A confused state
Nov 8, 2008
A confused state...
The National Hockey League has taken a hard line stance with regard to injury disclosure this season. At the beginning of training camp it was announced that the clubs are not responsible for issuing the specific nature of a player's injury or really any information at all, except for the fact that player is unavailable for duty.
They did put a line in there stating that the teams are not allowed to publish any misleading information. This policy has been a while in the making and was pushed through at the end of last season by the general managers. It is done so with the intention of protecting players who return to the line up and may be subject to targeting by the opponents.
That became very apparent in the playoffs when Johan Franzen of Detroit returned from a concussion and appeared to be a marked man. It has long been a "code" during the playoffs that NO information regarding injuries is circulated. That unwritten law was usually respected by members of the media.
There are always exceptions to the rule but for the most part it was respected. Now, the NHL has installed this policy for all regular season and playoff games. In the past, each member club would create their own policy. Some more cooperative than others.
Over the last few seasons, coaches have been apprehensive to release information regarding injuries. Some teams adapted the "upper, lower, middle" body philosophy which led to little or no information. This was happening while other teams would specify and also give a indefinite, day-to-day or a estimated time period that the team would be without that player.
As someone who has worked both sides from team public relations and now in broadcasting I am very confused as to what exactly is transpiring.
Over the last few weeks some prominent players have been injured. On Long Island, Rick DiPietro went down in a game we happened to broadcast. He did not play well, was pulled after the first period and no report was given. Then after the game the coach stated that his substitution was not "performance related."
By given no information it left those in a position to report no alternative but to talk about his performance as he took his place on the bench. After the game, Islander coach Scott Gordon stated he was injured and gave no details. Days later it was announced that he would have surgery and be out for 4-6 weeks.
In New Jersey, for the first time in a Hall of Fame-bound career, Martin Brodeur will miss significant time. Elbow surgery will force him out for 3-4 months. This announcement after a couple days of speculation and a couple of reports alluding to the fact that he may have a shoulder problem. Again, with no information provided the wrong message gets out.
In San Jose it was announced that goaltender Evgeny Nabokov is out with a lower body injury. The beat goes on.
I earmark these three players because it's safe to say that a large part of their franchise's success rests on their shoulders. Although they should be protected from future injuries, I ask is it fair to the fans and corporate sponsors to be kept in the dark on these issues? Should there be constant talk radio and Internet chatter based on media speculation that could be damaging to a team's bottom line.?
Or is it just a case where the public just needs to know who's playing, that's it, cut an dried. Protect the players at all costs.
That, I will say is admirable, but I call for compromise. The teams need to do a better job with information regarding the severity of the injuries. Don't bother with a general area of the body. That's an insult to everyone's intelligence. We will watch the games closely and guess away. But at least give time parameters. The people who pay the "freight" have a right to know. Work together on this, the game needs to get it's message out to it's fans to foster growth.
By stating that a player has a undisclosed problem with no further details is extremely defensive and maybe borderline arrogant.
This policy has holes that lead one down the road of uncertainty, which leads to speculation which could be damaging to the player, his reputation and the bottom line of the franchises. I hope this gets worked out, because right now in the words of the Temptations, this is a BALL of CONFUSION.
