Ron (Posted 2008-11-06 14:29:57)
I guess not everyone can be as enlightened as you Drew, or your hero Ken Campbell. Many of us read the whole article and still reject the way it was written. The last time I checked I still had a fully functioning two sided brain; the audacity of the fans to actually disagree with you or your hero Ken. I didn’t realize that becoming the “Senior Editor” was the equivalence of being omniscient with hockey matters (Although, I can certainly point to Ken and Steve Dryden as case examples of out of touch elitist writers). I guess we shouldn’t question Ken, we should just bow down and kiss his ring, after all he is the “Senior Editor” of the Hockey News. Even though that he often mails these anti-fighting columns in and has to resort to name calling (“goon” & “knuckledraggers”) because he can’t put together a cogent argument for his point of view. You and Ken are cheap shot artists when it comes to the tough guys. You need to demonize them by calling them these names. I guess it make you feel better about yourself. OK, Sugden made a mistake and threw a stick at a fan. He paid his penalty but you guys want to keep throwing this out at him. I know why you guys do this. He doesn’t play your brand of “skill” (I would call it passive) hockey. You want to justify a rational as to why he should be banned. What are you feelings on Dany Heatly? Should he be allowed to play the game? I’ll bet you have a different view of those circumstances; after all he is one of the “skilled” players. Something tells me that if he was a tough guy Ken would demonize him and call for his ouster. Players make mistakes both on and off the ice, they pay their debt and move forward, but you guys want to hold past transgressions against the tough guys to bolster your anti-fighting views. To quote yourself, that is “crap”. I’m glad to see that you and Ken have never made a mistake. I’m also curious (like I am with Ken) as to how good at hockey you are? You must be spectacular (like Ken) to comment in such a degrading manner on the hockey skills of some of these tougher players. Finally, there is a game that prides itself on both skill and brute force. Ever hear of the National Football League? Last time I checked they were doing all right. FYI – The UFC is one of the bigger success stories with regard to Pay Per view revenues. The news might not have made it around the sophisticated & enlightened sports circles you may hang out in. Also, every referendum vote on the fighting that I have ever seen (even those done by The Hockey News) has resulted in an overwhelming majority of fans that want to keep the fighting in the NHL. Maybe you should do a little background checking before you sound like a…..(refer to your last sentence). But you and Ken seem to know so much more than the rest of us. It’s good to see the fighting coming back in the NHL. I hope that drives you and your hero Ken nuts. With fighting on the rise, maybe there is hope for the NHL. Maybe, people wouldn’t attack the writer if he didn’t attack the players and fans like he does?

Doug (Posted 2008-09-22 11:37:03)
Tim Bryan has laid it all out. Guys like Cambell who don't understand the dressing room should get out of the business. You hide behind writers credentials with no knowledge of anything. Prove to me and the other readers out there that you actually know something otherwises retire, because you dialogue disgusts me! And Dave, nobody, but nobody questions -questions from an informed source!

dave (Posted 2008-09-19 16:14:13)
Tim Bryan, One does not have to be able to play the game to know the game. Campbell is not an "Expert." I don't know why people assume since a writer is with the Hockey News or any media place for that matter, he is an "expert." He is more of a fan of the game who writes his opion on something. If you have a problem with it, just don't read it. It's that simple. Or say why you have a problem with it and don't try getting personal.

Richard Zufelt (Posted 2008-09-19 10:57:44)
Having seen Brandon in action for years, I will be the first to admit, he can fight. And how. Outside of the hockey arena is where his life is focused. Helping kids, family, teamates, charities, etc. He has touched so very many lives in a positive manner. And yes, as his Dad states you do not use the facts. That story would not offend as many people, now would it? Not great read for you is that? What ever is asked of this man on the ice, he does. Does he have control of his ice time? No. He has a job, and he is GREAT at it. The Islanders will ultimately decide if his is an asset or liability to their team, not YOU Sir. I sincerely hope your days as a columnist are numbered. You are the Goon of the Keyboard. One more keyboard Coward on the net and print.

