Friday Mailbag

Arron Asham won't have to pay for being "classless."

That was his own description of his actions after a fight against Jay Beagle of the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. A joint decision by NHL executives Brendan Shanahan and Colin Campbell today, however, ruled that Asham will not face additional league sanction, either a fine or suspension.

The league is expected to issue a statement later today and warn other players that similar pantomine antics as those delivered by Asham won't be tolerated in the future. Two players, James Wisniewski and Nick Boynton, were suspended by Campbell last season for inappropriate gestures, and Trevor Gillies of the New York Islanders was suspended at least partially for standing over Eric Tangradi of Pittsburgh and taunting him after knocking Tangradi to the ice with an illegal head shot.

Apparently, however, Shanahan and Campbell have decided not to sanction Asham because players have not been specifically warned about celebratory post-fight gestures.

So another black eye for the NHL goes unpunished. That's just the way this league rolls.

Asham made the rather unfortunate decision to mock  Beagle after leaving Beagle unconcious on the ice after a fight. Rather than just skate to the penalty box, Asham chose to play to the delight of the Pittsburgh fans with a couple of gestures, including one that mimicked Beagle going to sleep.

Given that Beagle was face down in his own blood at the time, it was a terribly offensive gesture by Asham, one he quickly admitted after the game was "classless."

 

 

On one hand, it was reminiscent of Tie Domi pretending to put on a championship belt after winning a hockey fight or other silly gestures. On the other hand, given that Beagle was injured, it was truly regrettable, particularly after all the unfortunate incidents the game has had to endure in the past six months.

Last year, Campbell suspended Boynton one game for a pre-season throat-slashing gesture, then banned Wisniewski, then of the New York Islanders, for a lewd gesture towards Avery.

Did Asham's misdemeanor fall into the same category as Boynton's or Wisniewski's? Should it have?

Something to chew on, even for Leaf fans wondering who will be coming out of the lineup against Calgary on Saturday to make way for Cody Franson and when, oh when, Tim Connolly will be back from what most have concluded is a shoulder injury (given the fact the NHL embraces this silly lower body/upper body injury reporting jargon, feel free to speculate all you want about injuries.)

This is the first week of this season's hockey mailbag. Start sending in your questions on just about any subject that tickles your fancy, and I'll do my best to get to any or all of 'em.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS

Here's this week's mail bag:

Q: Damien. I've watched and heard your thoughts on hockey for the last 15 years. I have also agreed with you on most of your positions. I can't however agree that Don Cherry's recent thoughts with regards to violence and hits to the head should be pushed aside. Children from the age of 4 to 14 should not be subjected to stupidity. It has to end soon.

No hits to the head, no hits from behind.

Somebody needs to figure it out before a child gets killed.

Gary O'Neill, Toronto

A: I think Hockey Canada is the body that exerts far more control on these issues than Cherry, quite frankly, and with respect to head shots, Hockey Canada has adopted a zero tolerance policy that was overdue. It was sad to watch Cherry lament the loss of concussive head shots last week on Coach's Corner, but with respect to hits from behind, he's been a pretty strong proponent of the stop sign program, even advocating that the stop sign be moved to the back of the helmet from the back of the shoulders.

In general, I just don't see Cherry and his vaudeville show has a lot of impact on kids. They just kind of laugh at the comedy. It's adults you have to wonder about. They're almost always the ones that cause trouble in minor hockey.

Q: Clearly, Don Cherry has a business conflict of interest in promoting violence in hockey. Since 1989, Don Cherry and his son have made a small fortune in the production of Rock'em Sock'em vidoes, which cash in on and glorifiy the worst of hockey violence and fighting.

Mark Thomas, Toronto

A: I agree with you that it's a conflict. On the other hand, it's not like anyone doesn't know about it. Cherry's commercial interests are pretty much above board, and most intelligent people understand his constant pandering to the more violent aspects of the game is, to some extent, him feathering his own nest.

Cherry makes money off the bloodier parts of the game. I think we all know that, and it doesn't bother me. I mean, he honestly loves the scraps and the violence and the goons. It's not like he's making it up to make money.

