Among the ups and downs of the hockey world, Adam Proteau discusses an AHL coach who was suspended 10 games, the San Jose Sharks playing more exciting hockey and more.
The San Jose Sharks got seven of a possible 12 points on their six-game road trip, which is a step up for the NHL's last-place team.Welcome back to the newest edition of THN.com’s Plus Minus, a regular web feature in which we hand out pluses to positive news items in the hockey community, as well as a couple of minuses for not-so-positive news items. Let’s get to it:
MINUS: AHL Coach Suspended for Homophobic Language
The AHL announced Tuesday that Chicago Wolves coach Bob Nardella has been suspended for 10 games due to his outburst in a Dec. 9 game that targeted league officials and allegedly included homophobic remarks.
“The American Hockey League is committed to building a culture that is safe, inclusive and free from abuse, harassment and all forms of unethical behavior or misconduct,” the AHL said in the announcement of Nardella’s suspension, which will keep him on the sidelines until Jan. 6.
Ten games – more than 10 percent of a regular season – is certainly a heavier punishment than Nardella would’ve received if the incident had happened decades ago, but it’s completely justified in this case. Under no circumstances is it permissible to speak or act in a bigoted manner in pursuit of a victory in what is still only a game. The AHL is doing the right thing here by making it crystal clear this type of behavior has absolutely no place in hockey.
Nardella must earn back respect after this, and anyone who makes comments similar to what Nardella is alleged to have said is on notice – repeat this crud, and you’re going to pay for it.
Update (Dec. 13): Nardella released a statement saying he firmly denies that he made a homophobic remark. "I want to state clearly that I condemn any form of homophobic language or conduct," said his statement. He also said that he accepted that he lost his temper and regrets it, but he denies that he said what he's accused of saying.
PLUS: San Jose Sharks Seem Slightly Scarier
It’s been a solid stretch for the San Jose Sharks – they're still not a great team, but they're no longer a laughingstock.
Since Nov. 22, they’ve gone 5-2-2 and defeated strong teams such as Vancouver, Washington, New Jersey, Detroit and the New York Islanders.
The Sharks are still mired in last place in the Pacific Division, but their relative hot streak has pushed them just one standings point behind the abysmal Anaheim Ducks for the seventh spot. We all know this year would be tough for the Sharks, but nobody thought they’d be as bad as they were out of the gate, and this newfound resolve they’ve had of late has restored some pride in the lineup and in the stands.
GM Mike Grier has set his vision for a fully restored Sharks organization. While he’s ultimately focused on the organization's future, he still must figure out a way not to sour every San Jose player on the experience of being through a full rebuild. And when the Sharks responded with some pluck and passion, they took some of the focus off that terrible start to the year and put it on themselves in a positive way.
MINUS: Disappointing Blues Have Rough Week and Repercussions Ensue
The St. Louis Blues had a 0-3-0 record this past week, dropping games to basement-dwellers in Chicago and Columbus, as well as getting steamrolled 6-3 by the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights.
The Blues are now sixth overall in the Central Division, just three standings points ahead of seventh-place Minnesota, and once again, St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong is showing he’s not afraid to make roster moves even when the team is not in a position of strength.
First, Armstrong traded veteran defenseman Robert Bortuzzo to the New York Islanders for a seventh-round draft pick. Then, on Tuesday, Armstrong waived winger Jakub Vrana, who has four points in 19 games, with a $5.25 million contract that essentially makes him untradeable.
Vrana may get another shot with the Blues before the season concludes, but Armstrong obviously is dissatisfied with his team’s performance, and Bortuzzo and Vrana are now the first in what may be many more changes. Indeed, if the Blues don’t right the ship soon, it may not be long before Armstrong considers the type of bigger moves he made last season when St. Louis was well out of playoff consideration.
PLUS: Sabres Commentator Rob Ray a Pro's Pro After Taking Puck to Face
Buffalo Sabres TV commentator Rob Ray was one of the toughest NHLers in the league as a player. On Monday night, he showed people he can still take a hit and keep on ticking. While working between the benches in Buffalo’s home game against Arizona on Monday, Ray was struck in the face by a puck, busting him open before trainers treated him.
But if you thought Ray would leave his position to deal with the injury, you’d be wrong. Instead, he continued his job calling the game, showing a great deal of professionalism. Ray could've easily bowed out but plowed through like a pro's pro. Kudos to him for his resolve.