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Written by Nichols
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Sunday, 14 December 2008 11:00 |
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NEW YORK/TORONTO (December 13, 2008) -- The National Hockey League Players' Association and the National Hockey League announced today that Brian McGrattan of the Phoenix Coyotes has voluntarily entered Stage #1 of the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program of the NHL and the NHLPA.
Under terms of the program, McGrattan will continue to receive his full salary and benefits and will have no penalty imposed as long as he complies with the prescribed treatment and follow-up care program.
The program's doctors, Dr. Dave Lewis on behalf of the NHL and Dr. Brian Shaw on behalf of the NHLPA, are administering McGrattan's care. ~ NHL.com First, I'd like to say that I hope Brian gets the necessary treatment to put himself in a position to make better life choices. Secondly, he owes an apology to the Coyotes and Senators and the fans who have put down money to watch this guy play. While it's important to recognize that McGrattan voluntarily (allegedly?) checked himself into rehab, what kind of society are we living in when we're giving kudos to a person who is no longer doing something illicit? You never see people praising women for not smoking or drinking when they're carrying a child? Why? Because it's expected.
When I first heard the news from a friend while at the bar last night, I wasn't surprised in the least. Rumors about substance abuse have followed this team for the past several years. If anything, I was more disappointed with the Senators organization for their unwillingness to disclose the facts surrounding the character issues on this team.
"From my point of view, I want our team to kind of knock the label of a dysfunctional room, if that's the right word. With Ray and Brian and people like that, all I ever heard were the stories of all these guys doing different things ... I want a team of real character people, as best I can, and I want very definitely good people in our room." ~ Bryan Murray It's probably not coincidence that McGrattan's best friend from last year's team is playing in Russia, but it's intriguing to note that Emery and McGrattan haven't been the only players rumored to be involved. If there's smoke, there's usually a fire and if there's one thing a struggling Senators team doesn't need right now, it's the perceived taint of having a substance abuse problem. Unfortunately, McGrattan's registration with the League might have just opened that can of worms.
Sundin Not Coming to Ottawa:
Apparently McGrattan's situation isn't the only non-surprise to come out of the papers this morning. According to the Ottawa Sun, Mats Sundin's agent, JP Barry, has informed Bryan Murray that Sundin has taken the Senators off his shortlist. More interesting is this little nugget of information that is buried at the bottom of the article:
"I'm sure it had something to do with the standings, but I'm sure it had lots to do with Ottawa vs. Toronto and obviously with him wanting to sign with a team that will be a finalist, if nothing else." ~ Bryan Murray, The Ottawa Sun A team that will be a finalist? That doesn't sound like a GM that's given up on contending this season already, does it? This Murray quote should put Jeffrey Simpson's mind at ease. Instead of talking playoffs, we'll be talking about player layoffs.
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