Bertuzzi gets consequences for Moore incident

Todd Bertuzzi has been suspended for the rest of the 2003-04 season, including the final 12 (13 if you count last night’s game against the Wild) regular-season games plus the entire 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs. If the Canucks do go deep into the play-offs, Bertuzzi’s suspension could be more than even Marty McSorley’s two handed slash on Brashear at GM Place in February 2000.

Bertuzzi’s elegibility for the 2004-2005 season (if there is one) will be determined by Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, before training camp. Whether Bertuzzi plays will be contingent on the progress of Steve Moore’s recovery.

Personally, Bertuzzi stands to lose more than half a million dollars in salary, not to mention the product endorsement deals this event has trashed. Already, Gatorade is talking about dumping him.

Also, thanks to heated remarks and promises of revenge made by other Canucks players and coaching staff, after Naslund was hit by Moore, the team has been assessed a fine of $250,000. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

As far as Todd Bertuzzi, I agree, the punishment does fit the crime. However, the NHL hasn’t really solved anything. Other teams recently have promised violence in retribution for perceived wrongs and received no fine and the players received no supensions. Why? No one got hurt. The only reason that things have turned out this way is due to the injury to Moore. If Moore had fallen on his side and ended up with no more than a fat lip, we would not have this to deal with this. Bertuzzi would have received a match penalty and one game for his dirty hit.

The NHL says it doesn’t condone this kind of violence, but doesn’t seem willing to take responsibility for their part in legislating the violence out of their version of the game. The league only ever reacts when someone is hurt and that always appears to be for face saving. Bottom line, violence sells tickets. It’s sad but true. A lot of the fans (myself included) enjoy the gladiator mentality to a point. When someone gets hurt it becomes ‘real’ and we’re ‘disgusted’. Hypocrisy? You betcha!

The culture of violence in hockey, especially the NHL needs another look. A solution would be to rethink the rules of the league entirely. A hard hitting, physical game base more on the International/Olympic version of hockey which is more about sportsmanship and finesse might be the way to go. You fight and you’re out.

I’ve loved watching the Olympics (especially when Canada won the gold) and, honestly, was not bored. I didn’t miss the fighting at all. I can enjoy watching hockey without violence. Can you?

In this case, I pray the Steve Moore recovers fully and goes on to have a long career in professional hockey. I hope that Todd Bertuzzi can come to terms with this event, and that he does get to play again.

Bertuzzi’s a great player, regardless of this incident. This mistake will follow him for a long time. If he is entitled to return to the game, who knows what effect it will have on his play. He is an asset to the Canucks and will definitely be missed no matter how long he’s out.

Hopefully, the Canucks can rally from this, put it behind them and go and win that cup.

GO CANUCKS GO!

UPDATES: Audio of suspension press confeerence and some comments from Brian Burke.