Zo Bradford (Posted 2008-09-18 18:13:52)
Is ken cambell really a professional? wow terrible story with no plot except a personal grudge we can see you have with sugden

Dave F (Posted 2008-09-18 15:48:32)
First let me say to Travis, i'm sorry that you have to endure the emotions that come with such crap, some people don't think about the family when they spew garbage. They don't give much tought to what they write, so they usually don't think about parents or especialy the kids either. It's a sad deal when someone such as Mr. Campbell can type any dribble he wants to in order to promote his own agenda, which is fine, but not having any sort of checks or balances with the facts at hand and with the mission to tear a person down is wrong. Mr. Campbell, if you feel that fighting is a determent to the sport and that it would be a better thing for the game to have skilled players taking the roster spots, cool. Is it that you have NO SKILL as a writer to do it in a way that can make a point, but not make it into a personal attack on someone that you don’t know and using half-truths to do it?. You make it seem that Brandon is a lit fuse out there, I’ve watched him play, and I beg to differ. In my opinion, off the ice skills make the better player for the benefit of the whole sport. I've been around these so-called skilled players who don’t have the right time of day for the average fan, but you choose to slam a guy that always made time and was a great ambassador for the Syracuse team. I personally saw him give talks to high school students and give a real world account of the horrors that he put himself through before and convince them to think about these issues. It was no B/S, you had to respect the guy for having the balls to do this stuff, where some others in the sports and entertainment world almost glorify such behaviors. Mr. Campbell, if you weren’t so far off base on this, I don’t think you would see this kind of feedback on your blog. If it's a good thing for you that skill isn't part of your job, why does it need to be for others? I come at my opinion from a background in professional motorsports. Myself and family have been chat-roomed and blogged to death with outright lies over the years. Maybe that and the fact that I consider Brandon Sugden a good friend I have my bias. What’s yours?

CrunchPhantomsFan (Posted 2008-09-18 12:53:41)
Hey Campbell, go watch tennis, or is that too violent for you as well? Fighting is part of hockey, whether you, or Bettman, like it or not.

Bill (Posted 2008-09-18 12:26:09)
Ken: You are a blight on the game. The Hockey News is crazy if it ever prints any of your nonsense again.

Mike Brown (Posted 2008-09-18 00:37:58)
Maybe you should have talked to Brandon before you wrote this bias article. I am a Syracuse Crunch fan where Brandon played for 3 seasons. Not only was he a fan favorite but he was also a man of the community. He did every promotion there was and would talk and hang out with anyone. Would sign an autograph for anyone even if he was not in the mood. He put on a hockey camp for kids and and never did anything here in Syracuse to hurt anyone. He had problems in his life but changed and is a real human being unlike the guy that wrote this horrible article. His father is dying from Cancer and Sugden is also donating a portion of his salary this up coming season to cancer research. Maybe Mr. Campbell should do research on someone before writing garbage about someone he has never even met. I think I will not buy this magazine anymore until Mr. Campbell no longer works for them!

Humpzilla of HF.com (Posted 2008-09-17 22:46:38)
Responding to articles like this, for a hockey fight/ old time hockey fan, is like banging your head against a wall for an attempt at an idea. It's basically an act of futility. But because i actually pay to get into hockey games, i would think my viewpoint matters. But as someone who takes in Single A, AA and NHL level games, my opinion must not matter. And I have actually played hockey. I love goons. And thank you Travis Sugden.

