Speculation: 2022-23 Roster Thread

[The Mighty Duck Man]

It just seems silly that the internet detectives are automatically eliminating from suspicion anyone who has put out a statement. Like no one who has committed a crime has ever lied about it.

The six guys with the same lawyer didn't even really have much of a denial, they released a very lawyered-up statement where you can argue they didn't deny anything. But then apparently two of the six weren't even there, kind of bizarre.

 

[Bender66]

I don't see the comparison at all between the two unless by Nick Ritchie 2.0 you mean disappointing for where he was drafted... Which is fair.

He needs to learn the details. Win board battles, read plays better to cut off clearing passes from dmen behind the net, become at least avg in d zone cov, get better at faceoffs, etc etc etc . All the things young players need to learn, that NR never learned.

There are signs that he can become a force in O-zone, he was one of the only ones consistently driving the net and parking his large posterior in front of the net in his short stint, but so did NR....

 

[bsu]

He needs to learn the details. Win board battles, read plays better to cut off clearing passes from dmen behind the net, become at least avg in d zone cov, get better at faceoffs, etc etc etc . All the things young players need to learn, that NR never learned.

There are signs that he can become a force in O-zone, he was one of the only ones consistently driving the net and parking his large posterior in front of the net in his short stint, but so did NR....

I watched McTavish a lot, he's really good at most of those things. He's underrated offensively and overrated defensively IMO. Biggest concern is going to be pace and adapting to men vs teenagers.

 

[Rybread86]

Has the incident been revealed? Or is it just known to be some kind of sexual assault?

Cliff notes version: Player 1 meets girl at hotel bar and buys her drinks. They got up to his room and have their fun. Player 1 then invites players 2-8 into the room. They then sexually assault her and shes unable to consent due to being drunk. She tries to leave and they dont let her go.

 

[Bender66]

Cliff notes version: Player 1 meets girl at hotel bar and buys her drinks. They got up to his room and have their fun. Player 1 then invites players 2-8 into the room. They then sexually assault her and shes unable to consent due to being drunk. She tries to leave and they dont let her go.

 

[bsu]

Twitter is running wild with this...

 

[bsu]

Strome's leadership, adding a blueliner and more takeaways from Pat Verbeek's availability

The Ducks GM addressed several topics during his first formal availability after the start of free agency.

theathletic.com

Next summer might not be as dire for him and his young core pieces Terry, Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. But the current contracts for all three are slated to end then. Terry will be working on his third contract after signing a three-year bridge deal in 2020 while Zegras and Drysdale will be finishing their rookie contracts.

Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras. (Orlando Ramirez / USA Today)
The Ducks can start negotiating extensions with all three. But Verbeek is in no rush. Contracts for the three could involve huge raises, which is one reason why the club will want to keep plenty of future cap space available. CapFriendly has them with $35.6 million committed for 2023-24 with the cap projected to be at $83.5 million.

“I’m going to be patient when it comes to that,” Verbeek said. “I’ve only had a couple months with these guys. It’s been a small sample size, so I want to be able to have longer runway and a bigger sample size before I start committing to doing that stuff.”

 

[All Mighty]

 

[Terry Yake]

Arnt steel and comtois 2 of the very few
players that have commented about it?

steel's agent released a statement on his behalf. don't think comtois has said anything

 

[duckpuck]

Cliff notes version: Player 1 meets girl at hotel bar and buys her drinks. They got up to his room and have their fun. Player 1 then invites players 2-8 into the room. They then sexually assault her and shes unable to consent due to being drunk. She tries to leave and they dont let her go.

If those are the specific allegations (not sure they are), I would point out that at this point they are uncorroborated/disputed. There's a thread somewhere on the main boards rehashing this - haven't checked it in weeks. But we know that at the time, the players involved claimed that whatever happened was all consensual and that no chargers were ever filed.

