Gamesmanship vs Good Taste

Friday, March 25, 2011 ·

On the surface Mark Recchi's comments about the Montreal Canadiens on a Boston radio station were absurd and moronic. By saying, "they were trying to get Zdeno suspended and they embellished it a little bit", Recchi called into question how serious the organization believed Pacioretty's injuries really were. Who's charged with making that determination for the Montreal Canadiens? Dr. David Mulder, and this is the part where the words absurd and moronic come in.

Yesterday, I said Mark Recchi's comments were dumb, but he deserved a mulligan for his outstanding track record on and off the ice over a so far 22 year hall of fame career. I still believe that, and I was glad to see the classy vet own up to his "gamesmanship" last night.



However, my question now is, when does "gamesmanship" go to far? When is it inappropriate? When doesn't the ends justify the means?

In an effort to take some pressure of a co-worker, is it in good taste that Mark Recchi lied about his true feelings and in the process questioned the integrity of another organization and indirectly their physician?

This isn't the first and certainly won't be the last time these games are played. I think we all know the script. Player/Coach says/does something outrageous, questions and opinions ensue, it is later revealed it was "gamesmanship" and player/coach takes offence to anyone that believed their lie. Yawn

Just my opinion, but I think there is a "good taste line" when it comes to "gamesmanship". Whether or not Recchi crossed that line? To each their own.

2 comments:

Eric Macramalla said...
March 26, 2011 at 9:31 AM  

Recchi said that he made the commments to divert attention away from Chara in advance of the big game (a game that went nowhere like a Lindsay [formerly known as Lohan] audition). If that is the case, which may not be, his choice of words was so clearly imflammatory that one must question is diversion tactics. His wife, Alexa, is handsome, so I forgive him though.

Woody said...
March 28, 2011 at 12:39 PM  

I would have done the same as Recchi - no question.
The fact that Max was out and about a couple of days after the incident is enough to question Montreal's intent.

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Welcome to my Healthy Scratches blog. You can hear Jason York and myself weekdays from 3-6 on Team 1200. I use this blog to expand upon some of the things we talk about on the show, and anything else that really pops into my ample head.
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