NHL Bad Boys Return

February, Ray Emery can only hope, will include a lot less attention on he and his tardy ways.

And there will be other, ahem, troubled folks to watch. Or at least begin watching again.

On Thursday, Phoenix assistant coach Rick Tocchet returns to the Coyotes bench for the first time in more than two years after being targetted by Operation Slapshot just prior to the Torino Olympics. He eventually pleaded guilty to gambling felony charges.

Tocchet has paid a significant debt, and one can only hope he returns not bitterly suggesting he was wrongfully prosecuted but rather hoping to be forgiven for injuring the image of the game.

He's a good coach. Whether he'll now ever have the chance to be an NHL head coach, something he was on track to become before Operation Slapshot, will be intriguing to watch.

Two weeks after that, on Feb. 21, the Islanders are expected to welcome back enforcer Chris Simon from his 30-game suspension incurred after he stomped Pittsburgh's Jarkko Ruutu with his skate blade. Hard to say whether the 35-year-old forward will have learned any lessons this time, particularly since he's been suspended over and over and over during his long NHL career without any sense he has ever been inclined to alter his on-ice behavior.

The Isles are in a tough battle for a playoff spot, and they'd tell you Simon can make a sizeable difference, although its worth noting Ted Nolan's club made its successful, last minute charge for a post-season berth without Simon, at that time suspended for trying to separate Ryan Hollweg's head from his body.

Both Tocchet and Simon have, in different ways, stained the game, despite the fact both men have legions of supporters willing to attest to the quality of their characters.

Now they both get another chance. Don't blow it, gentlemen.

Comments

[Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan]

Once again, Toronto fans prove they are Laff fans, and nothing more. Hockey fans? Not on your life.

Mr. Cox finally does a non-Leaf blog and not one person comments on it. If this had been about the favourite flavour of coffee Sundin likes, 15 people would have commented.

Laff fans get exactly what they deserve, a horrible team, year after year. It is the fault of the fans to not hold the organization accountable. But that accountability cannot, will not happen when the fan base is so utterly clueless and/or apathetic about any hockey matters outside of the ACC.

Last night, I begged and pleaded with the bartender to put the Ottawa/Montreal game on one TV with the Laff's on the other 5 in the bar.

Naturally, most Laff fans were still intent on watching the fights in an 8-0 game rather than the intense last 5 minutes of the Ottawa/Montreal game.

Hockey cretins all of them.

[mark]

'Hockey Fan...' what a useless rant that was. Guess what, if you live in Southern Ontario, you are going to be force fed Leafs whether you like it or not. You are a cretin for not figuring that out by now. As for lack of comments on Damien's article, I don't see where a goon like Simon returning to the league or Tocket's return is 'intriguing' (Damien's over used hyperbole, not mine). Who cares? There is a lot more interesting things to write about than those two clowns. Even your rant doesn't really touch on Damien's topic... you're just using it as a platform to spew your hate-on for the Leafs and their fans. Get a life.

[Jon]

Neither one of these two have been missed during their absence. Why doesn't the NHL just rid the league of these clowns? Surely their are enough up and coming coaches and players that could fill the shoes of these jerks in a minute!

[Doug]

Will someone explain to the million+ fans of the leafs why the most successful and profitable team in the NHL have not won the cup in 40 years??

If this team was in any other city the fans would boycott the games and stay away in order to send a message to management!! But they never had Harold Ballard and the many clowns that followed after him to the present ones, Richard Peddie and the Teacher's Pension Fund.

However, remeber this is a business. This Leaf team is a product. A product that continually fails, not only to the satisfaction of the consumers but is not even strong enough to compete with their competition. Knowing this, ask yourself, why would you spend any money towards improving the product when consumers continue to fork over the high costs to watch them and purchase many of their byproducts People are standing in line to buy the overpriced tickets and the team sells out night after night. Sure people complain but the owners are LAUGHING at us all the way to the BANK.

Oh, and buy the way. The owners will be increasing the tickets again for the 2008/09 season. This is to show how thankful they are for your loyalty as they go to an all new low.

It looks like if we want a winning team we will have to cheer for Montreal for the many years that come.

[Monica Wilson]

Hi Damien

My family lives in Vermont, but we are all die-hard Leaf fans. We've watched every Leaf game on TV (thanks to the Center Ice Package) and can't help but be impressed by the way Paul Maurice handles himself. He says all the right things and handles the media like a pro. He appears to be an excellent strategist. Despite all of this, the team just isn't performing, even when he mixes up the lines or when a number of fresh, energetic all-stars are called up to play.

Do you have any thoughts on this? What are the chances that Leaf management will keep Paul Maurice on as head coach for next season?

[Rich]

Interesting that the previous comment is about the Leafs even when the blog is not. That must have been one die-hard Leafs fan to post about his favourite team, even when they have nothing to do with the blog he is commmenting on.

[Rosemary]

What was the league thinking to allow a goon like Chris Simon back in the game? Does he have to paralyze or kill someone before they come to their senses? Since he has been suspended over and over again in his career.....how about 3 suspensions and you are OUT!! Try thinking of the other players safety for a change.
And Tocchet back after pleading guilty to gambling. Different rules apply here..........Pete Rose got sacked for gambling. Next we'll hear that Tocchet is a candidate for the Hockey Hall of Fame!!!