Stu Grimson, now, may feel differently. Called a "hypocrite" and a "puke" by Cherry last week for reasons that still mystify, Grimson noted quite correctly in a radio interview this week that Cherry had no problem featuring him in his hockey videos when he was playing and fighting, but has now thrown him under the bus now that there's no more money to be made highlighting the exploits of "The Grim Reaper."

Q: Hi Damien. How long until the NHL starts pulling back on Shanahan? Considering there are 5-10 teams bleeding red ink, and they still pay the salary of a suspended player (into the fund) plus have to pay a call-up replacement! You have to think it could cause issues.(and conspiracy theories if the optics are that Phoenix and Florida players seem to get off easier than Leaf or Ranger players)

Ridley Wetton, Woodstock

A: I think we're going to have to sit and watch this play out. As noted, there is more on Shanahan's docket today. It's been argued that by being tough early, he has set a tone that has persuaded players to stay away from incidents that might get them suspended. We'll see.

As far as the cost to teams, I think you could argue that the cost of players injured by players who are subsequently suspended is much higher. Joe Thornton got two games, but the Blues missed David Perron for an entire year, for example. Finally, with respect to conspiracy theories, I don't really buy any of them and neither should you.

Q: Hi Damien. I am wondering if you can clarify what the NHL rule is on a player who is suspended. Can a team call up another player to replace the suspended player or does the team have to carry on with that player on their active roster. My fantasy league is expecting more and longer suspensions with Sheriff Shanahan in Town.

Richard Latendresse, Brampton

A: The player stays on the 23-man active roster. Clarke MacArthur, for instance, has been on the Leafs' active roster for the first two games of the season.

Q: Hi Damien. What is your opinion on Sean Avery? I used to have a pretty low opinion of him, but that has changed a bit over time. If he mellowed out a bit, and stopped make stupid decisions that penalized his team, could he be an effective player worth taking a chance on? He can score goals, and if he focused on it, could be a 20 goal scorer.

I guess with (Dion) Phaneuf on the Leafs, (Brian) Burke would never go after Avery, but if that obstacle were removed, could Avery be a useful (if risky) piece for the Leafs?

Arthur Bailey, Red Lake

A: For starters, no, the Leafs wouldn't be an option, and really, I don't get a sense Avery is good enough to help any team any more, but we'll see. There's no chance he can be a 20-goal scorer (he never was, not once topping 15 in the NHL) and he brings so much baggage and controversy with him (plus a significant cap hit) that he has to be very effective to make it worthwhile to have him around. I don't know Avery except as a hockey player, and I've always found his act to be pretty despicable. Whether he's mellowed, who knows? I thought his stance on gay marriage was useful and noteworthy, but that has nothing to do with the sport and doesn't do much, at least in my mind, to rehabilitate his tarnished public image.

Q: Now let me see. (Keith) Aulie who turned around Phaneuf’s season last year gets cut and Franson who has been completely marginal and (Mike) Komisarek who has been really really marginal stay! You have (John-Michael) Liles and (Jake) Gardiner who can rush the puck. (Darryl) Boyce who is a gritty grinder and (Colton) Orr stays? (Phillipe) Dupuis who falls at will stays! Monster has been marginal and (Ben) Scrivens goes! (Joey) Crabb goes, (Jay) Rosehill stays! AMAZING, Simply Amazing! I wonder who played in those last 30 games last year? Go Leafs Go! Wow!

J Man, Markham

A: I see your point, although I disagree with your assessment that Aulie "turned around" Phaneuf's season. Look, there are always roster choices to be made, and the fact is that Aulie had a poor training camp and could be sent to the minors without requiring waivers, which made it easy. Contracts - one-ways versus two-ways - and player status determine many of these moves. That's the way of the business. You don't want to have to put a guy on waivers and possibly pay him NHL money to play in the minors unless you really have to. And let's be honest. None of these players you mention are core players, and that's the life of being a support NHLer.

 

 

Comments

[80s Leafs]

Dear Jeff51, anti-Grapes petition promoter:
How many "young Canadian Hockey Players" do you truly believe take the old man in the Victorian-era clothing on Hockey Night in Canada seriously and are influenced by what he says? Your misguided petition does a disservice to the many dedicated volunteer coaches who work with these kids every week at rinks across the country.
"Dad, I think my coach is stupid, he didn't tell me to play like Don Cherry said last week on Coach's Corner!"
"Right you are, Billy! Nevermind your coach, only listen to Grapes!"
Why don't you try doing like the rest of us who enjoy Coach's Corner and have a nice grain of salt just before it comes on, and then listen to Don's rants, rather than frothing at our computers for days afterwards, dreaming up silly ways to try to get Grapes off the air?