Bottom line there is an allegation that a sexual assault occurred by multiple players. If its true, its awful and they should be arrested, etc. But we don't know yet if its true - hopefully more facts will come out with the renewed investigations.

 

[bsu]

I'm just going to guess at this point that Comtois is involved... People aren't going to make statements like that and be involved... They would look like even more scum... The number is dwindling down. Who knows still I'm not going to hold it against him until it's confirmed just taking a guess.

 

[Kalv]

I'm just going to guess at this point that Comtois is involved... People aren't going to make statements like that and be involved... They would look like even more scum... The number is dwindling down. Who knows still I'm not going to hold it against him until it's confirmed just taking a guess.

Also, apparently 2 players were 1999. Thomas already came out to not be, while Comtois and Forementon are the last to be that year on that juniors team. It is not looking good with Comtois

 

[Ducks DVM]

Let’s be VERY careful about making libelous statements please. Have a source of you’re going to make strong statements about who do what to whom. The main boards thread is not a source.

 

[ADHB]

Also, apparently 2 players were 1999. Thomas already came out to not be, while Comtois and Forementon are the last to be that year on that juniors team. It is not looking good with Comtois

Again, not everyone who was involved was on the world juniors team. All that has been said is that “some” were, which could be as few as 2 players. No one knows. So I wish people would quit trying to deduct things from statements and then looking at a roster.

Not directed at you specifically, just in general.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

Again, not everyone who was involved was on the world juniors team. All that has been said is that “some” were, which could be as few as 2 players. No one knows. So I wish people would quit trying to deduct things from statements and then looking at a roster.

Not directed at you specifically, just in general.

I'd everyone who's currently released a public denial is taken at their word the internet sleuthing is already wrong given I believe we're down to 7 players on the team. I'm guessing there's gonna be more. So yeah, this isn't the way on this one.

 

[GreatBear]

I have done very sensitive investigations in the past regarding behavior and activities of employees. Much of the time the rumors about what happened and who did what were wrong. No one should draw any conclusions of any sort until the investigation is completed and the results announced, assuming that they are announced. Nothing on the Internet, or this message board, should be considered a reliable source unless it is commentary on an official report, and people should not draw conclusions about who was involved and what, exactly was done that was improper until that report is available. Speculation before then is unfair to everyone involved.

 

[Rybread86]

If those are the specific allegations (not sure they are), I would point out that at this point they are uncorroborated/disputed. There's a thread somewhere on the main boards rehashing this - haven't checked it in weeks. But we know that at the time, the players involved claimed that whatever happened was all consensual and that no chargers were ever filed.

Bottom line there is an allegation that a sexual assault occurred by multiple players. If its true, its awful and they should be arrested, etc. But we don't know yet if its true - hopefully more facts will come out with the renewed investigations.

Its what I read here:

Hockey Canada scandal, explained: Why the organization is reopening investigation into 2018 sexual assault lawsuit | Sporting News

A woman claims that members of the CHL and Hockey Canada sexually assaulted her in 2018.

www.sportingnews.com

Hockey Canada, CHL settle lawsuit over alleged sexual assault involving World Junior players - TSN.ca

A woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight Canadian Hockey League players, including members of Canada’s gold medal-winning 2017-18 World Junior team, has agreed to drop a lawsuit against the players, Hockey Canada, and the CHL after reaching a settlement.

www.tsn.ca

But you are 100% right in that this isnt fact, its just a claim. I also dont know how the Canadian legal system works, so no idea if they have the same due process or statute of limitations that we have in the US.

Whats odd to me is isnt being criminally prosecuted, from what I understand. Like you said, if this is true, there should be criminal charges.

Its also odd that the plaintiff chose not to speak to police or the private investigators or name any of the players involved.

It sounds like the only reason this came back up was because of political and financial pressure. I know Hockey Canada settled the matter originally, but often times its just cheaper to do so than go through a full court case. She asked for $6.9mil. She likely accepted less at part of the settlement.

