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March 01, 2002
Mike Levine Is Right. .
Mike Levine Is Right. . .about the universal reaction of NHL beat writers to the surge of interest in ice hockey following the Olympics. Some of the stuff I've read is simply ridiculous, and does lead one to conclude that some sportswriters would prefer the NHL remain an exclusive club rather than develop into a mainstream sport. Where I part company with him, however, is on the subject of Theo Fleury. Once again, Fleury is going public with his concerns about NHL refs, and how they're sabotaging his game. Fleury, the leading scorer on the New York Rangers, has also picked up more than 180 penalty minutes so far this season -- a figure usually associated with goons and enforcers. Unfortunately for Fleury, he's staked his game on using his stick in interesting ways that bend the rules -- something the refs have been cracking down on this season at the league's behest. At times, Fleury is a real spark plug, and fun to watch. Perhaps he's even one of the most entertaining players in the game. But his outbursts this season have stemmed as much from a raft of unidentified "personal problems" as from any attention he's been getting from the league's referees. Levine seems to forget that Fleury spent the last quarter of last season in substance abuse rehab -- not exactly the kind of resume you want for the title of "NHL's most visible player". In addition, there are those nagging "personal problems" that nobody wants to talk about, problems that are supposedly part of the cause of Fleury's disturbing on-ice antics. Clearly, this isn't a case of a player simply being outspoken -- exactly the role Brett Hull assumed for himself. Hull is a great player, and a great quote in the locker room. The difference here is that Hull acts like an adult with some respect for the game. Sure, he sticks it to the commissioner pretty regularly, but after you score 700 goals and a win a Stanley Cup, you're entitled to do that. Before we decide to start showcasing Fleury, he's going to need to get his life, both on and off the ice, back in order. Until then, Rangers coach Ron Low needs to bench Fleury, for his own good, and the good of his team.
Eric
01:56 PM
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