[Banzai]

Dear People,

The issue here is in fact the fight itself. Did Beagle suffer a concussion as a result? Yes. He was knocked senseless via a bare knuckled fist flush to the jaw. The result in a nutshell is what happens when an individual is concussed. Do we all know that bare knuckled boxing was outlawed oh about a century ago? I wonder why.
The rest of Asham's actions is pure vaudeville and is neither here nor there when the sport maintains this righteous stance about protecting players against head injuries and then "legally" permits what happened as "integral to the game". Cherry will no doubt be crowing. Shame.

[Graham]

So the disgraceful thing isn't punching a guy out cold with 2 shots in front of 20,000 people, it's making the "game over and goodnight" motions after you do it?

Seriously?!?!?!

[GAry]

Give me a break. Nothing there. Asham doesn't know the guy's out. He stopped punching immediately and actually, by holding on to him, stopped him from going down hard. Moreover, if you're gonna fight and you're wearing a visor, get it off before you start throwing punches.

[Mike]

I'm a fan of a good fight but when I see this I don't know anymore. I think the power level of a modern hockey player is just too great these days.

[Kel]

This is wack!
He didn't disgrace hockey! This is like the NBA taking out trash talking, just softening up the game.

Dude (Beagle) needs to man up and get bigger for the next time they meet. The NHL needs to take off the pink underwear they're hiding underneath all that equipment. It's one of the roughest sports the wrold knows, and they cry at the sight of a man immitating his opponent who just got ROCKED?!

Soft tings!

[LetExPlayersReportSportsNews]

Really Damien?

Every time I see an article of yours it seems like the melodrama squad has come out in full force.

It was a good fight (and Asham even held on to him when he was falling). As mentioned above numerous times, he took off immediately after Beagle went down. So I highly doubt he knew how injured he was, otherwise I'm sure he wouldn't have made the gestures. Poor taste, sure... suspendable, no way.

I really wish that sports columnists/editors were all ex-players. At least they would have insight into the "feel" of the respective games at these types of moments and could report and comment in a knowledgeable fashion.

[Web Johnson]

Why do you people think this "sport" is good for your kiddies? Did you want your kiddies to grow up being goons like these clowns are? Hockey, as it is played now, is a national disgrace and makes us a laughing stock worldwide. People on other continents just shake their heads in disbelief.

[Clive P]

Fitting that this happened on the same day as Crosby's "black helmet" announcement. Do you think perhaps Sid got a call from his mother last night begging him to reconsider and retire once and for all?

[Jimmy]

I want more fighting not less, no instigator and Asham rocks, that was hilarous.

[john mctaggart]

" disgraced hockey " HARDLY! He did what was expected of him by his team, his coach and his teammates. It would be difficult, if not impossible for any one individual to "disgeace" the NHL.

[Conn Smythe]

As someone who has passionately followed (and played) hockey his whole life, I truly wouldn't care if they banned fighting outright. I would still watch hockey. As for Asham's actions, it was stupid WWE stuff with the feigning sleep actions, but by no means did he know that Beagle was hurt as bad as he was.

[Neil]

Hockey is a disgrace - What other sport allows fighting as part of the game. What kind of message are we sending to our kids. Really guys grow up !!

[j-rock]

I grew up watching and playing hockey. Even now, I continue to play in a men's league, and I never thought I would say this, but it's time the NHL banned fighting. It adds nothing to the game anymore, has been a major, if not THE major hinderance to growing the game outside of it's core demographic, and provides jobs for guys that would otherwise never set foot on NHL ice. Hockey is physical enough without it. Of course that will never happen, and the NHL will continue to remain the poor cousin of the "Big 4" pro sporting leagues.

[Taveres Richards]

Hockey has become a joke. Arron Ash**le is just the most recent example of what hockey has become...the laughing stock of sports.

