January 24, 2009 by egroen

[HockeytownRN 0]

Wow, you go Kenny!

So it does sound like Lids and Dats asked Kenny for the week off after the game Tuesday b/c they were injured, and yet it is FRIDAY now and this story comes out with Bettman?! Seriously, i'm sure that Kenny notified Bettman after the game on Tuesday that Lids and Dats weren't going to be there as there was another article talking about trying to get another Wing player to go in their place. It is bull s*** that this just came out today, seriously. I always liked Kenny Holland, but his comments just solidify that even more.

[egroen 384]

From every reference I have seen to the rule, it is pretty cut and dry. If a player does not PLAY in the All Star Game because of an injury, they must miss either the preceding or following game.

Yet out of thin air today, there is an exception to the rule... and it just happens to be that since Crosby is there in Montreal, he is the exception.

In other words, Bettman is willing to make an exception for Crosby, but obviously not for Datsyuk and Lidstrom.

Edited January 24, 2009 by egroen

[BlueMonk 102]

On the positive side, I hope this generates a real siege-mentality amongst the wings. Last year we were out to prove that we weren't too old, too soft and too European. Maybe a big ******** to Bettman is just what this team needs to rally around.

You know, I was thinking the same thing. It could turn out to be a real motivator for them.

When the Patriots went 16-0 last year, people close to Belichick said he was out to send a big FU to the league over the video scandal. I'd like to see the Wings respond the same way, except for the losing in the championship game part, of course.

[Bluedevils_13 0]

Crosby may be in Montreal, but does eh have a family or any kids? Isn't he still living in Lemiux's house? Although I can't blame him for that, just sayin.

[Uniblab 12]

I don't speak French, but as best I can tell it says:

The NHL has suspended Datsyuk and Lidstrom for refusing to participate in an event sponsored by the league. They will be suspended without pay. Brodour received the same treatment after missing an allstar game.

Gary Bettman, the bastard offspring of a mutant iguana and a leprechaun, has imposed these sanctions after the Wings told him to blow it out his bum, which is, as the rest of him, full of unmentionable waste product.

OK, I made the last paragraph up. But the first part is as close as I can come to accurate.

EDIT: lets go pavel's translation below is accurate. My first paragraph is not. Ignore it.

Who cares if you made it up, it's better than the original, and more accurate!

[PRStoetzer 1]

From every reference I have seen to the rule, it is pretty cut and dry. If a player does not PLAY in the All Star Game because of an injury, they must miss either the preceding or following game.

Yet out of thin air today, there is an exception to the rule... and it just happens to be that since Crosby is there in Montreal, he is the exception.

In other words, Bettman is willing to make an exception for Crosby, but obviously not for Datsyuk and Lidstrom.

It is in the CBA, but Brodeur was not suspended last season.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

This just in from Pittsburgh:

Sidney Crosby is now listed with two (2) injuries:

1) A lower-body injury: his knee and

2) An upper-body injury: whip marks.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

This just in from Pittsburgh:

Sidney Crosby is now listed with two (2) injuries:

1) A lower-body injury: his knee and

2) An upper-body injury: whip marks.

Ba doom cha!

[egroen 384]

It is in the CBA, but Brodeur was not suspended last season.

No, it's not. The one game suspension was a rule created last year. The exception was created today.

[Echolalia 2,961]

Has anyone seen the video at tsn.ca regerding all of this? Everyone including Colin Campbell is behind Lidstrom and Dats, then they interview Crosby and he pretty much sides completely with Bettman.

[HockeytownRN 0]

Crosby may be in Montreal, but does eh have a family or any kids? Isn't he still living in Lemiux's house? Although I can't blame him for that, just sayin.

No you do have a point. Plus the fact that as Kenny says Lids has played in the last 10 All-Stars, and Sid the "Kid" has played in.....

[Red Crazy 201]

It would be nice if we could get Buttman's Email address. It would be nice to send him a FU from all of us! lol

[Glubki 17]

Meh - You break the rules you pay the penalty (depending on which team you play for) they get paid to sit for one game and the league gets a bunch of bad press. Nothing new....

[Icesurfer 75]

The funny thing about this whole mess is that the joke is on the Duck and Blackhawk fans who spent countless hours and days punching in their votes for their players...... and it makes Buttman look like an idiot either way.