I hate situations like this because there is so much wrong with it on so many levels. Athletes are targeted for fame and $$. Fans can be overtaken with excitement and do things they regret. Players can also have huge egos and force things because "Im a rockstar, of course he/she wants it". Unless you have video evidence or a full confession, good luck proving anything, right or wrong.

 

[Deuce22]

Guilty used to mean evidence presented to a judge or jury and then evaluated and decided upon. Now it’s an accusation with no criminal charges filed and keyboard sleuths passing judgement.

 

[Rybread86]

Guilty used to mean evidence presented to a judge or jury and then evaluated and decided upon. Now it’s an accusation with no criminal charges filed and keyboard sleuths passing judgement.

sad aint it?

 

[duckpuck]

I have done very sensitive investigations in the past regarding behavior and activities of employees. Much of the time the rumors about what happened and who did what were wrong. No one should draw any conclusions of any sort until the investigation is completed and the results announced, assuming that they are announced. Nothing on the Internet, or this message board, should be considered a reliable source unless it is commentary on an official report, and people should not draw conclusions about who was involved and what, exactly was done that was improper until that report is available. Speculation before then is unfair to everyone involved.

This is good advice.

One thought - what if the players under investigation didn't/don't know that? From the athletic article:

NHL investigating lawsuit against Hockey Canada, CHL

The lawsuit alleges that eight hockey players, including some members of Hockey Canada’s World Junior Team, sexually assaulted a young woman in 2018.

theathletic.com

"Hockey Canada, in a statement provided to TSN on Thursday, said:

“Hockey Canada is deeply troubled by the very serious allegations of sexual assault regarding members of the 2017-18 National Junior Hockey Team,” Hockey Canada’s spokeswoman Esther Madziya Madziya wrote in a statement to TSN. “As soon as Hockey Canada became aware of this matter in 2018, we contacted local police authorities to inform them. The same day, we also retained Henein Hutchison LLP, a firm with extensive experience in this area, to undertake a thorough independent internal investigation and make recommendations on areas for improvement which we have been implementing and will continue to pursue.

“The person bringing the allegations forward chose not to speak with either police or with Hockey Canada’s independent investigator and also chose not to identify the players involved. This was her right, and we fully respect her wishes. We have settled this matter and as part of that settlement, we will not be commenting further.”

_______________________

It is entirely possible that: (i) Hockey Canada and the police never (or only recently) learned the identity of the 8 people allegedly involved; and/or (ii) the people accused never knew (or only subsequently learned) about the accusations or that they were accused.

I understand the women may now be cooperating with police and investigators. If so, hopefully the allegations can be fully investigated and appropriate actions taken based on a fair report.

 

[Kalv]

FWIW, I noticed that Comtois fiance which he seems to be together even before the draft, is still together and the fiance has their engagement photo as Instagram profile photo.
Grasping for straws here, but I imagine in most cases, there would be issues if the other partner was involved in something like this. That being said, the silence of MC is really really awkward

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

FWIW, I noticed that Comtois fiance which he seems to be together even before the draft, is still together and the fiance has their engagement photo as Instagram profile photo.
Grasping for straws here, but I imagine in most cases, there would be issues if the other partner was involved in something like this. That being said, the silence of MC is really really awkward

Grasping indeed.

 

[Frosted Tips]

FWIW, I noticed that Comtois fiance which he seems to be together even before the draft, is still together and the fiance has their engagement photo as Instagram profile photo.
Grasping for straws here, but I imagine in most cases, there would be issues if the other partner was involved in something like this. That being said, the silence of MC is really really awkward

Took a quick look at his IG as my last deeds on social media was setting up an account there. Quick reminder why social media is actually cancer.

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

Further proof why Social Media is a cancer. Not taking anything away from the victims, but internet sleuthing is just trying to validate your own conclusions - however twisted they are

 

[All Mighty]