The Golden Gamble?

For starters, Wayne Gretzky didn't exactly put out the fire last night.

Not that he could have.

His comments pertaining to the Rick Tocchet gambling mess after his Coyotes lost another one, 5-1 to Dallas last night, reflected more exasperation than an intent to set the record clear:

"Well, before I start first of all I want to say that first and foremost I’m not going anywhere. I am still going to coach the Phoenix Coyotes.

I did nothing wrong, or nothing that has to do with anything along the lines of betting; that never happened.

I’m going to Italy on Sunday to be with Team Canada and be a part of the Olympic games. . .I’ve felt like the last three days I’ve defended myself over something that absolutely, unequivocally, I was not involved with. . .In saying all that I hope you appreciate that the last three days have been horrible. I’m just too tired mentally and physically to talk anymore about it.”

Whether he could have said more, or that his wife, Janet, is going to have to say a lot more to clear the family name, is open to debate. Certainly, Gretzky is going to need to explain at some point what he knew, and when he knew it. His initial comments, that he "wasn't involved," were at least disingenous and probably evasive, and ultimately, he's going to have to do a lot better than he did last night.

But No. 99 is going to Turin, and, based on what we know, he damn well should be.

I mean, who is honestly willing to argue Wayne Gretzky is not a good representative for Canada at the Winter Olympics? We are, after all, sending Todd Bertuzzi, and gosh, I'm so very proud of that. Can't imagine Steve Moore is going to enjoy watching Canada's games very much.

That said, there are those who would already argue that Gretzky going to Turin could prove to be a huge distraction for Team Canada.

Always love that one. It suggests that NHL players compete in a bubble, never thinking about anything else than their love of the game and determination to win Stanley Cups and gold medals. It suggests they are such delicate creatures that getting the wrong kind of dressing on their salads will plunge them into a day-long funk and make it impossible for them to perform.

Baloney. These guys are professionals who deal with "distractions" every day of the week, from bumps in their private lives to ongoing business deals to organizing vacations for their families to getting their cars fixed.

Do you really believe Joe Sakic, or Martin Brodeur, or Chris Pronger is suddenly going to get knocked off their game because Ol' Wayne has some problems back home?

Not a chance. See, what's happening to Gretzky isn't happening to them, and unless there's a player or two who have a betting connection with Tocchet, you can imagine they've spent the last few days watching with detached bemusement as leaks, speculation and rumour have run rampant.

They may at some point find it to be a pain in the ass, but they're not losing a wink of sleep over it. Sakic looked just fine scoring the winner against Minnesota last night. Brodeur was brilliant with 37 saves against Boston. Goodness gracious, even Kris Draper managed to find the net for only the fourth time this season last night against Nashville, putting him only 30 behind Team Canada reserve Eric Staal.

Sure, the media heat could be white-hot by the time Team Canada rolls into Italy with Gretzky at the helm. But it was going to be like that anyway, particularly with Canada going in as defending champs and favorites to win again. In fact, if Gretzky were to stay home, the players would be left a lot more uncomfortable having to deal with questions and issues about something with which they likely have absolutely no knowledge.

The absence of Scott Niedermayer, the adjustment to a higher calibre of play by Bryan McCabe or the continuing struggles of 2004 Hart Trophy winner Martin St. Louis could impact Team Canada, but "Operation Slap Shot" isn't likely to, not unless there is a revelation coming in the next day or so which puts the entire affair in a much different light.

This tournament will be won or lost by the players, primarily, with the assistance of the coaching staff.

The controversy swirling around Gretzky over the activities of his banished assistant coach and the betting habits of his wife won't influence whether Canada comes home with gold. So let's not set it up as an easy excuse going in.

Comments

[Ian Dudgeon]

good points Mr. Cox.

Gretzky will probably lose it a few times after the media drive him nuts with questions and it will be hard on him unless he basically hides the entire time, but if Canada has problems this year it's going to be all about some of the questionable player choices made.

Fortunately, Ken Hitchcock is on board and he knows how to identify and use players so their weaknesses aren't exposed.

[Christopher]

Gretzky should do the right thing as should the rest of the coaching staff ... they should step aside and a new coaching staff should be hired.
If Gretzky is to be found guilty his name should be removed from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
As of right here right now. Gretzky is only accused so every1 just ... RELAX.
The Great One ... may live up to that name ... when the fat lady is done singing this ''sad song''.
Oh my, #99 say it ain't ''so''. I don't hear you, lol.

