The New York Rangers have received a $250,000 fine from the NHL for their public comments on Tuesday, following the decision from the Department of Player Safety to not suspend Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson. The team called for the dismissal of DoPS head George Parros and will now pay a fine 50 times greater than the one they issued to Wilson in the first place.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released this statement:
Public comments of the nature issued by the Rangers that were personal in nature and demeaning of a League executive will not be tolerated. While we don’t expect our Clubs to agree with every decision rendered by the Department of Player Safety, the extent to which the Rangers expressed their disagreement was unacceptable. It is terribly unfair to question George Parros’ professionalism and dedication to his role and the Department of Player Safety.
The Rangers have been a whirlwind of chaos since Wilson punched Pavel Buchnevich and threw Artemi Panarin to the ground on Monday night. They followed the statement by firing president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton, though senior advisor Glenn Sather told reporters again today that the two incidents had nothing to do with each other. Last night, the Rangers tried to take matters into their own hands by responding physically in a rematch with the Capitals, taking more than 80 minutes in penalties. Buchnevich also is expected to receive a suspension after high-sticking Capitals forward Anthony Mantha.
The league has issued fines like this in the past. During the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs the San Jose Sharks were fined $100,000 for GM Doug Wilson’s comments on the suspension given to Raffi Torres. In that case, it was a manager defending the actions of one of his players, but the two situations are still very similar when it comes to the punishment handed down by the league.
At the very least, this indicates that the league is standing behind Parros and his department leadership (though that should come as no surprise).
I called it
That 50 x more than Tom Wilson
It’s a joke that Wilson wasn’t suspended and it’s a joke that Parros is running DoPS. Also, when someone in a PLAYER SAFETY department fails to take proper action (in this case suspending a player) then it is absolutely appropriate to question their fitness for the job. Also Lol at “demeaning.” The NHL has its head right up its own rear ends.
LGR! lol
Tom Wilson is a maniac and a goon. He’s an over and over repeat offender and got nothing. At the very least should have been gone for the playoffs.
And who do you think are the only ones on Wilsons side? The blind sheep Capital fans.
The NHL has become a meme.
@aloop Well said shot on goal. As someone else said, hockey will, unfortunately, remain #5 popularity-wise in the states as long as “players” like Wilson remain in the game go unpunished or let off with a slap on the wrist.
How about the next time Wilson injures another player, his suspension is the same length of time that player is injured and Wilson’s fine equals the injured players salary during the time missed?!
Rangers already wired the money. Well worth the publicity to their fan base that they were open about the issue.
There’s a comments section that also transmits to prevent DK’s regarding wires. Makers me wonder what they added there. Don Parros. Lord Commander Parros. $50X TW. I hope they got clever with that part of the wire.
If I’m the Rangers I’d keep it up. Just give a massive finger to the idea of putting an enforcer in that role. Keep the pressure on. Dolan can pay the fines, he has the money.
As a Knicks and Rangers fan, I hate Dolan, but for once am really hoping his pettiness and sensitivity comes through. This is a guy who will release public statements calling people (former players, fans, reporters) alcoholics and insulting them. Come on, Dolan! Let your douche flag fly!
Start a go fund me account to pay for it !
What a joke! I hope no one gets Bertuzzi’d due to the incompetence of the NHL player safety department.
Same. Maybe if the Rangers publicly put a bounty on his head but they didn’t stoop that low. Thankfully Bertuzzi wasn’t banned for life so he could sign 5 years worth of paychecks over to Moore. I never understood why my Avs didn’t have Moore at the pepsi can everytime Vancouver came to town as Bertuzzi being in the same building would have been in violation of the court ordered restraining order.
Sell jerseys with $250k on the back
@Keithg813 – And an equal number of “Bite Me, Bettman!” jerseys, too! :)
“It is terribly unfair to question George Parros’ professionalism and dedication to his role and the Department of Player Safety.”
That’s hilarious, Gary. When’s your next open-mic night?
It was a $250,000 and fire your prez of hockey and gm immediately fine
They were being fired anyways and the statement was put out by Dolan, not the GM or President.
Instead of fining Dolan,they should make him sell the team
100% with the Rangers for the public comments. The fine shows how weak the league admin is in accepting responsibility for gross error.
Anytime Parros and/or Bettman ever make public appearances they should be booed until they leave. See if that gets how fans feel across to them.
If I were them I wouldn’t ever eat out. Any fan of hockey working at a restaurant would likely be adding ‘special ingredients’ to their food.
I hope other GMs weigh in on the situation. I’m sure they’ve all received a ‘memo’ to be disciplined about it
@KAR 120C – Excellent idea about eating out, number six. The new NHL-created epidemic? Bettman’s Revenge with a side of George.
Bettman gets booed every where he goes. now it’ll probably get worse. Parros has all those golf outings where Wilson has appeared so there’s that also. the NHL will always be the #5 sport with Bettman at the helm.
Speaking out and speaking the truth gets you fined. Sounds about right today
If I was Dolan, I would make another press release regarding the fine. Saying something like “As an owner of a team that pays Gary Bettmann’s salary, I reluctantly pay the fine issued because I called out the league’s incompetence in issuing discipline for illegal play in a game. At this time, I will be looking into paying the commissioner at a reduced rate of about 250k per season going forward, or replacing him with someone competent going forward.”
What a messed up (I had a different word) world where if you are asked to be accountable to your job duties you get so offended that you fine someone a quarter million dollars
I’m offended by this comment and think you should send me $250k :-)
BEST 1/4 MILLION DOLAN EVER SPENT!!
He TOLD THE TRUTH!!!
Perhaps Wilson should get an invite to the old blue seats. Then I’d call it even.