[Conn Smythe]

'Hockey, as it is played now, is a national disgrace and makes us a laughing stock worldwide. People on other continents just shake their heads in disbelief.' Uh, no, hockey as it was played in the 70's was a disgrace. What is played now is nowhere near as violent as the game was in the 70's. But nice try. And as for your assertion about people on other continents are shaking their heads at us in disbelief, really, who cares what other people think?

[GaryA]

there should been no suspension at all and he called what he did a a classless act..end of story

ask the fans who actually pay to get into games what they think of fighting and while your at it ask the players if they want fighting out of hockey

for the morons who want fighting out of the game go watch woman's hockey

also if you don't like Grapes don't watch him plain and simple ffs

[gfinale]

I'm on no side, however, two important things I'd like to point out. Asham actually held Beagle up as he fell and let his head down easy onto the ice. He could have let go but he didn't. That was real though and class. Showed real respect too. Also, he slapped his stick as Beagle got up. Seems like a class act to me, at least from what I see of this incident.

[BpB]

When are we going to outlaw fighting in hockey? Can't the sport stand on its own? Today I actually heard a caller to one of the local sports stations say that he doesn't know anybody who dislikes hockey fights. I don't know what kind of friends he has but I personally don't know anybody who LIKES them and, yes, I change the channel when they happen.

[Ron]

Gee Damien, what a surprise!!! Shanahan gives out some well deserved suspensions/fines and all of a sudden old whats his name is back helping make decisions. Man this league is a joke. Been watching the NHL for close to 60 years and they can never get it right because they will not go outside the retired players circle to bring in someone with fresh ideas. On top of that they just make up the rules as they go along because the general managers many of whom, get ready for this, are ex players who cannot see the forest for the trees.What in the hell does everyone expect from them..... a little common sense maybe...good luck with that!!

[Matt]

Just repeating what some people have said, but if you actually watch the clip his actions, while stupid, are not as bad as they have been made out to be. When this was first reported I pictured him standing over a lifeless body, hamming it up. He knocks the guy down and immediately skates away, only then performing his taunt. The taunt was not directed towards Beagle, and as he never looked back he could not have known what kind of damage he had just done. The fact that Beagle received a concussion is sad and unfortunate, but Asham's actions (stupid and classless as they may be) are simply in reaction to winning a fight, not concussing a guy. It seems to me that the mimed "sleepy head" gesture was nothing more than an awful coincidence. No official punishment deserved.

[5440]

I could care less what people in other countries think about the NHL, its just fine the way it is. The Vancouver, Philly game the other night drew over 600,000 viewers and beat both baseball playoff games in numbers(and what are we?...a week into the season?). Hockeys just fine the way it is and it seems alot of people agree with me.

[Ed Palys]

Everybody is entitled to his/her opinion, including Damien Cox. Such opinions does not make one an expert, it's only a view as they see it. In this case, it seems the bully got the worst of end of the deal, nothing more. And, have people noticed how Asham protected Beagle's fall after the punch?

[Ami Angelwings]

"Hm, interesting that Grimson and the others are complaining that Cherry made money on them and now they are being thrown under the bus. How about this: they made money by being a fighter in the league but now they are more than willing to take that away from the other guys. How is this any better that Cherry?
Posted by: Peter | October 14, 2011 at 08:26 AM"

Are people who made their living doing dangerous jobs that want to change the working conditions (which would disfavour ppl willing to put their lives at risk vs ppl who might be more skilled) hypocrites?

Job conditions change all the time, and with it who employers look for. In this case, if fighting is eliminated,it opens up jobs for other players who right now are being passed over. Nobody has a RIGHT to play in the NHL, and there's nothing that says "being willing to ice box" means you have some sort of entitlement to a professional paycheque.

[Ami Angelwings]

Honestly, if you're going to fight, what's wrong with being theatrical about it? It's kind of funny that people want hockey to be like pro wrestling, but then get all upset when it does become like pro wrestling. If you're going to go down this path at least let the enforcers be characters. Let them taunt, and be the heel, or be the face. Let Jay Rosehill paint his face and give interviews implying he's from space. List Aaron Asham's birthplace on the Penguins program as "from parts unknown". If we're going to have blood sports, we might as well let the gladiators play to the crowd.

Maybe Jay Beagle can get his revenge by marrying Gary Bettman's daughter and taking over the league and pitting Asham against both Rosehill and Colton Orr.