Christopher

[Stephen Connolly]

In today's column Mr. Cox you say that "at most" Wayne Gretzky exercised bad judgment in tolerating Tocchet's activities. The man is accused of running a muti-million dollar sports book while on Gretzky's staff. According to the State of New Jersey the "Great One's" assistant coach is a bookie. And the leaked wire-taps show that he knew of and tacitly tolerated this activity.
Have we lost sight of misconduct by ommission? As soon as a whiff of potentially illegal, and certainly compromising, gambling had infiltrated his organization Gretzky should have publicly cleaned house and he did not.
"At most" Gretzky could be implicated as an accessory in an illegal gambling ring with links to organized crime. He could potentially serve time if he sticks to spin-control denials before a grand jury.

[Roberto]

Mr. Cox, I firmly believe the media and the print media in particular have been at least irresponsible and more accurately despicably sensational in this whole Tocchet, not Gretzky, fiasco.
For Wayne Gretzky's reputation to be damaged in any way, based on an unconfirmed report by a newspaper claiming he was wiretapped trying to cover up his wife's involvement, and to have this alleged "information" to be "reported", is not exactly textbook journalism.
I believe Mr. Gretzky has earned the right to have the benefit of the doubt with the Canadian public, and more specifically the print media to whom he has always been respectful and accomodating.
To have this same media report unsubstantiated allegations is shameful.
Let's wait for the facts to unfold before passing judgement.

[Stephen Connolly]

Re Roberto: Those "unsubstantiated allegations" you complain of did not originate with the Canadian press but with the Newark Star-Ledger, the newspaper of record in New Jersey. The leak, almost certainly, came from State of New Jersey officials involved in "Operation Slapshot." There's no shame attached to journalists doing their job by citing credible sources.

[Jlo]

What's with all the "Mr. Cox"? It's the internet, we be informal here. I don't think, from what I've read, Damien Cox is one to stand on ceremony.

My take on Gretzky: boring. Who cares what hockey players (or their wives) do with their millions. They can bet on Jose Theodore's hair length for all I care. Let's talk about something else. Like Heather Moyse and the bobsled!

As for Theo: probably he is not lying, but it just sounds so bad. The story is almost as ridiculous as Dieter Baumann's "somebody spiked my toothpaste." I guess that hair product works, though, because he's got a nice do.

[jons]

I see absolutely no reason for Gretzky to step aside. Recent news reports put the wiretap of Gretzky as happening only a few days ago. "Misconduct by Ommission"? Please. I don't know everything my friends are up to, and neither do you. He's been tried and found guilty by no one other than the media, and the pedantic yahoos above don't know the first thing about it other than several scurrilous and unsubstantiated reports. We're letting journalists determine the guilt or innocence of Canadians? Whatever else you can say about Gretzky, he's always answered his country's call. It would be nice if his country had a little faith in return. Do what you are supposed to be doing Gretzky-- helping us win Olympic gold and ignore the whispering campaign attempting to undermine your spirit.

[Rick Baldesarra]

Dear Damien:
I frequently read your columns and usually agree with your shared thoughts. In this case, I believe Wayne's decision whether or not to go to Torino should have been based on the decision he made with regards to walking in the opening ceremonies the first time the team went over. He believed the team should walk with all the other athletes and should remain in the village with them as well instead of opting for "superstar" status and remaining in hotels like the Americans had done. In other words, according to him, he believed that it was about the Olympic Spirit and comeraderie....together as one competing together for the country of Canada. The spotlight should remain upon the amateur athletes, specifically those who train for years with little money and without notice in order to gain notoriety in their sport by winning a medal. Gretzky knew then and should know now that that is what the Olympics it's all about. The media frenzy takes away from all of that- not the hockey team!!! Now he's going over there, not alone but with the very one who has done the wrong as far as we know up to now...his lovely wife. Yes, make a wrong choice and get a vacation as penance. Going alone would have been bad enough, but taking his wife is not wise in this case. Ah Wayne, how we want to hear from you! Please let our Canadian athletes compete and get the notoriety they so deserve!
Thanks,
Rick Baldesarra
Woodbridge, Ontario