Evan (Posted 2008-09-17 20:43:38)
bob...this article most certainly is about Brandon. As it takes several personal jabs at him such as labeling him a "goon" and a "lunatic". "Sugden is nothing short of a goon. He’s not a tough player who can play and he’s not an intense competitor whose style of play inspires his teammates. He’s nothing more than a hired gun, the kind of on-ice lunatic teams seem to think they need to counter the other team’s on-ice lunatic." How many of Sugden's former teammates did Campbell interview to see if he inspired their play? How does he know how intensely he competes? He's a physical defenseman, how many goals is he expected to score? Those type of statements without any proof certainly do lack integrity. As far as guys who are in the game for their fighting skills alone, there are quite a few left in the league. Like I tried explaining earlier, fighting is a skill set that is used to protect the overall wellbeing of your teammates. For it to be dismissed as anything else is silly. We aren't talking about guys that go out looking to kill people every time they touch the ice. They are there to keep things honest. How many fights did Donald Brashear get in last year? George Laraque? These guys are regarded as the best in the fight game, yet they barely ever have to flex their muscles because of the presence they carry. You are much more likely to get injured playing a game against Sean Avery, Ben Eager, Alex Burrows or Matt Cooke than you are against any NHL enforcer. I don't know why I even bother trying to explain this to you as you...don't...get...it...and...probably...never...will. Honestly.

Chris (Posted 2008-09-17 20:09:31)
I'd like to know where and when Mr. Campbell played hockey. Because anyone that actually played real hockey COULD NOT have the opinion that fighting needs to be taken out of the game. I'm not an advocate of a tilt every 5 minutes, but when someone on the other team does something dirty or your team needs a spark, a good fight fits the bill perfectly. I know that I'd rather take a punch to the face while fighting, than a two hander to the back of the leg, because fighting has been taken out of the game. Nobody complains about a 95 MPH fastball high and inside at a baseball game, and why is that??? Oh it's part of the game. Well guess what, fighting is a part of hockey and will always be no matter what jerkoffs like "Mr" Campbell have to say about it.

Dave McCormick (Posted 2008-09-17 17:45:10)
Proud to be part of the "ilk"....Saddened to read such a biased article.

Evan (Posted 2008-09-17 16:59:23)
Fighting in hockey is a skill set just like anything else in hockey. It's nice of all of you to say that you appreciate two guys battling it out in the heat of the moment (as do I, as well) but believe there is no place in the game for enforcers, but the fact remains, superstars are most often not the best equipped to handle enforcing duties in hockey, just like enforcers are rarely equipped to handle goal scoring duties. The best deterrent against cheapshots is a highly skilled (and I don't mean goal scoring) enforcer. Hockey is unique a sport as there is, as it is played at a high speed and every participant carries a weapon. There will always be cheap play, and there always needs to be a deterrent against this cheap play. To those of you who enjoy watching guys freight train, and hack each other without fear of retribution, watch college hockey. As for those who think that fight fans lack intelligence, or hold a certain political preference, think again. There is honor in defending your teammates when liberties are taken, and not turning the other cheek. Enforcers are out there to play hard and keep the peace, not to beat up on smaller or more skilled players. This almost never happens. If you truly believe this then you lack fundamental knowledge of how hockey is played at the professional level. Tell us, why is it that you never hear players complain about enforcers or the existence of fighting in pro-hockey? Could it be because they actually understand the importance it holds in the game, even in today's NHL where breathing on another player will put you in the box for four minutes? Godspeed to Brandon and Travis. I hope Brandon gets a shot in the show, and Travis gets to see it. Real hockey fans know what kind of player and person Sugar is. This article is journalistic dishonesty at its finest, and much like a pest in the NHL post-instigator rule, the author fears no retribution. However, it doesn't make Matt Cooke a more honest player, and doesn't give this writer any additional journalistic integrity...

M.Sanchez (Posted 2008-09-17 12:37:12)
Wait didn't Gary Bettman SUSPEND Todd Berttuzzi until Steve Moore could return to his team. When Todd attacked him in a game. He was Suspended the remainder of the season and the PLAYOFF's and the whole entire time the NHL was in the LOCKOUT following the PLAYOFF's. Then as soon as the CBA & the NHL came to an Agreement Todd was reinstated. Traded for Roberto Luongo, then traded again to a STANLY CUP CONTENDER, signed to a two year contract, then bought out by the Ducks and resigned by the Flames. Did everyone for get the joke of Bettman's Suspenssion that every one is worried about Brandon Sugden who is a so called GOON. Last time i checked every one of the players he has fought have been able to return to there respective teams and play, Have they not? How about Steve Moore? Is he back with the Avs while Big Bert has been enjoying his careere now with six hockey club? come on people. Drop this and get on with the game. Who cares if he makes it, well at least now there will be a player to counter Philly's Steve Downie. I say let him play and to the players on opposing teams CYA boys.

