NHL cracking down on trash talk 'across the board'
Chirping on NHL ice has been part of the game for as long as players have laced up their skates.
But sometimes that trash talk crosses the line from competitive banter to offensive.
Thus, the NHL is cracking down on language “across the board,” NHL senior vice president Colin Campbell told The Toronto Star.
“And, giving the players credit, they are much more in touch with what they can and can’t say today,” Campbell said. “They know that they are being monitored in every possible way today.”
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Social media has accentuated sensitivity at a time when microphones and cameras are everywhere. What is said, mouthed or gestured is now replayed instantly and repeatedly.
Lightning GM and former player Steve Yzerman told the newspaper: “We see it every day, whether it’s hockey or around the world. What was said 20 years ago isn’t acceptable. Not that it was acceptable then, it was tolerated.
“You have to watch what you say. That’s probably a good thing.”
The NHL has run into problems with players’ language before. In last year’s playoffs, Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf uttered a homophobic slur from the bench after being frustrated with an official. He was fined $10,000.
The year before, also in the playoffs, Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw yelled a homophobic slur, in addition to raising both middle fingers, at an official after he was called for a penalty. He was suspended one game and fined $5,000.
“When you get in the heat of the moment, you try to tone it down a little bit," Leafs center Nazem Kadri said. “Understand there are younger people watching. You don’t want to be a bad example. Maybe when the cameras aren’t on you away from the play you can get something in. You definitely have to be more aware.”