Jail, prison, the slammer, the big house, the hoosegow. Whatever you want to call it, Henry Samueli, owner of the Anaheim Ducks, won't spend one minute inside of one.
As has been previously reported, Samueli has agreed to plead guilty for lying to federal authorities regarding a stock scam involving the company he co-founded, Broadcom.
What he does get is five years probation and 12 million dollars in fines, a slap on the wrist but also a black eye for the NHL.
That's why NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was quick to suspend Samueli indefinitely from the NHL, meaning he can not have any involvement with the league or his team. Samueli's wife, a co-owner of the team, has agreed to also abide by Bettman's decision.
According to NHL.com, Michael Schulman..."will serve as the Club’s governor and will be responsible for managing the operations of the Club, reporting to the Commissioner."
After what has been a dynamite year for the NHL, this news comes as a bit of a setback. Admittedly, this isn't earth-shattering, banner headline-type stuff, but when you're struggling to find an audience, particularly in the US, it doesn't help. One bad apple can easily spoil the bounty reaped from games five and six of this season's Stanley Cup final.
- B/R Ticket Guide
There is a way Bettman can make this bad situation better, though, one that would make a lot of rabid hockey fans very happy.
Rumors abound that Ducks' general manager Brian Burke wants to go to Toronto and be the Maple Leafs GM. Burke, however, has one year left on his contract. What to do?
Simple. Bettman can now go to Schulman and order him to let Burke out of his contract.
Let's face it, Anaheim is no hockey mecca and I can't imagine I'm insulting anybody by saying that. Toronto, on the other hand, bleeds only blue and white. Love 'em or hate 'em, the Leafs garner that kind of support in their hometown.
Toronto is a parched city, desiring nothing less than a gulp of expensive champagne poured down the gullet from hockey's Holy Grail. Burke can get that done.
Burke has stated in the past that he's not interested in Toronto. Speaking to TSN's Michael Landsberg in a terse interview on Off the Record in January, Burke made it abundantly clear he was not pushing to get the gig, had never spoken to the Leafs, and was quite happy to stay in Anaheim.
That same month, as the rumor started picking up speed, it was reported that Samueli and his wife were likely to pony up the cash, upwards of three million a year, to keep Burke as the GM.
Life is funny, isn't it?
The only cash Samueli is going to pony up now is 12 million buck fine and the kind of legal fees one pays in exchange for such a light sentence.
All of this leaves Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs in an interesting position. Toronto wants him, Anaheim no longer has any say about him, and Burke would, despite past denials, take the helm if only to be closer to his family.
The question remains, however, will Bettman force Anaheim's hand and make his number one Canadian team happy?
He has to move fast, though. Toronto GM Cliff Fletcher may not be willing to wait another season to get the GM the team needs.
Fletcher has been a busy man of late, making moves, offering deals, and releasing contracts in order to make the Leafs a winner. Will he want the helm for another season?
Bettman is the warden in this situation, holding the keys to Burke's cell. If he orders Anaheim to let him go, the Leafs 41 year sentence may soon be coming to an end.
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5 months ago
It is an ideal situation, and very insightful; but I don't think it's as quick and simple as that. What does Bettman have to gain by letting the Leafs have Burke? With or without Burke, Toronto is still going to bleed those bittersweet colours. What's in it for Betty?
5 months ago
You're right, it isn't that simple. What Bettman gets, perhaps, is some respect from fans by quickly addressing the situation in both Anaheim and Toronto. Instead of speculation and rumour hounding both teams throughout the season, it's dealt with now allowing both teams to move forward.
5 months ago
What does Samueli's poor legal decision have to do with Burke's contract? Plus Burke has never made a public statement of him wanting to go to Toronto...this is just plain stupid. Just further spreading of useless rumors and hope that Burke will somehow go this year. Why not be glad to have Schenn, and other great draft picks? Why does Toronto's success lie with a man who has a job currently, and will until next year, possibly longer if he chooses to take the extension. He's said hes happy in Anaheim, leave the man alone.
from 4 months ago
Do you know how to debate reasonably? Apparently not, if the best you can say is, "this is just plain stupid".
