The NHL has done nothing to show it has an efficient and swift system of justice in addressing last Friday’s stick-swinging incident between Blackhawk Steve Smith and Tampa Bay’s Denis Savard. A decision was delayed again Wednesday and no reason given.
NHL vice president Brian Burke discussed the incident Wednesday morning with Smith, who was on a phone to the league office outside the visitors’ dressing room at Edmonton’s Northlands Coliseum.
“He just wanted my side of the story,” Smith said. “What happened is definitely a negative for the NHL and not something that’s going to help them promote the game. I knew as soon as I’d reacted to Savard hitting me with his stick that it was the wrong thing to do. But it was a reaction, impossible to stop.”
Still serving an indefinite suspension, Smith was sidelined his first game Wednesday night against Edmonton.
– Backup goalie Jeff Hackett was holding his head in his hands in mental anguish after being worked out hard at Wednesday’s practice by goalie coach Phil Myre. Hackett is publicly holding his tongue but privately talking about how Ed Belfour is selfish in wanting to play all the games while he sits.
“They’re going to lose him if they’re not careful,” a Hawk player said about Hackett.
Hackett had hoped to play against the Oilers but has now been promised by coach Darryl Sutter that he will get his first start since Oct. 30 on Friday night in Calgary. It will be his third start this season.
– Sutter said he was “tentative” about agreeing to let Chris Chelios play Wednesday with a sore groin. “But he said it isn’t bothering him and he wants to play, so I’m going with the player,” Sutter said.
The fact the Hawks were missing Smith made it easier for Sutter to accept Chelios’ willingness to play. But he was taking a risk with a defenseman whose groin was bad enough Tuesday that he left after 10 minutes of practice.