Bertuzzi reinstated

[Andoy 5]

don't have a direct link but go to www.tsn.ca or any of the other major sports websites and it's true! Welcome back Bert.

[mik3 1]

With the news of Moore being better I feel this is the move that had to be made.

He's sat at home for a year and a half to think about his actions, no one is dumb enough to repeat that after all this.

[jjtt99 0]

http://www.nhl.com/news/2005/08/232342.html

I actually thought he'd get more games, but then again the incident took place 18 months ago, so regardless of the lock out, it's been the NHL's longest suspension ever.

I can understand the argument that it was only 13 games, but he did miss a World Cup, two World Championships and a chance to play in Europe.

Anyway, we've already argued this from all sides, now I wonder what kind of player Bert will be when he's back?

a.) A better player than before?

b.) Continue the scoring slump he was in before the incident?

c.) Scared to play aggressively?

d.) Be the team's next enigma where you don't know what you're gong to get on any given day?

My vote is for option D -- the enigma.

Good luck Moore, good luck Bertuzzi. You both deserve a second chance.

JJ

[ponty 0]

Oh good now we can have the debate YET AGAIN!

[jbyun04 7]

YES HE'S BACK :lol:

[Sven 1]

Good luck Moore, good luck Bertuzzi. You both deserve a second chance.

You said it best, man.

[denverbronco86 0]

The Canucks versus Avs games on the 22nd and the 27th of October will have a strange energy, hopefully the necessary steps are taken to ensure that no Piston vs. Pacer type antics ensue in the arenas.

There are good fans of both teams which make up the majority, but unfortunately there are also jackasses, hopefully there'll be enough security to keep the latter in line in both arenas.

The most good I expect to come out of this incident would be the foundations for an intense rivalry between the teams, hopefully the addition of May to the Avs will intensify this, as long as no one gets hurt. I don't know Bertuzzi, so I don't know what change his penalty might have induced within him, I just want an exciting Northwest Division again.

I find myself unclear on the term of Bertuzzi's probation stating that he can't play in a game in with Moore, as I can't find any article specifying how long that provision would last, or if it included the playoffs?

Mainly this entire situation makes me wish Gary Bettman was a CPA working out of his mother's basement and that he never became involved with hockey...

Bettman also said Bertuzzi "is on notice that he will be held strictly accountable to a higher standard than other NHL players for his on-ice conduct."

That's from Frei's article in today's post. I guess I'm not understanding why every NHLer wouldn't be held to the highest possible standard?

[Bane 1]

With the news of Moore being better I feel this is the move that had to be made.

He's sat at home for a year and a half to think about his actions, no one is dumb enough to repeat that after all this.

Too bad it is apparently just a rumor that Moore has been cleared.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp...808_164331_3076

[Tanner23 0]

I vote option D but at this point it is hard to tell

[jjtt99 0]

A Vancouver newspaper reported that Bertuzzi spoke to Bettman when he was golfing and Bert told Betty to "Hold on a sec" took his shot then finished the conversation! Yikes! :o

[ponty 0]

The reality folks is that before this incident Bert was not like around the league by many players. This is fact.

I will close my comments by saying karma's a bitch.

[2-Keys 1]

i would have to vote D on that.

[Cannon12 0]

Just to play the devils advocate for a moment, Bettmans trying to re-establish hockeys good name, right? Now, people come out to see Bert play right? He puts people in the seats. Moore doesn't. Welcome to Bettmans world, all about the $$$.

[jjtt99 0]

Bertuzzi makes his first public statements since his reinstatement:

http://www.canucks.com/theinsider/default....ionID=5&id=1269

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=133596

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2134946

Interesting he did it surrounded by "Team Canada" and not the NHL or Canucks. In my opinion, a smart move from a public relations perspective.

JJ

Edit: Interesting that ESPN had a decent perspective.

[Chadd 916]

The fact he's acting as though he's a victim as well leads me to believe that he still doesn't accept responsibility for his actions.

  "I've made my attempts and am still going to try, but I can't change someone else's mind-set on me."

"I m sure just like Steve Moore and his family, it's been difficult for both parties. I know I wish that day never happened," he said. "It's been some tough times, but I've got good family and good friends and good peers in the league that have helped me get over the hump and move forward and come through it."

[Kobe 0]

I think you're taking it out of context Chadd. I watched the press conference live and both of those answers were from direct questions. The first question was something along the lines of 'We haven't heard of any public apologies. Were there any attempts to make one?'. The reporter challenged him in asking why there were no public apologies so he gave him a direct answer. Todd said right away that he did but then his agent stepped in and said that they tried 10 times to reach him through his people and the Colorado Avalanche organization without no responses. He just wanted to set the record straight that he did try. Bert then said that he understands that Steve isn't ready to talk to him yet but that he's still going to try to contact him.

The second question came from I think some guy or girl from CP (Canadian Press) who asked him to please explain the emotions that he felt during the 17 months and the kind of support/responses that he was getting from people and the players. The question was framed to be somewhat victimizing so I can't see him answering any differently than the way he did. He said that he felt remorse and that's pretty much all that he could have said. He can't speak for Moore or how he's feeling.

[Chadd 916]

Since I didn't watch the PC, all I have to go on are the articles and the sound bites that I have heard. The part about saying Moore isn't ready to talk but he's going to try anyway is either a lie or proof he's as dumb as a box of rocks. Moore has filed a lawsuit against him, the last thing he should do is continue to try and contact a guy who has no interest in speaking to him.

The clips I heard were of him reading his statement. There was no emotion at all and you can tell he had nothing to do with writing it.

[hockechamp14 0]

everyone makes mistakes, bert foked himself and moore. It's time to move on.