Brad G (Posted 2008-09-17 11:57:36)
Travis Keep your head high, an don't listen to these people that know nothing about Brandon, You did a great job keep raising Brandon, An yes he made a few mistakes in life, but his over all dedication to humanity is by far way more glowing than the few negative demons he had to deal with when he was younger. Remember this " Thy who lives in a glass house should NEVER throw stones" an everybody lives in a glass house in some retrospect.... The Islanders will be the Judge if he belongs there, an if he fits the bill of what they are looking for. Travis in the end of the day, what Ken said Does it really matter, to me it doesn't Because Brandon will be in Moncton trying his heart out to make the team, An Ken will be behind his computer writing about his point of view, But in the end of the day in the eyes of the most important people to Brandon, his fans, his family an God, he has already succeeded .... Cheers.....

Carl Hanna (Posted 2008-09-17 11:09:35)
Ken you are just using Sugden for your case aganst fighting. Its to bad to you are a okay hockey writer until you go one you kicks aganst fighting in the league. The NHL has always had it, the CHL has too and so does any top minor pro league in North America and they always will have it. I am sure you have been to many more pro hockey games then I have so you know first hand how the crowd goes when to guys square off and go at it, for either the good of there teams or to stand up for there teamates, or just to do it to show some NHL scout that they have a place in the league. I am not sure if they should let Sugden play in the NHL or not but that is due to his off ice issues and because he has gone overboard in the past on the ice, not because he is a "goon". Parros and May won cups with the ducks and they were not on the ice to score, they were out there to play a tough physical game and drop the gloves if the need be, and there is nothing wrong with that. If the rules of the game (any of them) bug you that much do all other hockey fans a favor and stop watching it

TravisSugden (Posted 2008-09-17 09:19:10)
I'm 64 and in all the years I have lived this is the first time an news article, about Brandon Sugden, that has brought tears to my eyes and I mean real tears. I'm hurting SO VERY MUCH right now and should really try to get what you have written out of my mind. BUT I CAN NOT, so I must write you even though Brandon would tell me to leave it alone. You have take part truths and make them look like facts to support an opinion. I always believed there were checks and balances before a story like this is printed. You leave out who Brandon really IS so as to support your opinion. On the surface, to those who don't now the true facts, your story makes sense and I would be the first to agree with your position. Because your story is backed by broken facts I don't know how to start telling you how wrong your are about my son. I am a 6' 4" 275 pound man who was the first Canadian to get in the ring with Muhammed Ali. Not even Ali's punches hurt as much as your story about Brandon. I will tell you that Brandon and I know god. Brandon Sugden is as good a human being as there has ever been. I don't know you and have no idea what you have done in your life to help your fellow man or to make life easier for those in need. In Brandons short life he has done more than most and he is my hero. I can forgive you for printing this without exploring all the facts. I'm sure that Brandon's love for god will allow him to do the same. If you ever want the facts about Brandon and who he is today and why you are so wrong about him, I will be happy to talk to you. My email is travis@sugden.com

Kevin (Posted 2008-09-17 09:02:34)
Darryl Sutter- I just wanted to make the point that eventually fighting will be out of hockey and it will start at the grassroot level. Eventually the Junior teams will be banning fighting or having stiffer penalties where coaches wont allow a player to fight because it will hurt his teams chance of winning a game. For hockey to keep evolving like it has rules have to be made. Just like they implemented the helmet rule and now its the neck guard rule for the safety of the players. I am all for fighting in hockey trust me, but to me having a guy around who can only play two minuets a game is taking away a spot of a guy who can go out and hit and play a different role. Also for all the guys who have written that the super stars in the league have their bodyguards (Laraque and Brashear) believe me guys are trying to hit Crosby and Ovechkin but these guys have trained their whole lives not to get in the trolley tracks and get hammered. Its not like guys are scared to hit the superstars, they definitely try and hammer crosby and ovechkin and whoever else is considered a superstar. The reason these guys are elite players is they can avoid big hits. Players in the NHL for the most part arent scared to get beat up if they can take a good player out with a big hit, its very evident and also with the respect factor you dont see too many guys getting jumped by heavyweights. I also agree to disagree but I dont believe true hockey fans come to the games to see someone fight. I am sure it adds to the atmosphere if two tough guys who hate eachother are playing against eachother but i dont believe this puts fans in the seats.

