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Bettman tells Lowe, Burke to cease feud

Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 6:22 AM EDT 10/07/08

NHL brass warns pair of executives that they will be fined if they keep airing their dirty laundry in public ...Read the full article

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  1. Bob Fugger from Victoria, BC, Canada writes: Generalfeldmarschall Bettman thinks he can actually stiffle free speech? I'd love to know on what basis he thinks the NHL can intervene and fine them - must be a hell of a rule book!
  2. G R from Winnipeg, Canada writes: both Burke and Lowe are turkeys.....good that go at each other's throats. As a matter of fact, Bettman is the biggest turkey of them all! So you have all three in this.....pathetic! Bettman should have been fined by the league along time ago for basically acting like a jerk!
  3. Andrew Perry from halifax, Canada writes: Blowhard Burke has been slavering over this for 2 years, Lowe had wept his yap shut that long yet only when he speaks up does Butthead step in.
    Do we need anymore proof that Gary Da Wasel and Soupy Campbell aren't qualified to run a garbage truck?
  4. Elwan Lobo-Pires from Canada writes: So freedom of speech matters in every other sphere but not with the gods with clay feet at the NHL. Take a Valium guys.
  5. Warren H from Canada writes: thinks that they should put Lowe and Mrs Doubtfire in the cage and let them go at it
  6. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    (A little fun here....)

    Bett-American trying to stifle Canadian free speech?

    Who the hell does he think he is? This is a Canadian feud between 2 mean-headed Canucks and will be solved over suds.....one day!

    Come-on Gary (I love business..oops I mean"hockey" is that the way hockey is spelled???) I can't believe you still don't get it!

    Ok-you thought you won the CBA wars, but did you ever lose to the NHLPA!

    Now how do you sell the loss to the owners? 10 year $125 MILLION DOLLAR contracts? Or Thomas Vanek in Buffalo?

    Hey Gary-We do stuff differently than the Hatfields and McCoys-No guns-Just brewskies! Get out from NY Ivory Tower?
    .
  7. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Normally I don't engage in Bettman bashing, but shouldn't he have told Burke to shut his yap on this issue awhile back...

    I still say good on Kevin Lowe for fighting back.

    Cheers
  8. John O'Meara from At A Bay, Canada writes: Burke is a big-time blowhard. Offers sheets to restricted free agents are permitted under the CBA. Since when does BB (Blow-hard Burke) get to decide that other GMs should not make use of the provisions of the CBA? Enquiring minds wanna know.
  9. Quellcrist Falconer from Canada writes: Burke for Commish!
  10. Darcy Meyer from Canada writes: He should have told Burke to shut it a year ago. Only after a year of insults Lowe says something and Bettman tells them to be quiet. Lowe is a proud man and frankly I don't know how he kept his thoughts quiet this long.

    I like both of them; but am glad Lowe finally swung back. Bettman should let them work it out. (and the media loves it)

    I'll add my shot.

    Brian, Lowe has six cups. You inherited a great team built by Murray and got Pronger for a bargain to win your 1 cup. Stop whining and move on. Are you still blaming contract inflation on the Federov offer sheet in the 90's? There is a market for players and it is competition...clue in.
  11. bilbo baggins from Canada writes: it's about time. Shut up already.
  12. Flat Earth from Canada writes: Didn't see hide nor hair of Buttman when Burke was defaming Lowe last year. Good for Lowe for pointing out Burke's finer qualities.

    Oh by the by, Leaf Fans, do you still want Burke as your fearless leader. I think that Bonzo the chimp might be a better choice than Burke. Be careful, 41 more years of Stanley Cup hell may be in front of you.

    This is better than soap operas. lol.
  13. Flat Earth from Canada writes: Andrew,

    I generally agree with your post but equating Buttman with our fine sanitary engineering operators is certainly a slap in the face to all of our fine waste disposal practioners. Remember they provide a useful service whereas Bettman, well, not so much.
  14. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: The rapidity of Mr. Bettman's intervention in this conflict certainly suggests to me that some General Managers are more equal than others in the NHL...

    Incidentally, I learned some of these big words from reading Rex Murphy's column about Krusty the Coach this weekend.

    No Order of Canada for Krusty...

