More than a few folks wrote me Thursday about a pair of columns that appeared in USA Today -- one by the normally sane Ian O'Connor, the other by the noxious Christine Brennan.
Both are silly screeds written by folks who clearly don't watch a whole lot of hockey. I could spend some time "Fisking" one or both of them, but I think it's best to leave the response, the only one we really need, to ESPN's Barry Melrose:
Those who know hockey understand that a line was crossed and that what Bertuzzi did is should never be part of the game. They are likely the same group that will use this as another argument for abolishing the instigator rule -- which gives an extra minor penalty to the player who starts a fight -- and letting the players police themselves by exacting retribution before situations like this arise.Others will be calling for an end to fighting and a move to European rules, but they likely don't watch a lot of overseas hockey. If they did, they'd see that the European game is the dirtiest in the world. Players over there engage in all kinds of stickwork -- slashing, spearing, high-sticking -- and the physical play involves kicking and the like. There is no accountability or retribution, so a dirty player can run rampant all game long without having to face justice.
And the faction that says the NHL should adopt international rules forgets that the Olympics feature the eight best teams in the world, each featuring the 20 best players from their countries. The skill level across the board is totally different and the product will be better no matter what rules they play under.
Many people who don't truly understand the game are talking right now, but they are exactly the group who should not be saying anything. The NHL is dealing with one terrible incident and will survive. Let's just hope Steve Moore's career survives.
For those who don't believe Melrose, tune in to the World Cup of Hockey in August and September. NHL rules, NHL rinks, NHL refs. And the best hockey you've ever seen.
Brennan’s column was a firable offense, in my view, because it was the latest demonstration of her basic incompetence as a writer. As for the general punditry call for banning fighting, as Eric’s post makes clear, such a ban would merely shift the violence to other methods, not eliminate it from the game. Brennan and company’s argument is typical leftist economic thinking–if you ban something, the behavior will completely cease.
Yeesh, Skip, let’s not politicize this incident–a spade is a space, my friend.
Brennan is writing about the NHL because *everybody* is writing about the NHL, but it’s clear she has no special insight on the situation. That’s it.
Melrose makes some excellent points. Thanks for the article…in addition, I am sure sooner or later we’ll find some great items for you to “fisk” where you will hop on the bait!
KEEE-rist, what is you guy’s beef with Brennan? She is the single best figure skating commentator out there.
I agree that she’s a good figure skating reporter/commentator. But she has not demonstrated as much competence at covering other sports. Nor do I object to her decision to write about any current issue in sports–USA Today hired her to be a national columnist. But when she writes a column that grounded in ignorance, I think it doesn’t serve the interests of her newspaper very well. Columnists like Brennan are one reason many people don’t respect USA Today as a publication. My point was not meant to “politicize” anything. I was simply offering my view of USA Today’s editorial decisionmaking.
Ouch.
I seriously have to question Melrose’s credibility, and wonder how many European games he has seen – ever.
I feel he, too, was talking about something he really doesn’t know anything about.