It Just Doesn't Matter (Posted 2008-09-17 07:39:21)
None of this matters. The Rangers won't make it past the second round, the Isles won't make it out of the basement, Detroit's going to repeat, and Bettman's going to dance around with his hand in his pants all season like he usually does. Vaya con dios, Jack...enjoy the games in heaven from your personal rinkside box!

Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-09-16 20:37:56)
Welcome back Jim. I believe you've gathered from my posts that I have no qualms with fighting in hockey but prefer it to be spontaneous as in the days of Howe and Richard. I still believe the instigator rule took that away and opened the door to the hacking, etc. we see now. Personally, I treat these orchestrated matches like a commercial. It's a good time to get a snack or go to the bathroom. It reminds me of TV wrestling. About as real.

Uncle Ducky (Posted 2008-09-16 20:00:46)
Hey Epic:Well worded and well stated.Exactly as 1 would like to hear.Bettman is an absolute moron and should be sent packing back to the NBA.

Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-09-16 19:08:42)
If what the Islanders are looking for is a fighter, then Garth Snow is even less qualified for the job he currently has than I thought. The Isles are a joke, they lack top end talent everywhere but possibly goal. They have one real good prospect and you're trying to tell me they might be looking for one-dimensional players whose one dimension has nothing to do with scoring goals or preventing goals from being scored? Why would that be a priority for them? Instead of inviting skill guys who might have gotten overlooked to camp, maybe getting lucky and finding an Adam Oates, they're looking instead to uncover the next Link Gaetz. Seriously, the Isles need skill, not intimidation. Like I said, if they invited the guy out of compasion for him for his father, that's great, but don't act like one-dimensional fighters are an integral part of winning. Fighters who can play are worth it to have on your roster, they're an asset, guys who can't be trusted are a liability. And no one is talking about Edmonton and McMorrow because he didn't retire and then un-retire the same year.

Epic (Posted 2008-09-16 16:13:32)
Substance abuse is stupid, his Father having cancer is tragic but stop bashing Brandon Sugden. If he is truly a bad player then the market will decide and the Islanders will not have him play. I am gald he has a chance. I do not know Brandon but I am a goon. I play the way I do because the Management, Coach, and Captain tell me to. I support my team and the organization I play in, I am not a mindless thug that advances my own cause with fighting. If you don't like fighting then write about the commissioner and the league and have the rules changed. Ban all contact, all checking, all fighting, rule everything interference, increase the size of the net, decrease the size of the pads... make a game that everyone can play and no one wants to watch. Individual players are members of a team and other than specific instances we play within the guidelines that our owners establish. I am proud to take the ice but don't bash individual players for doing what their organizations want.

Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-09-16 15:32:34)
I meant to say, 19:45 of the third period.

Darryl Sutter (Posted 2008-09-16 14:52:25)
"Quote me. Fighting is making its way out of hockey." Kevin, you might want to check your sources. The Flames team that I happen to manage dropped the mitts 70 times last season, split between fourteen different players. And the Northwest division does not appear to be shying away from this anytime soon.

Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-09-16 14:18:23)
Brad G, that's great that we don't have to worry about the guy cheap shotting other players, and yeah, I get that kids do stupid things that grown ups with kids usually won't do. The simple fact of the matter is, if he's going to make it to the AHL, let alone the NHL, it will be because someone thinks he can be the enforcer for their team, and while I like a good fight as much as the next guy, to me, a good fight needs to be between two players who have been battling all night and are finally tired of each other, not between a designated fighter who hardly plays and only shows up on the scoresheet if he's in the box for some reason or another, and someone who may or may not have laid on a suspect hit. Sugden isn't an elite player, and even though the Islanders are short on high end prospects, you can't possibly tell me that all of their other prospects don't have more talent and a better shot at making the big show than this guy. Like I said, it's nothing personal, I don't have anything against this guy personally, but the entire concept of a guy whose sole role on a team is to "give your players confidence to go out there and play a hard nosed style of play" is ridiculous. If the other players on the team don't have the confidence to do that on their own, maybe they shouldn't be doing it. What I'm hearing is that as long as my team has the biggest, toughest player, I can try to take out the other teams' star player (with a perfectly legal clean hit, of course.) And as for those 5 to 7 minutes he's eating up, I'd rather have someone with more skill. If he can make it on heart and effort (and skill), fine, let him play. But if he spends more time swinging his fists than holding his stick, he should look for a new line of work.

Daniel E (Posted 2008-09-16 13:03:11)
Gee, I probably should have read the whole article before I posted my comment. But even so, I doubt he'll even stick around very long in the AHL.

Brad G (Posted 2008-09-16 12:43:14)
Brian I have watched Brandon play in the LNAH, witch is exactly what you guys call it a goon league, Two lines of good players that played in the LJMDQ an two lines of tougher players that fight when they are told to, In all the games that I watched with St Jean, Never had I seen Brandon take a cheap shot at a skilled player, an let me tell you as a fan of that league also I would say many fans an opposing players deserved it, Brandon was used as a sixth D man most of the time, when the other team didn't have a guy to go with Sugden, an there were not many teams that had a guy to go with him last season.. You guys really seem to like to keep bringing up something that happened many seasons ago, Grow up alittle an relize that when you are young an dumb you make mistakes, but when you are a family man with two kids, you seem to see the light of reason alot better..... Don't worry about him going after a talented player, it is not his style, an don't worry about him jumping somebody, again it is not his style. Brandon goes with willing opponants, in the LNAH when the other player refused Sugden it was the fans that got on that player, not Sugden....... Having a guy on the end of the bench that gives your players confidence to go out there an play hard nose hockey to me is a good thing, an your team knows that if the other team takes excption to a good stiff check you got a guy that could defend you if needed, if not he plays on the fourth line an eats up about 5 to 7 minutes of ice time per game...

Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-09-16 11:44:31)
If I have to hear about the No Hitting League one more time, I think I'm going to throw up. Ask Ryan Malone what he thinks about the lack of hitting in the game, and then listen to the whistle from his broken nose because of hits put on him by a small skill player named Kronwall. Hitting hasn't disappeared from the game, it's alive and well. Like many on this site, I love a good, real fight between two players who are pissed off at each other, but the scripted "I'm a fighter and you're a fighter, so let's fight" garbage needs to go. If the Isles invited Sugden to training camp to bring joy to his dying father, that's great. I applaud the class in that move. But if he takes out a talented prospect in an exhibition game while on his tryout, while showing no real skill beyond ability to skate and puch at the same time, what good is that for the sport? Why should the game lose players with a real shot at being good (or great) at the NHL level, so a guy with no real future at this level can be given a chance to hurt people? He might be a good guy off the ice (most fighters are), but on the ice, he attacked a fan by throwing his stick at them over words. Did the fan deserve it? Maybe, God knows some fans cross the line at times. But the fact is, he lost his mind out there. He got a lifetime ban. It seems to me, those kinds of bans should stick, and this guy should be looking for a job in a less stressful field of work.

Xuthl (Posted 2008-09-16 11:02:14)
I only read Kevin's comments, but I have to admit that I sort of agree with him. I love fighting in hockey! But I would far sooner see two players bump in the corner, tempers flare, and both come up punching than see these dog and pony shows where two heavyweights line up for the face off and drop the gloves as soon as the puck hits the ice. Every time this happens the goons should be assessed a gross misconduct for making a joke out of the great game of hockey! Get rid of the goon. Get rid of the instigator penalty. Get back to guys fighting their own battles. If you do this there will suddenly be no place in hockey for cheap shot artists like Matt Cooke and Jarko Ruutu, and Derick Boogard will finally have to stop pretending to be a hockey player!