    Quelle dommage.
  15. Tax my toilet paper, please Dion - I will use less from Canada writes: Can't wait for Burke to go to the Leafs next year. A big blow-hard for a perennially losing team.

    ha ha ha

    But then again, the CBC will still show the losers every Saturday night, with Bob Cole leaking in his shorts every time some no-name Leaf touches the puck.

    weep
  16. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes: Never been an Oiler fan here .. far from it. But who do you think will make the Hall of Fame first ? Lowe ? Burke ? (if ever), or (gag) Bettman.

    Bettman would look good in the corner of the HOF. You know near the men's room where they hang the pictures of luminaries like Shorty Zeigler, Ballard the Barbarian, and Bunny "The Fixer" Ahern.

    Butt out pipsqueak !
  17. max from edmonton from Canada writes: Bettman should have stepped in a year ago for sure. I also was glad Lowe finally spoke up.

    He may have gone a wee bit far in his comments, but anyone who watched number 4 in his playing days knows he did not shy away from anything. I am surprised Lowe didnt rip Burke a new one months ago.

    My fav Burke Whinism "Lowe should not have put out an offer sheet on Penner the day I was being inducted into the BC hall of fame" (paraphrased)

    HAHAHAHAHAHAH

    Is Lowe supposed to check prince prima donnas social calendar before he conducts perfectly legal business transactions?

    What a freakin blowhard that clown from duckville is.
  18. lary waldman from Qualicum Beach, Canada writes: Dear Mr. Bettman

    You have once again proven to Canadians that you just don't get it. Hockey is not tennis. Get a grip you sissy.

    Lary Waldman
  19. Chris B from Canada writes: Yeah it sure is bad for the NHL to get all that publicity...
  20. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Chris B from Canada:

    I agree...

    There is no such thing as bad publicity...

    And it might even solve some long-term problems...

    I vote to put Kevin Lowe and Brian Burke in a cage (or a bar) and let them settle this once and for all...

    Cheers.
  21. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: I don't get this.

    Burke has been taking shots at Lowe in the media for over a YEAR! Now, for the first time, Lowe shoots back and Bettman is on him less than 48 hours later? That's a complete load of horse manure.

    What POSSIBLE rationale does Bettman have for stepping in now? The only logical explanation is that he's defending Burke. Nothing else makes any sense.

    Lowe follows the rules. Burke screams insults at him for it. Bettman does nothing.

    Lowe insults Burke. Bettman comes running like a soccer mom kissing her baby's boo-boo.

    It's beyond me how anyone can take the NHL seriously anymore. Let the league die. Nobody with a brain will miss it.
  22. j wilson from vancouver, Canada writes: Im not of the opinion that Burke is not a good GM. However, Im not sure he's as tough as his yap would make you believe.

    I am of the opinion therefore that Lowe's remarks were not meant to start trouble anew, but to warn Mr. Burke that he is in serious danger of receiving a well deserved size 13 in the hole.

    Bettman isnt stopping an argument. He's stopping a serious old school assbooting.
  23. rick from river city from Canada writes: I cant wait for Bettman to tell the Leaf Nation to leave poor Burke alone after hes been in TO for a year.
  24. duncan owen from bc, Canada writes: burke made it personal...i lost any respect for him when he said mr. lowe was desperate to save his job...he was never desperate, he took a franchise to the seventh game of the stanley cup with a team he built...in a small market...mr. lowe held his tongue much longer than most of us would, or could of...but, then again...mr. lowe showed us all what it meant to be part of a team, and what it took to win...good luck to the canucks cleaning up mr. burkes mess...look up the definition of team mr. burke...
  25. d nicholls from kingston, Canada writes: Wasn't Lowe doing basically the same thing as Burke? Deviously manipulating the flaws & loopholes in the post-lockout CBA? Is Lowe really that much of a maverick S.O.B? Or did Burke just get a taste of his own style of GM-ing and can't stand the company? Lowe couldn't save $, so he tried to make the competition spend it in boatloads, yes? Being allowed to employ such tactics was the collective responsibility of the Commissioner & Lowe's fellow GMs when hammering out the new deal. Curious that Anaheim was fined for the Niedermayer situation while Lowe was not punished for the Vanek/Penner offers...
  26. John Doucette from Canada writes: The Assman has spoken! Too bad, I was hoping we could get them both on Monday Night Raw. At least now we know that Burke is the perfect GM for the Leafs.
  27. Wally Grisold from Toronto, Canada writes: I wonder if Burke has been free of Hemeriods like Gary Bettman, if so there's another perfect a**hole.
  28. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: Butt out Bettman.

