Among the raging debate surrounding the dirty hits that have dotted the NHL landscape over the last few years, most of the criticism has been directed not at the players, but at NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell. He’s the guy that makes all of the decisions on the supplemental discipline (read: suspensions) or lack thereof that is handed out following these questionable hits.
Could This Be Colin Campbell’s Last Season As NHL Disciplinarian?
↵While it’s certainly not an easy job to have, many believe Campbell is either just not fit for it or that he’s worn out his welcome. Those critics may be close to a celebration. From veteran hockey journalist William Houston’s Truth And Rumours blog:
↵↵The speculation among many NHL insiders is that Colin Campbell will be replaced at the end of the season – he will either announce his retirement or take another league job.
↵↵That’s just one sentence of a blog post that’s fueled mostly by scathing critique of Campbell, but to many around the hockey world, that’s just what’s warranted. Some of those harsh words from Houston:
↵↵Insiders believe Bettman was intimidated by Campbell and his staff, because they happen to be veteran hockey guys, and Bettman is not.
↵Still, it’s hard to imagine the NBA’s David Stern or Roger Goodell of the NFL allowing an underling and mediocrity like Campbell dictate league policy that was fundamentally wrong, unfair to Savard and the Bruins, and also a public relations nightmare for the NHL. Bettman should have stepped in.
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