Kevin (Posted 2008-09-16 09:18:44)
Great article Ken and this is one reason I love getting thehockey news and having expert opinions. I think people are missing the point here, he's saying its not fair that an honest and hard working player can't make it to the NHL but a goon who is obviously just terrible can make it because they want him to fight. The best hockey games ive been to were hardworking, hard hitting play off games and there were no fights. If people are mad at Ken Campbell for trying to make hockey better than they are missing the true point of his blogs. Also to the guy who wrote fighting is part of the game then you didnt watch the Detroit Red Wings last year win the stanley cup. I am tired of hearing that Anaheim won the cup because they fought, they won the cup because they had the two best D pairing in the NHL and they outhit and outworked Ottawa. George Parros isn't a goon, hes an enforcer and there is a difference between the two. "I enjoy watching two players scrap but the difference between a goon and an enforcer is a goon goes looking for fights and an enforcer is someone who sticks up for his teammates and keeps the other team honest" Quote me. Fighting is making its way out of hockey and i was on the side of keeping it in the NHL but the guys that were swinging their sticks and cheap shotting people are the so called tough guys. Just like Ken said this goon wont make it to the NHL but hes taking a spot away from another player who comes to play and isnt a side show. Anyways I cant wait for the upcoming NHL season and any early predictions on Stanley Cup Champs ? Please no one say Montreal. -Leafs Fan lol

Randall S Chadwick (Posted 2008-09-16 08:49:15)
I'm one of those people who signed the petition on hockeyfights.com, so I probably don't need to delve into my opinion on this matter. Look, I don't know a ton about Sugden, haven't seen him play but...Campbell points out "zero goals in the worst professional league..". Well, what kind of ice-time did Sugden get? Who were his linemates? What was his job as given to him by the coach? I could hold Gretzky to zero goals if I wanted to, as a coach. While I don't enjoy meaningless goonery on the ice, Campbell seems to go way further in espousing the benefits of the No Hit League that the NHL has become. Hard to believe this guy ever got to enjoy hockey...seems like more of a Polo guy to me. Maybe Soccer a.k.a. Futbol.

Patrick (Posted 2008-09-16 08:27:12)
Dan I can't agree more. And to think he is a senior writer for THN. In a sport that's trying to come back into the spotlight, Campbell does nothing but bring negativity towards it. He could have written a great and long article about his friend and colleague that recently passed. But instead decided to dedicated the entire page to complaining and only give his friend a few lines.

Dan (Posted 2008-09-16 07:49:27)
Ken you are by far the most annoying sports writer in the bussiness. Is it possible for you to write a positive article? Is it possible for you to not whine and cry like my 4 year old niece? Every time i read something that you write i wonder why they let you write anything for THN. I little word of advise, "lighten up" !!!!! Their has to be SOME good news in the hockey world. Why don't you try and find that good news, drink a beer, mellow out a bit and write something uplifting.

Patrick (Posted 2008-09-16 03:41:37)
Damn too many writing faults!

Alex in AZ (Posted 2008-09-16 01:24:51)
"Only 26 teams" voted to allow him into the NHL? What do you mean "only"??? There are *only* 30 teams in the NHL! It's funny that the minority opinion on fighting in the NHL gets so much of a majority voice with such excellent word-spinning through articles like this.

S1W (Posted 2008-09-16 00:21:36)
Pretty typical of Cambell and THN. I would rather have had a half-page tribute to a master hockey scribe like Jack Fall and the paragraph hatchet-job on a career minor leaguer. The only anti-fighting debate takes place by journalists. The true fans vote every year by going to see the games.

michael figurelli (Posted 2008-09-15 23:29:24)
Nice... we got a new Chris Simon.

NJIslanders (Posted 2008-09-15 22:55:26)
Stevie the point of mentioning the 12 sellouts was to show that the rags fans who posted prior to you really don't know what they are talking about (Squire Henrick and the other hockey fan wannabe) This is not bragging just a statement of fact to counter misinformation which rags fans are infamous spreading. So take your skirt off and talk real honest hockey.

