Wings To Appeal Suspension Of Players Who Missed All-Star Game

Lidstrom (l), Datsyuk (r) Will Miss Next Game After Sitting Out All-Star Weekend

EXCUSED ABSENCE? NHLPA Exec Dir Paul Kelly said that he "disagreed with the NHL policy." Kelly: "The question we ask is: Is it good for the game and is it good for the fans?" (Montreal GAZETTE, 1/24). NHLPA Dir of Player Affairs Glenn Healy said the rule is "not good for hockey and it's not good for the fans." But Ducks G Jean-Sebastien Giguere supported the rule, and said, "It's our duty as players to help promote the league as much as we can. We have to try to increase revenues" (CP, 1/23). In a special to the CALGARY HERALD, former NHLer Theo Fleury wrote, “On a weekend that is supposed to be a showcase for the league we have a whole bunch of guys deciding to skip it? What a joke.” Fleury: “When are these guys gonna figure out this game is for the fans and the people who pay the freight?” (CALGARY HERALD, 1/24).

AN ICY SITUATION: In Denver, Terry Frei wrote the league's stance is "understandable and even admirable." But the NHL "should have done a better job of codifying the standards and making sure they're well-known and understood -- including by the players." Kelly: "It almost appears like we're making up the rules as we go here" (DENVER POST, 1/25). In N.Y., Larry Brooks wrote the NHLPA and "myriad players are apparently aghast that the commissioner is enforcing his edict, but no one should blame Bettman." Canucks GM Mike Gillis: "I'm gratified to see that the commissioner is following through on this. What's the point of having a policy if it isn't going to be enforced?" (N.Y. POST, 1/25). But the GLOBE & MAIL's Jeff Blair writes Bettman and Campbell have "damaged the integrity of the game by doing something that could cost the Wings in the standings" (GLOBE & MAIL, 1/26). In Detroit, Drew Sharp wrote Bettman should "better ensure that the starting lineups are more representative of the game's premier players," but he would "rather punish them instead" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/25).

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