    Hockey fans like a good fight (giver Kevin, giver....)
  29. slapdash dapoint from trawna, Canada writes: Darcy Meyer from Canada writes: There is a market for players and it is competition...clue in.

    ---------------------------------------------------

    apparently burke isn't aware that other teams can make offers. what a baby.

    hope he doesn't come to toronto, hard enough listening to all the ball-hockey playing italians talk about hockey, if i have to be subjected to this goof's constaint complaining i'm gonna lose it

    and bettman... why can't a bassilie just start his own league - we copied the russians cycle, this seems to be a good idea too
  30. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: " Uncle Garyeee Kevin is calling me names"
    "Kevin stop it right now or I'll"
    "But Brian started it"
    "I don't care you shut up or I'll fix your wagon"
    "There there Briany I stopped that nasty Kevin, no one calls my favorite little boy names, come on lets go stick some pins in the Jimmy doll"
  31. RU Serious from windsor, Canada writes: I like Burke - I think he's a good hockey man.

    I also like the banter between Burke and Lowe - it's kind of fun to listen to in an otherwise boring league

    BUT Burke is out of line with his argument. Lowe isn't doing anything against the rules. Desparate teams tend to overpay, championship teams can underpay - ie Hossa to the Wings

    Burkie, you're wrong on this one BUT don't change your ways!!!
  32. Joe Calgarian from Canada writes: I agree, odd how Burke fires off his yap for what? 2? years now and Bettman doesn't say anything. As soon as the GM from a Canadian team speaks up suddenly he drops the hammer. Bettman can go f**k himself!
  33. bob miller from Canada writes: Maybe Bettman thinks Burk-eee is already WITH the Maple Leafs and, therefore, needs some form of protection.
  34. J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: I think a lot of people need a vacation! There seems to be a lot of vitriol on this forum for Gary Bettman simply doing his job and not letting this pissing match become anything better. There has been a week of incredible attention on the players due to free agency. It's far better for the league to let the players get the attention than letting GM's.
  35. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: Flat Earth from Canada - I'm not sure how many "Leaf Fans" want Burke in Toronto.

    It seems Peddie (and Shoalts) is (are) set on him. And there ain't that many Leaf fans agreeing with Peddie these days.

    Not sure if your assessment is correct
  36. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: Tax my toilet paper, please Dion - I will use less from Canada -

    A Grown man crying

    Pathetic.
  37. gordon foster from Canada writes: This is why I love the NHL: it's all about the money.

    Sorry, did I type love? I meant to type loathe. Isn't it possible to have a league that promotes the game for other than pecuniary reasons?
  38. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: slapdash dapoint from trawna - you must be up in dudebridge
  39. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes: "Gary Bettman simply doing his job"

    Oh sure.
  40. J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: Link: Can you tell me any other commissioner of another professional sports league that would not have done the same thing that Bettman just did with Burke and Lowe?
  41. Another Opinion from Canada writes: For J K Galbraith: "Can you tell me any other commissioner of another professional sports league that would not have done the same thing that Bettman just did with Burke and Lowe?"

    I can tell you at least two leagues that would have done it differently. Both the NBA and NFL would likely have fined Burke last year for publicly criticizing another team who followed league policy.

    Bettman didn't say boo until somebody insulted his boyfriend. Other professional sports leagues (that is: successful ones) tend to have a stronger central office and better PR control.

    I realize you were trying to imply that Bettman was right to step in. I don't question that. I'm simply pointing out that Bettman proves he's small time because he picks and chooses who to defend. It's a low-class move by a low-class league.
  42. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes:
    My point is it should never have reached the point of becoming a public pissing contest. Bettman reacted far too late. As usual.
  43. Baldy Cotton from Canada writes: JK Galbraith: Buttman, as usual, is not just doing his job. Which is why the tiny, unctuous one, as usual, is getting dumped on by fans who know a lot more about hockey than him.

    slapdash dapoint says, "hope he [burke] doesn't come to toronto, hard enough listening to all the ball-hockey playing italians talk about hockey, if i have to be subjected to this goof's constaint complaining i'm gonna lose it."
    Um, that's one of the most inane comments I've read in quite some time. Where (the heck) do you hail from? Englishie Hockey Central? Please do spew some more awesome puck wisdom for us.

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