Steve (Posted 2008-09-15 22:17:06)
What a laugh, an Islander fan bragging about the 12 sellouts they had last year like its something to be proud of!

Morgan S (Posted 2008-09-15 20:56:09)
I think everyone is missing the point here. I can't put my finger on why but I think it's the lack of the word "attendance" or mention of the MSG... And as to Falla's death, I extend my condolences.

Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-09-15 20:39:08)
I've been in favor of "enforcers" since the days of Fergie, but now it's a sideshow where 2, usually, players that couldn't make in on skill fight each other to pump up the crowd. When the fights were still between two players that were p-d off at each other, or a guy like Fergie protecting his teams stars and making sure that if you targeted them you'd have him to answer to, you kept the hacking, etc. minimized. This guy sounds more like McCracken or Ogilthorpe.

NJIslanders (Posted 2008-09-15 20:25:19)
Rangers fans should know about failure. In their long history the have only won 4 cups and three of them when there were 10 teams or less. and even then they couldn't string two together. They've had Messier, Gretzky, Jagr, Shanahan, etc. and haven't been able to win a cup since 94. I Having been at games at MSG, on the island, in philly and in boston I can say MSG is not always full. When the rags start losing it empties out faster then someone screaming fire in a movie theater. The only thing consistent in MSG is the obnoxious fans. As for Sugden your talking as if he's on the team already he got an invite nothing more.

glenn (Posted 2008-09-15 19:20:35)
Oh Chet...please stop watching hockey. Stick to Wrestling, extreme fighting and invading foriegn countries for oil.

jax (Posted 2008-09-15 18:33:32)
Yeah all those suits at MSG would eat him alive. What are they gonna do? Throw there pocket protectors at him? Give me a break. Half the suits scream touchdown when the rangers score.

The islanders are a minor lea (Posted 2008-09-15 18:24:47)
NYI fan central you obviously have never been to your arena or the MSG because MSG has sold our for something like 5 seasons in arow. O and i cant wait until your failure of a franchise is somewhere in the south still managing to do better then it is now

NYI Fan Central (Posted 2008-09-15 18:09:46)
Msg faithful? More like a half empty garden and a lot of empty seats downstairs unless the Isles are the opposition and their fans are in Msg. If Sather gave him a tryout like the Rangers signed Tibbetts it would not get this kind of negative play and he only got an invite to camp. Craig MacTavish is a man convicted of vehicular homocide and we see no articles about his ilk or being allowed to coach an NHL team.

Brian P (Posted 2008-09-15 17:24:01)
I would imagine that Sugden will play all of the Isles preseason games that are against their division rivals, fight as many guys as possible, and if he hurts someone who would've been a regular on one of those teams he'll have more than served the purpose the Isles had in mind for bringing him to camp. The Isles aren't the first to do it, and they won't be the last.

Chet Nazarack (Posted 2008-09-15 16:52:31)
Gimme a break. Hey Ken, hes called an enforcer. And if it werent for enforcers youd have 11 guys skating around on a sheet of ice with sticks in their hands trying to police the games that way. You act like this guys gonna jump on the ice and just start punching whoever he sees. How many injuries have you seen in hockey come from a fight? How many have you seen come from a hit from behind or with a stick?? Hence, the enforcer. They make sure those plays like a hit from behind or a cheap shot with a stick doesnt happen and if it does then two people will be forced to settle it like men with their fists. And if you dont want to fight in hockey, you dont have to. So stop talkin like Sugden is gonna go run after 5'10" goal scorers. Fighting is a necessary element in hockey, it always has been. If fighting were taken out of the game you would see a lot more incidents involving the sticks. Then all the bad publicity that fighting gets in hockey from people who know nothing about hockey will be magnified 100x for a diff reason

Darren (Posted 2008-09-15 16:25:27)
Ken (and all others at THN) - my condolences for the loss of an esteemed colleague.