With the high number of violent hits and suspensions during the first round of the NHL Playoffs, NHLPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr "should do what he is supposed to do first and foremost: protect the health and well-being of his players," according to Tom Jones of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Fehr should "work with the league on stiffer suspensions" instead of spending his time "bellyaching about realignment or flexing his muscles for the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations." Jones: "Don't fight on [Coyotes LW Raffi] Torres' behalf, fight on [Blackhawks RW Marian] Hossa's behalf." Fehr should "send an e-mail to every player immediately, an e-mail that says, 'Guys, enough! Stop the cheap shots. Stop the dirty hits. We are destroying ourselves!'" (TAMPABAY.com, 4/19). In Vancouver, Stephen Hume writes the problem "lies with the owners, the well-groomed suits who behave as though somehow the blood, mayhem and culture of violence down there in the arena has nothing to do with them." The "grimy buck for every brain injury, for every act of deliberate brutality, for every finesse player who gets his lights punched out by a goon, for every wrist-slap of a suspension -- that buck stops on the desks of the owners." If the owners were to "finally take responsibility for the way their employees conduct business and to hold themselves accountable for what they are selling and how it is marketed, the thuggery would stop" (VANCOUVER SUN, 4/20).
RUINING THE PLAYOFFS? In L.A., Helene Elliott writes this "should be the NHL's finest hour," but the "lasting images" so far are of Hossa, Flyers C Brayden Schenn, Red Wings LW Henrik Zetterberg and "other moments of mayhem." Elliott asks, "Is this what Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players' Assn. leader Donald Fehr want their game to be?" There is a "theory that the NHL tolerates this chaos because it's good for TV ratings." However, NBC Sports & Olympics VP/Communications Chris McCloskey said that viewership "increased before the bloodletting began in earnest" (L.A. TIMES, 4/20). In Dallas, Tim Cowlishaw writes during the first week of the postseason, "truly inspired play was marred by an over-the-top outbreak of violence that seemed like simply too much," even by the NHL’s "questionable standards" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/20). Former Islanders coach Al Arbour said the violence is "getting carried away." Arbour: "They're getting carried away with everything. They're reckless in what they're doing right now." Hockey HOFer Wayne Gretzky: "It's a little bit risque' right now, there's no question" (AP, 4/20). In Minneapolis, Jim Souhan writes at a time when "every legitimate sport is trying reduce concussions, or at least their legal liability regarding concussions, the NHL has allowed its showcase to turn into a bar brawl." The league "should be ashamed," but the NHL, "like MMA and our old, punch-drunk friend boxing, seems to be beyond shame." Bettman has "allowed his showcase to become a bloodbath" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/20).
WANT IT TO NEVER END: In DC, Dan Daly writes under the header, "Playoff Hockey Doesn't Get Much Better Than This." With the series between the Capitals and Bruins tied at 2-2, Daly asks, "Does anybody really want to see it end any sooner than it has to?" The teams have played four games -- with three overtimes "on top of that -- and neither has enjoyed more than a one-goal lead" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/20).
