Cote Suspended, Bettman Issues Warning

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Dec 3, 04:25 PM | Hype this story!

Riley Cote today became the fifth Flyer to be suspended this season, as it was announced the tough-guy forward will serve a three-game suspension for his elbow to the head of Dallas Stars rookie defenseman Matt Niskanen Saturday night.

With this suspension, the Flyers now have 52 man-games worth of suspensions this season — or 48 games more than the team with the second most.

But, the real news behind all of this is the warning NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued to the Flyers.

According to The Sporting News, Bettman “issued the Flyers a warning, apparently telling them the next suspension will result in hefty fines for the organization.”

It’s about time.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgrem said, “Obviously, we’re under watch, I guess. Whether it’s fair or not it’s out there. We need to take a look at it and discuss it and we will.”

Whether its fair? Is it fair that the Boston Bruins lost Patrice Bergeron for the season after a cheap hit by a Flyer? Is it fair that Dean McAmmond suffered another concussion after being hit with a flying elbow by a Flyer?

And is it fair that the Flyers, a team with a history of goonery, are running around making dangerous plays that could have life-threatening consequences?

No. In fact, it’s quite dangerous and has no place in the game.

“It’s something the league and all of us don’t want to see in the game anymore,” Holmgren said to the Sporting News.

Then why, exactly, is his team so blatantly running their opponents in dangerous ways on such a consistent basis?

Bettman must follow through with his threats if he wants to hold any authority on such issues in the future.

This is the first step, but the consequent steps are what truly will tell the story.

Comments

  1. Matt

    Dec 3, 04:30 PM

    what a joke. no class from that organization at all. whether its fair or not? seriously? the nhl needs to do something major if this happens again because this is getting out of hand.

  2. Ashley Gallant

    Dec 3, 06:19 PM

    “Whether it’s fair or not”? Oh come on.

    And you’re right about Bettman – it’s about time he said something, even though he should have said something after Boulerice’s incident. Hopefully he’s not all talk and no action.

  3. DaBich

    Dec 3, 09:22 PM

    Fair? Blessed Jaysus! BUT...Bettman is talking the talk…will he walk the walk?? Time will tell!

  4. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 4, 09:02 AM

    Something tells me he will, but not very firmly. But, as you said, only time will tell.

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