Nick Kypreos

I've never liked his commentary and last night was no exception. The hot topic tonight is the suspension of Maple Leafs' forward Mark Bell. Bell was suspended 15 games for his "off-ice" conduct which included impaired driving.



Kypreos felt that this suspension was unwarranted. He argued that there are only two reasons that you would suspend a guy. First, to make a guy pay a price and, second, to make a guy change his behaviour. He argued that Bell has already served a price, and a big one to boot. Bell will have to serve 6 months in jail once the NHL season is over. He also had to attend the NHL's substance abuse program.

As for his second point, he argued to say that there is no point in trying to change the behaviour of Mark Bell. Mark Bell has become a clean, sober and respectable individual. Kypreos is obviously upset with Gary Bettman, the NHL's commissioner, for more than just this issue. Kypreos mentions that Bettman is simply getting on the get-tough bandwagon. Roger Goodell of the NFL has had to suspend Michael Vick for dog-fighting charges and Adam "Pac-man" Jones for "making it rain".

Bettman is trying to set an example for the rest of the league. That is also another reasont to suspend a guy. There should be no tolerance in the NHL for the behaviour of Mark Bell or anyone that even thinks that this may be a good idea. Drinking and driving is not cool. Mark Bell should be thankful that he is allowed to play in the NHL.

The most frustrating part of Kypreos' comments had to stem from the reference to the Dany Heatley scenario. Since Dany Heatley killed a man with his driving and he got no suspension, Mark Bell should not have received a suspension. This is absolutely false. First, Dany Heatley was not drunk behind the wheel. Although his actions were idiotic and perhaps warranted a mild suspension, similar to Mark Bell's, I believe that Bell's actions were deliberate and warrants punishment.

I get very frustrated with Nick Kypreos as he is often on the side of the Leafs and the players association. His arguments are often thoughtless and selfish. This is another scenario that ensures that I quickly change the channel and watch hockey guys with no history of severe concussions.