By now, most of you are aware that Rick Tocchet is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow in a New Jersey court for his participation in an illegal gambling ring. For Tocchet, who would probably like to get back behind the bench in Phoenix with Wayne Gretzky, these are most likely very stressful times.
Over at FanHouse, I write that things aren't looking good for Tocchet to get his old job back given what's happening elsewhere -- including some activity behind the scenes where the league is lobbying Congress in conjunction with the other major sports and the NCAA on Internet gambling:
Sports betting is incompatible with preserving the integrity of American athletics. For many decades, we have actively enforced strong policies against sports betting. And the law on this point is consistent. Federal statutes bar sports betting, especially the 1961 Wire Act and the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Enforcement of these laws against sports betting was also a significant motive for enacting the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA).
That's from a letter all four leagues and the NCAA sent Congress. If you're Tocchet, it's not a good sign.
After setting up the story, Greg Wyshynski and Jes Golbez do the point/counterpoint dance on whether Tocchet deserves another shot behind the bench. Here G-Dub:
It's been established that the gambling ring Tocchet, James Harney and James A. Ulmer operated did not include wagering on NHL games, and that NHL players are allowed to (legally) bet on anything but hockey in the eyes of the league. But that shouldn't matter, nor should the sentence Tocchet is expected to receive on Friday in a New Jersey court: The NHL needs to suspend this man indefinitely for what he has done, and could have done, to the integrity of the game.
And Jes:
Tocchet will, however, face the possibility of a suspension from the NHL, which would bar him from such employment. Given how NBA ref Tim Donaghy was found to have helped fix games, there is a lot of pressure for the NHL to suspend Tocchet in a bid to save face for the league.To that, I say 'rubbish'. Let the man work, if the Coyotes want him. Does anyone outside of the media and law enforcement really care about this case? Do you care that Tocchet was organizing some sports betting among some rich folks with money to burn?
An interesting question. Please check it all out.
