Reports say Campbell out, Shanahan in as NHL's disciplinarian

by Clark J Brooks on Jun 1, 2011 2:52 PM EDT in National Hockey League

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 17: Former NHL winger and current NHL Executive Brendan Shanahan is expected to replace Colin Campbell as head disciplinarian for the league. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

TSN is reporting that Colin Campbell, NHL Senior Vice-President and Director of Hockey Operations is relenquishing his duties as head of NHL discipline, although he will remain with the league as Vice-President of Hockey Operations.

It's expected that Brendan Shanahan will take over that role for the league, although the process of assessing infractions and administering punishment is likely to undergo significant changes.

Campbell has faced considerable scrutiny and criticism for seemingly arbitrary and inconsistent rulings, particularly in regard to fines and suspensions handed down for dirty hits. Questions of Campbell's integrity and accusations of bias heated up this past November when a series of emails that Campbell wrote in 2006 and 2007 was discovered. In communication with other league officials, he leveled profane, off-the-cuff criticisms against on-ice officials who called penalties against his son (Boston Bruins forward Gregory Campbell) and Bruins center Marc Savard, who is referred to as "a little fake artist".

Shanahan, who played over 20 years in the NHL with the Devils, Blues, Whalers, Red Wings and Rangers, is currently the NHL's Vice President of Hockey and Business Development.

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DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD!

So happy about this. Though probably not as happy as Gregory is.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jun 1, 2011 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

Think he resigned because his little boy was in the Stanley Cup Finals? ’Cause I do. Too little, too late, Mr. Campbell, for trying to show some respect for the game.

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 1, 2011 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think that had anything to do with it honestly. If it did wouldn’t he have simply recused himself when his son made the NHL? Or when it became a major media issue with his trade to Boston? Why wait til now to leave for that reason?

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jun 1, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

To make sure the media doesn’t win? It’s presented like it’s his choice. Perhaps, the NHL front office actually came to this decision months ago — but wanted to give Colin his dignity and allow him to leave graciously as if the Dellow story played no part in his departure?

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jun 1, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Then why announce his resignation on the day of Game 1 of the SCF, and not wait for two more weeks when the season’s officially over and his job is officially done for the year?

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 1, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Not to mention that Mike Murphy will be the interim guy for two weeks, and then Shanahan’s supposed to step in when the playoffs are over.

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 1, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea… I could see the league forcing him out but letting him keep his dignity as John suggests but the timing makes no sense if that is the case.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jun 1, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Atta boy Shanny!!

What a fantastic move!! However, it is bitter sweet. As is usually the case when someone you have grown to respect and admire takes a spot in the hot seat.

Regardless, I’ll take years of defending him and his actions any day over having another minute with Campbell in charge of such a important role. At least I’m positive in the fact of not being the only one to share the same feelings.

I’m sure at this point, just about anybody would be better than Colin. But the fact of who it may be to replace him.. adds some much needed optimism that the NHL might have a chance to make some actual progress in this area after years and years of just making things worse.

No doubt, at this point in time that Shanny is the right guy for the job. And will do an excellent job at that. It’s been a longggg time coming that we have someone that is actually respected.. Who woulda thought, haha?

So... if that was just the beginning? Can't friggin' wait to see what's next!! A HUGE Thank You to Mr. Vinik, Steve Yzerman, Guy Boucher & the whole damn Lightning team/organization!! 100% Continued support and respect.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 1, 2011 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

And now it can be Wings and Bolts fans who have to defend against accusations of favoritism! (I kid… sorta)

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jun 1, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I see what you mean... sorta

Do you mean to imply the Bruins get favorited because of Gregory? For one, Greg was still in juniors when dad first took the position and has only been a Bruin for a single season.

Plus.. why would Bolts fans have to defend against favoritism now? Shanny has no real relation to them at all.

Plus.. why would Bolts fans have to defend against favoritism now? Shanny has no real relation to them at all.Not to mention the whole Savard situation.. favoritism to his son, maybe. To the whole Bruins team?? Not so much.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 1, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

argh

Don’t understand why certain sentences/paragraphs randomly get doubled?

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 1, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I just figured you REALLY wanted to emphasize that point

: )

by Clark J Brooks on Jun 1, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Logic doesn’t stop the cretins from claiming that Boston received preferential treatment from the league thanks to Greg playing on the Bruins. Any article involving Boston, Campbell or discipline will see at least one mention of the supposed favoritism and bias exhibited.