[LeftWinger 5,153]

...so let me get this right, Lids and Dats suspended, Kathy Lee Crosby not? What kid of garbage is that? Well, you can kiss another Norris, Selke and Lady BIng g'bye this season. Boy Mr. Dithers, er I mean Bettman must REALLY hate the Red Wings now! Watch out for cheapshots and heads looking the other way from here on out through the rest of the season!!! The NHL is totally going to cheat Detroit out of everything after they embarrassed them like this!!!

...Oh well! Next he'll be fining players who say no to large contracts to sign for less in Detroit. I can see it now, "Mr. Hossa, Phoenix offered you $10 million a year to play there but you signed in Detroit for $5 million, we're gonna have to suspend you for the life of the contract and fine you the $5 Million per season you turned down..."

"Oh, and Red Wings you are suspended from ANY playoff appearances for the next 5 years, pending investigation into how you're always able to draft superstars in the 7th round! From now on you can ONLY draft out of the state of Utah."

[PRStoetzer 1]

No, it's not. The one game suspension was a rule created last year. The exception was created today.

Indeed. Windsor Star was wrong.

However, there is nothing in the CBA that says a player has any obligation to participate in the All-Star Game. Anything that places an additional obligation on the player would need to be collectively bargained. Was the CBA properly amended for this additional rule?

If not, then the PA would have a case against the NHL.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

Maybe this will be the fire that we need. Remember last year when Bettman was blatantly anti-Red Wings and banned Octopi?

[lets go pavel 2]

Indeed. Windsor Star was wrong.

However, there is nothing in the CBA that says a player has any obligation to participate in the All-Star Game. Anything that places an additional obligation on the player would need to be collectively bargained. Was the CBA properly amended for this additional rule?

If not, then the PA would have a case against the NHL.

I looked through it, albeit briefly, after your first post and didn't see any mention of a player's obligation to attend. There is an attached All Star Game letter, but it deals with player compensation and benefits.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

...so let me get this right, Lids and Dats suspended, Kathy Lee Crosby not?

Incoming: another log for "The Crosby Fire".

According to TSN, there was a conference call between the League, Pittsburgh and The NHLPA. The question from Pittsburgh was: what does Crosby have to do in order to play Tuesday? The answer: strap yourself to a gurney and get to Montreal ASAP. And, apparently, that's what's he's doing.

After all, he is the face.

[Icesurfer 75]

DRWs should have a Lidstrom look-alike contest for occasions such as this. And if the look-alike had a swedish accent no one would know the difference.

[Statts 4]

Has anyone seen the video at tsn.ca regerding all of this? Everyone including Colin Campbell is behind Lidstrom and Dats, then they interview Crosby and he pretty much sides completely with Bettman.

Yeah. Even Pierre Mcguire is siding with Lidstrom, and is pretty animate about the whole situation. Not sure if that is a positive though.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

This is absolute horses***. Obviously the intent to enforce this rule should have been made clear to the players sometime other than the day of the god damn off ice events they expect the players to participate in.

I honestly hope the NHLPA appeals this on behalf of Lids and Dats simply based on the asinine timing of this announcement. IF they intended to ******* enforce this rule they could have said something WEDNESDAY when Dats and Lids made it clear they weren't attending the game.

And why are players skipping the game? Partially because of the fact that the ballot stuffing used to create a laughable pair of starting line ups have eroded the credibility of the whole game.

[PRStoetzer 1]

From the NHL Standard Player Contract:

2. The Player agrees to give his services and to play hockey in all NHL Games, All Star

Games, International Hockey Games and Exhibition Games to the best of his ability under the

direction and control of the Club in accordance with the provisions hereof.

It seems clear that the NHL has no right to require a player to play in the All-Star Game. Participation in the All Star Game is clearly left to the discretion of the Club and not the NHL.

[LeftWinger 5,153]

...it just burns Dithers up that the most talented player in the NHL doesn't play in Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Chicago or somewhere south of Toledo. He plays in Detroit. He will ALWAYS play in Detroit and that player just happens to be from Russia (which Dithers should actually like since he has done his best to UN-North Americanize this sport.)

...it just chaps his ass that the best team resides in Detroit. I wonder how many times Mike Ilitch was asked if he would move his team to Hunstville or Greenbow Alabama? G.D. why can't the NHL just rid themselves of this vermin?!?!? First Octopi, now Lids & Dats, what's next? PLay with one arm behind your backs??!?!