November 15, 2011, Culture of Paranoia column for HockeyPrimeTime.com

Injury paranoia is depriving fans important information

Columns

Written by Denis Gorman

Monday, November 14, 2011 19:59

Controlling the flow of information makes the NHL seem like a small-time operation. While teams think controlling information is in their best interest, this culture hurts fans interested in the on-ice product. Mike Milbury stood in his normal spot Saturday night – right of Ron MacLean, left of Calgary Sun writer Eric Francis. Along with Elliotte Friedman, they were filming the Hot Stove segment of "Hockey Night in Canada," which examines NHL news and trends. After debating the Philadelphia Flyers' tactics against the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 1-3-1 trap, the quartet examined a recent story by Toronto Sun columnist Dave Feschuk in which the writer contacted the mother of Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer to discuss how her son was progressing from a head injury sustained in an overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens. Milbury turned toward MacLean and asked, “Why did he call her? Why did he call her?” before launching into character assassination. “That is such a weaselly thing to do. Go to (Maple Leafs general manager) Brian Burke and ask for the answer,” Milbury said, while suggesting that Marlene Reimer was so unsophisticated that she could not avoid answering Feschuck’s questions. “Go to James Reimer, go to Brian Burke, go to (Maple Leafs coach) Ron Wilson. They said concussion-like symptoms,” Milbury continued before terming Feschuck’s approach as “weaselly” three more times. That Milbury would assign blame to Feschuk was as predictable as the sun rising in the East and as wrong-headed as suggesting that the sun sets in the East. Milbury – for whom truth and fact seem to be annoyances on the way to padding his bank account via outrageous opinions – may want to examine the NHL’s culture of paranoia. Professional hockey at the NHL level is big business. Employment and revenues are on the line as a pressure-packed atmosphere is created and sustained. The response from coaches and executives is to control the flow of information. John Tortorella does not divulge the name of the starting goaltender the day before a New York Rangers game. The Philadelphia chapter of the Pro Hockey Writers’ Association recently fought the Flyers – and won – when the team announced that No. 1 goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov would not talk with reporters the day before a game or the day of a game. In the wake of Reimer's injury, Wilson said “last time I checked I don’t have a medical degree and I don’t think that The Monster has one, either,” when informed that goalie Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson suggested that Reimer suffered a concussion. Other franchises will obfuscate the truth into a narrative that is pleasing to the organization. The lengths that the league and its 30 franchises go to in controlling news – as if what takes place with the Columbus Blue Jackets on a daily basis is akin to defending state secrets – is equal parts hilarity and insanity. Until, of course, it affects the consumer. Then it is neither amusing nor lunacy. Then it is something else entirely: Fraud. The dominant story in the first two months of the season has been Sidney Crosby’s recuperation from post-concussion symptoms. The sport’s pre-eminent player was the recipient of two head shots from then-Washington Capitals center David Steckel and Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman in a four-day span in January. Crosby was diagnosed with a concussion on Jan. 7 and has not played in a game since. By not unequivocally stating Crosby's status one way or the other – say, at the beginning of each week – the Penguins are unintentionally birthing unfettered conjecture. Crosby practiced with his teammates during that time, which fueled speculation that he could return for the 2010-11 playoffs. When that did not happen, the thinking was that he could make a triumphant return in 2011-12. Crosby, the Penguins, and his doctors held a press conference Sept. 7 to address his status and to refute the retirement rumors that were running around hockey circles. Since then, there has been almost complete silence from the Penguins and Crosby. He continues to practice with the team but they are correctly leaving the determination as to when he returns up to Crosby. Still, by not unequivocally stating Crosby’s status one way or the other – say, at the beginning of each week – the Penguins are unintentionally birthing unfettered conjecture. Last week, popular thinking had Crosby returning Friday against Dallas. Neither the Penguins nor Crosby said he would play that game. Nevertheless, 18,585 spent part of their evening inside Consol Energy Center watching the two teams. Some may have planned to go to the game, Crosby’s status notwithstanding. But how many people purchased tickets to see Crosby? Do those people feel like they were suckered? We’ll never know. So, no, Mike, journalists asking questions of sources that have not been vetted by the NHL and its 30 franchises is not “weaselly.” It never has been and never will be. On Twitter: @HockeyPrimeTime and @DenisGorman Photo by Getty Images

Last Updated on Monday, November 14, 2011 22:14

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