As for why would the Bolts have to defend against favoritism, have you forgotten who their GM is? I think its safe to say that Shanahan and Yzerman are friends after playing together for nine years…

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jun 1, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Then if Shanny playing or being friends with someone, means they will get some sort of special treatment… looks like Shanny will be a very busy and conflicted man.

Good thing both partys are of the utmost position.. when it comes to having a back-bone and integrity.

As for the “cretins”… they will never go away and will always be there in one form or another. I say let ’em talk, because at the end of the day thats all it is.. talk. Logic unfortunately, is hard to come by nowadays. Sad but true.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 1, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Not saying it will happen… just that he will be receiving that criticism just as Campbell did.

I mean, it won’t be easy for the guy to rule on discipline of a former teammate or former foe… no one is that objective. I just hope he recuses himself from such situations as needed.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jun 1, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

This is why I favor John’s idea of an independent disciplinarian who’s not a former player, coach, or GM.

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 1, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

As someone else pointed out, the last time the NHL brought in an outside to fill a key role we got Bettman…

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jun 1, 2011 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, there’s a huge difference between bringing in an outsider as a commissioner, who we all know is an administrator, and the punishment czar who can have a direct impact on a game-by-game level.
I’m not a conspiracy theorist but those that are got their ammo from Campbell’s arbitrary enforcement which magnified conflicts of interest into bigger matters than they probably were. All anybody wants is consistency and if Shanahan brings that to the position, he’ll do fine.

by Clark J Brooks on Jun 1, 2011 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

If Shanahan’s not careful, he could turn into the league’s Mr. Fix-It. First he changes up the All-Star Game, and now he gets a chance to fix the discipline issues. If he’s successful, it makes you wonder what he’ll get to fix after that.

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 2, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

And they broght in Bettman to make them mor money. Has he not been successful in that?

Bettman was not hired to run hockey operations. He had the larger job of running the league. His expertise was business. Can you say Colin Campbell’s expertise was managing rules / enforcing discipline and managing referees when he was hired for the job?

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jun 2, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

You don't even have to kid

ANY player / former on ice personality who gets involved in the NHL disciplinary stuff is basically opening themselves up to claims of bias and partiality. It’s an utter truth that can’t be denied.

I’ve seen Kerry Frazer presented as teh ideal replacement for Campbell. It’d be the exact same thing – he takes his own personal attitude and biases into an administrative job. This can be tied to any player / ref who takes ove the job at any time.

The NHL promoting from within the game is making a mistake. Do Police Officers tend to get eelcted as judges? Or make up the jury pool for that matter? No, you go third-party for a fair trial.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jun 1, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow..

God, I hope Kerry Frazer never ever even thinks about taking that job or any administrative job ever, for that matter. Not even a damn car lot or hair salon, haha.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 1, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I found this article interesting

http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=3635

Written by a Bruins fan, nonetheless.

Not saying it means anything, but appearances can be a very, very bad thing. Especially for a impartial organization.

"[The Lightning] are uncanny. When they want to get a goal, it's like they just snap their fingers or hit a button. They just dial it up. You can see it. It's like they flip a switch. When they are down, it's just like they think, 'we know we are going to score.' I don't know what it is, it leaves [the opposition] flabbergasted." - Mike Knuble, 3 May 2011

by MTBoltFan on Jun 1, 2011 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Hmm..

Interesting indeed. Crazy some of the stats people choose to look into. Wish I had that much time on my hands.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 1, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s why I’m glad I read it instead of me writing it.

by MTBoltFan on Jun 1, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Yay! One Irishman replaced by another! I like the second Irishman a lot more though… the first Irishman looked depressed and grumpy all the time and he was not a very good coach for the Rangers.

Shanahan is a guy who loves the game and understands the physical aspect of it better than a lot of people out there. He tossed the mittens when he had to, he played in big games, and he has been around the modern game. Great candidate for the job.

@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."

Blueshirt Banter

by Dig Deep on Jun 1, 2011 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

+1 ..Exactly

And has been involved in some controversial plays/hits. Even if from his own teammate (man, that was scary)

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 1, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Hugely important that a guy who knows the old school and the new school and appreciates the physical aspect of the game (including fights and big hits) gets the job.

@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."

Blueshirt Banter

by Dig Deep on Jun 2, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions