Bettman to us: We're biased. That explains everything. And anything.

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OK, I know the Auger-Burrows story has driven the news for more than a week. But our positions are all pretty clear. I want to find my happy place again. Can, as Alain Vigneault implored, we just move on? Not when commissioner Gary Bettman pours gas on the dying embers tonight in Edmonton when he was asked by our Brad Ziemer about the NHL’s handling of the case. The short and not-so-sweet version: the commish thinks Auger got all his calls correct, the league  moved swiftly to rebuke Burrows’ allegations so complaining about the referee wouldn’t become a “tactic,” and all this rancor and hostility is due only to Canuck partisanship out west. I try to like Gary. He doesn’t believe that, but I do. I know he’s as popular out here as the HST and Parti Quebecois, and that a lot of animosity towards him is because he’s a New York lawyer and we grow up amid the inescurity of western alienization. He’s done a lot of good for the NHL. But partisanship? That’s the explanation? Of course, there’s partisanship. Unlike some of the NHL’s southern markets, we care passionately about our game. But if that’s grounds for dismissal of this incident, isn’t it for everything? Any story that erupts, any scandal, injustice or worse that occurs can be blithely explained away as partisanship. This exceptionally rare issue deserved a better explanation just as it warranted a more thorough investigation. And not to prove Burrows’ case, but to prove the NHL’s own — that the league values its competitive credibility above all else, and that this hinges on the impartiality of its officials, and that any accusation against it supported by the circumstantial evidence surrounding this one warrants an exhaustive investigation, if only to show everyone how much the league cares about its integrity. The league failed a glorious opportunity to get ahead of this story.

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  • saverai says:

    To me there appears to be some kind of conspiracy in the NHL media (CBC) and upper echelons. I say this because:- 1.When Burrows in the third period in the game against Nashville Predators, positioned himself in front of the goalie to deflect the puck to score his third hat tricks in four games, referee Augur called the penalty to prevent him from scoring. For all our eyes can see there were no infraction of any sort by Burrows. Then why the call, what was the motive? 2.On Saturday in the 11-minute segment by Hockey Night In Canada host Ron MacLean was spent detailing with the pretention of Burrows injury and what was said by Burrows to trainer Michal Bernstein“ don’t worry has he signaled 5 yet?” How did Ron MacLean hear the audio sound? Above all why did he broadcast 11 minutes disgracing Burrows? What was the motive? Going back to the audio sound above, if they can hear the sound in this tape they can also hear the sound in the tape that shows the conversation between Burrows and Augur. Why wouldn’t they publish it? This is why I think Commissioner Bettman should call for the public inquiry to determine exactly what was said by referee Augur and take corrective actions to set things right and thereby upholding the integrity of NHL and hockey in general. My theory of conspiracy is that they do not want Burrows to achieve the highest ranking as a player. Burrows has the acute talents, he has excellent peripheral vision, fantastic hand eye coordination, quickness and agility like a lobster claws, guts and courage and presence of mind, the talents which made the Wayne Gretzky the great one.

  • Carl says:

    There can be very little doubt that this incident is just the tip of the iceburg. I would not be surprised to hear of betting and point shaving down the road. And what about Malkin’s dirty hit on Mitchel that caused him to miss games. Perhaps someone at the NHL does not want Malkin to miss games and change the odds? Interesting to say the least.

  • nancy says:

    With so many much bettings online now a day, the integerity of the game is seriously in question. Bravo for Burrows to speak up!!!

  • Todd says:

    If the league has so much integrity, then how do you explain the inordinate number of years the canucks are in the top few most penalized teams in the league? How do you explain that as you move time zones futher west of New York, that you get more penalties? Personally I think Bettman wishes to get the west coast teams as low down the totem pole as possible so there are fewer home games for them in the playoffs…and maybe even an early exit.

  • Stars Fan says:

    Contrary to popular belief there are a lot of people in “southern markets” who are passionate about the game and its integrity. Additionally, it seems obvious to me that Auger was just as much in the wrong as Burrows and put himself and the league in a terrible position by even speaking to Burrows prior to the game. And I’m glad Burrows brought it to the media. This is something that probably happens on a fairly regular basis and without him making a scene would have been swept under the rug. Brendan Morrow was on the local sports station here for his weekly show and brought up some good points regarding the situation. Worth a listen. (should be on the stars site)

  • Auger says:

    A very simple solution is for the Canucks to just play their game , keep on winning and boycott CBC media and pay the fine.

  • Line Juggler says:

    A tiger won’t change his stripes, neither will a zebra. Whether or not the Cheetah changes his spots is left to be seen.