Here is the full text of one of Shanahan's unsealed emails to Gary Bettman, Bill Daly, and Colin Campbell.
From: Brendan ShanahanWe all know that we've talked about a time where we impose stiffer penalties for fighting so I wouldn't see this so much as reactionary but more opportunistic that the timing is right to get the support to finally say enough.
Regardless of what the specific reasons are that drove Wade to this, I think it simply goes back to concussions and brain injuries. The specific role is also becoming more specialized and more pressurized.
Some former enforcers have reached out to me and offered their support to us. They're all scared.
Fighting (light slashing) is NOT legal. There is a penalty. Unlike fightinghowever, teams don't employ "slashers" for that simple role. We could work out the details but maybe it's time to propose increases the penalty for fighting. If you fight, you get kicked out.
It's only a matter of time before the CHL and other feeder leagues do it. Let's be first. I believe it's the right thing to do.
(Source)
I admit I was braced for the worst. But now I feel like we're lucky, and Shanahan is one of the most forward-thinking people in the league.
Fighting
Kelly: Unsealed e-mails show an NHL in the midst of an existential crisis | Globe and Mail
'The "smoking gun" conversation is started by then-vice-president of player safety Brendan Shanahan. He sends league commissioner Gary Bettman a link to a story by The Globe and Mail’s Eric Duhatschek, headlined Getting rid of hockey’s goons. The piece wonders whether a more concerted effort by the league to eliminate the role of enforcer might have saved the lives of former players Rick Rypien, Derek Boogaard and Wade Belak. All three deaths have been tied to the effects – both emotional and physical – of their brutal work.'
Inside the NHL Department of Player Safety | Puck Daddy
"It could not have been a slower night. Everyone in every game we watched was on the edge of angelic, in the hockey sense. While this is great for those in Player Safety, it makes for a boring article. Instead of giving a blow-by-blow - or lack thereof - picture of night, let’s drop a little knowledge." -- Pretty cool first-person narrative of visiting player safety by Ms. Jen of Puck Daddy.
In light of NHL emails on the risks of dropping the gloves, why has the league not banned fighting? | National Post
"Reading this [email] exchange, I come to one conclusion: How in the world has the NHL, five years later, still not banned fighting?"
The NHL needs to finally put an end to the concussion debate | Globe & Mail
"What a glorious opportunity for the National Hockey League to celebrate its coming centennial in style. By 2017, the league might actually step into the 21st century."
Topical article from the PPPast:
NHL Fighting Majors At 15-Year Low | PPP
"The NHL deserves criticism for a lot of its administrative decisions, from the way it handles sexual abuse allegations, to the way it goes about changing some of its rules. But I think the league deserves some credit for fostering a drop-off in fighting that has lead to fighting being at its lowest rate in over 15 years."
Leafs News
Please note that we have a lot of stuff on the front page about young Jim Vesey, the Women's IIHF World Cup, and last night's games.
Is Nazem Kadri a Prime Example of What’s Wrong With Plus/Minus? | TOTT
"Does Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri highlight the flaws of the plus/minus rating, or does he serve as a prime example of why it works?"
Battle of Ontario Podcast — Interview with Anthony Petrielli | MLHS
Anthony Petrielli stopped by the show to talk Leafs.
Stamkos ain’t broke, so why is Cooper trying to fix him? | Fennelly
"Lightning coach Jon Cooper fiddles while Steven Stamkos burns. Wouldn’t it be easier if Cooper just drove Stamkos to the airport right now? I forget. Is Air Canada on the blue- or red-side drop-off?" -- Fennelly. Sigh. Could you not.
Yale goaltender Alex Lyon to forgo senior season, sign NHL contract | NH Register
"Alex Lyon, Yale’s first-team All-American goaltender, will forgo his senior season to sign an NHL contract, the Register has learned. At least a dozen teams have presented their case. Lyon is in the process of choosing the best offer with his family and an advisor. A decision is expected by the end of the week, but, sources said, a deal is imminent."
-- Leafs? Another goalie prospect?
Other Hockey News
NHL could throw the book at repeat offender Duncan Keith | Sportsnet
"The two-time Norris Trophy winner is perhaps the most elegant skater in the NHL and widely respected by his peers. However, there’s no doubting the Chicago Blackhawks blueliner has been at fault in a handful of dirty plays in recent years."
Patrick Roy: the modern NHL's most influential player? | Sports Illustrated
"But there is no player who has had the impact on hockey like Patrick Roy has during the last three decades. If you watch any game, on any night, you will see Roy hallmarks more than any you might associate with Orr or Gretzky, and it is not even close."
NHL Playoff Race: Red Wings, Bruins miss big opportunities | CBS Sports
"The Eastern Conference playoff race is down to three teams (Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings) fighting for two playoff spots: the second wild card spot (where all three teams have a shot), and the third spot in the Atlantic Division (Boston and Detroit)."
Uncertainty around playoff goaltending picture | TSN
"One of the curious observations about this year’s pool of Stanley Cup hopefuls is that the goaltending position isn’t exactly set in stone for a number of clubs. Yes, everyone knows that the best goaltender entering the field of 16 plays in Manhattan, but beyond that there’s a fair bit of uncertainty."
Carolina Hurricanes relocation rumors will never end, apparently | Canes Country
Today in Pack Up The Moving Vans: Quebec reportedly meets with Karmanos. WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
John Scott at peace as he nears end of his hockey journey | Toronto Star
Scott was at the ACC on Saturday when his St. John’s IceCaps lost to the Marlies. And though he’s not sure if he’ll be playing hockey next year, he certainly won’t be bored.
Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupov’s agent ‘went back and forth right to the end’ in search of trade at deadline | National Post
Yakupov for Drouin? What?
Kessel is most overrated player in NHL: Postmedia Poll | Toronto Sun
"Favourite/least favourite Canadian-based team: We combined these two because the results are hilarious. The Toronto Maple Leafs are No. 1 in both categories, meaning they’re the top love/hate club among Canadians."
Last night, Virtanen laid a hit on Roman Polak that was so bad, he was immediately ejected.
