I can’t help but shake my head at how the demand for scandals has run so far past the supply that THIS is what gets people frothing nowadays. No, I don’t think you should go through someone’s phone, but I also don’t think that’s an instant firing offense. Frankly I don’t blame Babcock for popping smoke and leaving if the organization wasn’t going to back him up on this.
I also wonder about the idea that any time a player, especially a young player is uncomfortable that means that a line has been crossed. People these days are uncomfortable leaving their house or answering the phone, the fact that they’re uncomfortable shouldn’t really be the line of what is appropriate or inappropriate conduct. I don’t blame a player for being uncomfortable with the biggest asshole in hockey going through their phone, I get that and think that does cross the line of what’s appropriate, but I also wince at how gleefully people throw Babcock under the bus and already have the torches out for Jarmo.
What a mess this might be for CBJ’s season, especially if this continues to circle around Jarmo, Jenner, and Gaudreau. I guess Fantilli will learn that the org has his back any time he’s uncomfortable (wish my Leafs hadn’t taken that path lol), but he might also see what this sort of thing means to a season. Is this level of discomfort worth creating a season long distraction? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe it’s over with Babcock being gone and this was the right call, but I’ll refer to the first line of my post when I say I doubt that.