Feel free to make your points and counterpoints - I ALWAYS welcome debate - but do it intelligently and without insult. No wonder many people are hesitant to post opinion pieces on this site.
5 months ago
He is contracted to the Ducks ...nothing has changed ...get over it ...jeesh.
5 months ago
This is ridiculous!!! Burke is fine just where he is and he's not going anywhere...!!! These rumours about Burke are just crap and have nothing to do with Samueli.
Now this was a really stupid comment to make: "Anaheim is no hockey mecca and I can't imagine I'm insulting anybody by saying that. Toronto, on the other hand, bleeds only blue and white. "
You are insulting those of us who LOVE our team and are passionate about our team! No Leaf fan can be more passionate than me! I'm sick and tired of everyone and their mama looking down on Anaheim and the Ducks. They win the Cup and they're STILL not garnering the respect they deserve!
Leafs fans love their team - I get that, but don't be so quick to discount those of us here in Anaheim. Just because CA isn't focused on hockey doesn't mean there aren't any passionate hockey fans around!!
So yeah... you are insulting someone.... probably quite a few people!!!
from 4 months ago
Let's face it, Anaheim is not Toronto. That's not a dig at Anaheim OR it's fans, it's just the truth. I'm not discounting any one who roots for the Ducks.
I have to assume you've never been to Toronto - or Montreal for that matter - where the pressure on the teams is unparalleled. Both cities live and die by their hockey club. I doubt the city of Anaheim does. Sure, many Ducks fans probably do but the entire city? No way.
THAT'S what I mean by a hockey mecca and I will go out on a limb and say only Montreal and Toronto fit that description.
from 4 months ago
And New York. The CITY may not bleed it, but New York is a pretty big hockey mecca for the states, as is Detroit.
5 months ago
I disagree, I don't find that comment insulting. He just stated that it is no hockey mecca. That isn't to say that there are not zealous and feisty Ducks fans that support their team and bleed allegiance. Don't get so agitated over a compare and contrast statement.
But back on topic, I don't think this subject is balogna, Burke is still a valid topic of discussion. Just because he has "stated that he is happy in Anaheim", means nothing. That's like saying Cliff Fletcher's introduction statements as interim GM and Peddie's lips mouthing Fletch's words meant nothing. We all know that in major league sports, professionals tread lightly on their comments to the media.
Now ask yourself, what is Burke supposed to say? "This place is garbage, I can't wait to get out of this organization"? You can't fire up the media or your own establishment, so no one's sure what his thoughts are. NO ONE can deny it is rather "interesting" (to say the least) that Ducks ownership was attempting to keep Burke on board for a few more years as the rumours started gaining momentum and media attention; or that the leafs hired Ron Wilson as coach, who happens to be best friends with Burke (isn't Wilson or Burke godfather to one of their daughters? THAT'S how close they are).
All I'm attempting to say is that you can't immediately rule out "The Burke Conspiracy" simply over what he stated and the fact he has a year left on his contract. The job of the media is to speculate and point out details that might lead to a MUCH bigger picture. That is precisely what this Burke thing is all about.
5 months ago
P.S.
As to the comment about being excited and settled that the Leafs picked up Schenn and are rebuilding properly, I respond with this: do you really want to read about that crap? Can you imagine what this website, as well as other sports sites (thehockeynews.com, realgm.com, etc.) would be like? Incredibly boring. I don't want to read 300 different perspectives on how happy someone is that their team is going in the right direction. I want to read about speculation, rumours, updates, reviews and recaps, opinions.
4 months ago
Chandler ... fair enough. I'll give you Detroit but I'm not sure about New York because they have the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Giants, Jets and Islanders along with the Rangers. That's a crowded docket there but yes, I would venture to say New York and Detroit are close to Toronto and Montreal in terms of hockey dedication.
And thanks for backing me up!
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