I’ve been having an interesting conversation with NHLDigest.com on their facebook page regarding Minnesota Wild forward, Martin Havlat and his not-so-kind words about the Chicago Blackhawks (namely team President John McDonough) and the treatment of former Hawks GM Dale Tallon.
For anyone who’s unaware of the comments Havlat’s comments, here’s the basic jist:
- Havlat really wanted to stay in Chicago and was hopeful about resigning with the Blackhawks.
- Chicago goes out and signs Marian Hossa to a big time 12 year deal, while Havlat remains unsigned.
- Havlat strikes a 6 year deal with the Minnesota Wild and tells fans via twitter “The real story about what happened in Chicago to come out”.
- Approximately 9 minutes later, Havlat tweets the following “There’s something to be said for loyalty and honor”. Hmmm, interesting.
- On Tuesday July 14th, Dale Tallon is moved from Blackhawks GM to Senior Hockey Operations Advisor and replace with Stan Bowman (son of the great Scottie Bowman).
- This prompts Havlat to tweet “I guess everyone saw what happened to Dale….yes, the story is starting to come out but it’s just the tip of the iceberg”.
- Havlat goes on to say Tallon is like a 2nd father to him and his contract negotiations stalled with Chicago largely because McDonough wanted ‘his’ guys, not Tallon’s guys.
There’s a bit more, but that’s the highlights. So it leads me to ask the question, should Martin Havlat really be telling the whole world about this?
As a fan of the NHL and the Hawks, I appreciate the insight Havlat is bringing. But I have to wonder what his motives are with his twittering/TSN interviews with Darren Dreger. I get he’s angry, but he’s not the only NHL player to get caught up in organizational politics. He is, however, one of few to come out this candidly about the situation.
I question the ethics here. I mean, is he breaking hockey player code by leaking out this info – regardless of its truth? Again, he’s not the first player something like this has happened to. If I was a member of the Minnesota Wild and their organization, I think I’d be wondering what kind of baggage Havlat might be bringing, why his focus isn’t on the Wild and if he’s going to say the same things when his 6 year $30 Million contract expires.
I like Martin Havlat, but is he crossing the line here?
Stay classy, Martin Havlat.
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We’re on the same level here today dude, I just spent my afternoon putting together my thoughts on Havlat.
I’m all for athletes using Twitter, I think it adds to the fan experience and brings everyone closer to the game. I think Havlat overstepped some boundaries. I’m sure if John McDonough had a Twitter account and a huge mouth then he would have had some pretty interesting things to say about Martin Havlat, but he didn’t because that shit stays behind closed doors… among professionals anyway.
My only thoughts on this, and I don’t necessarily disagree, is that he must have felt really slighted to tweet all of that. In any case, I think when they fired their coach early in the year, a couple different camps might have emerged in Chicago. Remember how upset Toews or Kane was (I forget who was crying)? It actually might run pretty deep there.
Some pretty sweet tweet there…. possibly cream of tweet.
I think the team needs a SM policy about what you can or can’t tweet about when it comes to work. When he is getting angry about office politics and then speaks about it. There is a fine line of what can and can’t be said.
When you are looking for a job in the “workplace” you can not say things because it might come off as bad for the common person. It should be like that for an NHL player as well. IF you say something bad in a blog about the last place you worked, well it is going to come back and haunt you… So you better watch what you say because Google doesn’t forget.
I guess this is my stand on Havlat. He was voicing his opinions about his last boss and the last place he worked. He needs to obide by the same rules the normal person does as far as the last place you worked.
Jamie, I get what you are saying here.
I think the league might be smart to look into a policy on what’s considered appropriate, more than any particular team. That’s just my thoughts…
You’re right – Google doesn’t forget you… unless you are a world class talent that teams need regardless of attitude. Afterall, Dany Heatley will have a job next year, despite his recent actions and demands.