73 replies to this topic

[Zion]

If I were visiting another hockey board and found a Red Wings discussion about a Detroit player with a problem, followed by some of these posts, I'd figure I were at a St. Louis Blues forum.

Shameful some of the things said here. No one hates Jordin Tootoo the player more than this guy, but I wish him nothing less than a speedy and full recovery. This is just hockey, people.

[stevkrause]

If I were visiting another hockey board and found a Red Wings discussion about a Detroit player with a problem, followed by some of these posts, I'd figure I were at a St. Louis Blues forum.

Shameful some of the things said here. No one hates Jordin Tootoo the player more than this guy, but I wish him nothing less than a speedy and full recovery. This is just hockey, people.

I think the problem with a lot of people here, is that there are a lot of bad stories out there about Tootoo the man, as well as Tootoo the hockey player, that are very damning and cast a poor reflection on him as a human being as well...

Everyone deserves a second chance, but we are all responsible for our own actions and have to accept responsibility and own up to our mistakes... now that he's out of rehab, it will tell if he's actually trying to become a better person, or just giving lip service and will continue to be a low life...

[Shoreline]

I think the problem with a lot of people here, is that there are a lot of bad stories out there about Tootoo the man, as well as Tootoo the hockey player, that are very damning and cast a poor reflection on him as a human being as well...

Everyone deserves a second chance, but we are all responsible for our own actions and have to accept responsibility and own up to our mistakes... now that he's out of rehab, it will tell if he's actually trying to become a better person, or just giving lip service and will continue to be a low life...

Professional athletes tend to relapse into this sort of thing. Dunno why. I do know it isn't so much location.. this happens too frequently.

Sounds a bit funny playing hockey while blasted, but in truth the way he plays hockey most of the time when I'm viewing, he looks rather lackadaisical when it isn't targeting someone for a cheap shot. I've actually liked the few highlights I've seen with him making a good pass or shot. It's quite underrated, watching him when he was in juniors he was a hell of a shot, but that's his own fault really that it hasn't translated much to the NHL. Cruel and harsh reality doesn't feel sorry -- one has to overcome their own demons, or wind up like his brother and consequently my father.

[cusimano_brothers]

From Sportsnet:

Nashville Predators forward Jordin Tootoo has been cleared to play again while he continues treatment in a substance-abuse and behavioural-health program.

The NHL and the player's association announced the decision in a joint statement Saturday.
...

[LidstromIsASuperhero]

Sooo he's a stalker, an alcoholic, and a dirty player on the ice. I don't care what excuses he has to act like that because it shouldn't have to be anyone else's problem. f*** this guy.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

With Nashville potentially looking for upgrades at forward, i wonder if there will be any room for him. Maybe he's even dealt away?

[Original-Six]

I can understand people not liking him as a player but taking pot shots at a guy for getting help because he wants to make his life better is pretty low. Tootoo has been battling with alcoholism since 2002 after his brother committed suicide. Maybe some of you have never seen a family member or friend deal with substance abuse/behavioral problems but its sad and often tragic. Im sure no one on these boards was calling McCarty a low life when he was dealing with substance abuse, went bankrupt because of a gambling addiction and divorced his wife.

[ChelisChick]

Tootoo played Saturday night. Didn't have alot of minutes, but he did look and play better. With all the injuries Nashville has right now, he came back into the lineup just in time. I don't think he's going anywhere this season.

[Feldmarschall]

Someday they'll write a Probert-esque book about this guy and we'll see Trotz repeating the Wings' management - "I have never tried so hard on a hockey player as we did with Jordin."

Hopefully he's a little more successful than Probie was at beating his demons.

[cusimano_brothers]

There was no "success"; in the end, the demons beat him.

[wingslogo19]

I can understand people not liking him as a player but taking pot shots at a guy for getting help because he wants to make his life better is pretty low. Tootoo has been battling with alcoholism since 2002 after his brother committed suicide. Maybe some of you have never seen a family member or friend deal with substance abuse/behavioral problems but its sad and often tragic. Im sure no one on these boards was calling McCarty a low life when he was dealing with substance abuse, went bankrupt because of a gambling addiction and divorced his wife.

[HankthaTank]

Sooo he's a stalker, an alcoholic, and a dirty player on the ice. I don't care what excuses he has to act like that because it shouldn't have to be anyone else's problem. f*** this guy.

Yeah, and as a Wings fan did you love McCarty and Probert and support them through their issues and hope they got better?

FAIL of a post by you. Surprised this got any positive response at all. People never cease to shock around here with this keyboard vomit.

[Majsheppard]

If I were visiting another hockey board and found a Red Wings discussion about a Detroit player with a problem, followed by some of these posts, I'd figure I were at a St. Louis Blues forum.

Shameful some of the things said here. No one hates Jordin Tootoo the player more than this guy, but I wish him nothing less than a speedy and full recovery. This is just hockey, people.

I think this is the correct sentiment. I want him to recover and have a normal life. I don't ever want to see him play hockey again though. I hate this guy and his lack of respect to other players. I think he is dirty and would rather he not be in the league.

If this is the reason he isn't then okay. I would rather it be that he is healthy and working at a car dealership or something.

I wish him the best, but I don't wish he returns to the NHL ice.

I do not think anyone's lot in life should be a determining factor in whether he should get help and succeed. McCarty, Probert, Tootoo... in my mind are no different than alot of damaged convicts and low class people who have a hard lot in life and can easily fall. I am all for a safety net for everyone and a helping hand to bring them back to respectability.

I don't however think anyone wants to help people get back to a spot higher than most people can ever achieve, and certainly when there are good people who can fill that role. I hope Jordan gets his act together, but wouldn't you rather someone like IFilpula, Matias Ritola, Meetch, or so on and so forth get that NHL spot then this guy?

Honestly if you can root for the guy to leave the league for any reason, this one could be the best. He has support, and maybe he can make his life better than ever now.

This is what I want for him. We should all want this kind of redemption for all fallen human beings. I am not saying we want people who screw up to rise to the level of president, or people like Vick to return to be MVP. I don't want that at all. I do want those people to find peace and contentment. Honestly, if they weren't looking for it, would they have started with the drugs or bad behavior in the first place?

[SouthernWingsFan]

If I were visiting another hockey board and found a Red Wings discussion about a Detroit player with a problem, followed by some of these posts, I'd figure I were at a St. Louis Blues forum.

Shameful some of the things said here. No one hates Jordin Tootoo the player more than this guy, but I wish him nothing less than a speedy and full recovery. This is just hockey, people.

Pretty much spot on.

He's one of the very few people on the ice that I don't like all that much.

But in general you want people to live normal lives and stay out of trouble outside of their line of work, and professional sports is no exception. Hopefully he's able to keep clean.