First of all, screw the Leafs. Dumb trade to begin with, even though their blinded fans said they loved it when it happened. 3.5 million dollar cancer on the salary cap, who is now not even playing (probably a blessing). As I've already said many times, this trade is horrible and it looks worse by the minute, The Laffs gave up almost all their meaningful 2007 draft picks, a price much to high for an unproven starting goalie and a cancer.
I would also like to say I have absolutely no idea why Bell has been suspended. It has been a whole year (or more) since the incident happened and the NHL did nothing back then. But now that the court gives him a 6 month suspended sentence, the NHL suspends him indefinately. What the hell's going on?
2007-09-03 17:39:30 · 8 answers · asked by formerlysuspendedguy 4 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Some new information...
Bell's plea in August that accepted the charges is what qualified the NHL to place him in stage two of the substance abuse program.
Players suspended by either the team or the NHL will not count against the salary cap for the duration of the suspension. This means the Leafs have $2.2 million dollars free as it stands.
However, don't jump the gun too much here. If Bell's claim that he has been alcohol-free since the incident last summer holds true, substance abuse program doctors may recommend his reinstatement sooner rather than later.
2007-09-04 04:09:12 · update #1
The Leafs suffered a disappointing season, and as is past tradition for the Leafs, they blamed the Goaltender, and traded off their young prospects, keeping the overpaid veterans (Sundin is a decent player, but overpaid), in an attempt to fix the problem.
With few prospects out there for trade, they opted to trade for Toskala. The sharks wanting to unload Bell, who was disappoing for them last season, made it a condition that if they wanted Toskala, they had to take Bell (who played much better on the Leafs in previous years), so they didn't have much choice, other than to try for another Goaltender elsewhere, or to remain with Raycroft and pretend there isn't a problem.
The leafs are also able to delay giving away next years first round draftpick for one the following year instead, if there is someone they really don't want to miss out on drafting.
Was it a good trade ? I guess that depends on how well Toskala plays... I doubt the leafs could do much worse than last season... Mark Bell is also only signed for 4.5 million for 2 years, so thats only 2.25 million against the salary cap.
Keep in mind, that the leafs also have a history of only doing enough to make the playoffs, never enough to win. Everyone knows it before the season even begins.
I suspect the changes will be just enough to keep the Leafs from being eliminated by 1 point as happened last season. So we can look forward to watching them be eliminated in the first or second round as always.
2007-09-04 07:40:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indefinitely because he is in the hands of the doctors now.
It reads to me like he is suspended and entered a substance abuse program for drinking now! Not his DUI, but they are always going to add those details to the end of any story. After the incident and conviction you would expect him to smarten up. This is more of a Theo Fleury type case.
Edit: I stand corrected. Looks like there is a relation between the suspension and him pleading guilty. As it is the Leafs, I do wonder if they are thinking twice about Bell as a part of the trade they made.
2007-09-04 02:54:14 · answer #2 · answered by JuanB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MD, try this:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=217553&hubname=
Seems a little harsh for no injury accident.
I don't know any Leaf fans who thought getting Bell was a good idea. Leafs gave up first, second and a fourth round pick in 2 years. Except for Esposito, (who was not expected to be available) who was left of value that will probably be better than Toskala with a 13'th pick.
2007-09-04 02:22:26 · answer #3 · answered by cme 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Key words "now in the hands of the doctor's". I think there is more to this story than just drinking. If not, then why didn't the Staal brothers get suspended indefinitely?
2007-09-04 03:37:22 · answer #4 · answered by 7th man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heatley killed a guy. No suspension was given. If no suspension is given in that case, than no suspension will be given to Bell. Let the courts handle his punishment.
2007-09-04 02:03:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you provide a link where the NHL have suspended him?
2007-09-04 01:34:52 · answer #6 · answered by M D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I disagree w/the NHL suspending him indefinately. I'd be pizzed if I were him. It's not like he tortured + killed dogs.
He got one DUI and nobody (thankfully) was hurt.
2007-09-04 00:45:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There were injuries.
2007-09-04 11:28:28 · answer #8 · answered by Fizz401 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