Jeremy Roenick's Offside Comments

I have to admit, I’m still scratching my head over NHL veteran and 500-plus goal scorer Jeremy Roenick's remarks.

What was he trying to accomplish with his ill-timed comments regarding Detroit Red Wings veteran defenseman Chris Chelios and Wings coach Mike Babcock?

Over the years I’ve enjoyed the colorful side of Roenick’s personality, which I believed was good for the game.

There is no denying that this former 1988 Chicago Blackhawks first round pick has, with 513 career goals, enjoyed an All-Star career. He has always been known as someone who stuck up for teammates, and for never meeting a microphone he didn’t like.

That being said, the 39 year-old, who is now playing for the San Jose Sharks, caused some fireworks within the Red Wings organization when, after game two of the Western Conference Final, he made some controversial comments on a Chicago radio station.

After Detroit took a 2-0 series lead over the Blackhawks, Roenick, who in his career has played for Chicago, the Phoenix Coyotes, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Los Angeles Kings, and the the San Jose Sharks, accused Babcock of not playing Chelios because he’s American.

To say that Babcock, who has sons born in the states, was livid is a complete understatement.

“Yeah it bothered me, because it’s a blatant lie,” Babcock, who has been the Red Wings coach since 2005, said. “But the problem we have here is that we’re talking about something that isn’t current in hockey right now.”

Why Roenick made those public accusations and the timing of them really baffles me. This is the most exciting time of the playoffs and what Roenick did was shed negative light on an organization he is not even involved with. 

Meanwhile, the 47 year-old Chelios, who could possibly be a first ballot Hall Of Famer, showed his sense of humor when he heard about what Roenick said.

“I was sitting over at the pancake place this morning with the coaches and Cheli walked over and said, ‘I think I should bring you an apple,’" Babcock joked. 

Chelios, who has sat out the first three games, insists that his relationship with Babcock is great and that there are no problems. In terms of what Roenick said, Chelios didn’t give it a second thought.

“I’m very happy here in Detroit, I always have been. J.R. says stuff. He called me and said he’s sorry,” Chelios, who played in 28 games this past season, said. “You always say stuff that you don’t realize. It got blown up to this, but it’s really nothing.”

My suggestion to J.R. is to get your nose out of other people’s business and not to cause controversy with outlandish public remarks.