NEWSLETTER
We didn’t actually expect anything to happen, did we?
According to The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus, in a conversation with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, the Blackhawks and Rocky Wirtz will not face any discipline for the outbursts Wirtz displayed on Wednesday night at the Town Hall event.
There will be no league-issued punishment for Rocky Wirtz, Bettman said.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 4, 2022
Earlier in the day, Bettman was asked by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan on “The Point” what his reaction was to the events of Wednesday night with Rocky and Danny Wirtz.
Bettman on The Point: "What we saw from Rocky was emotional, frustration and overshadowed the work the #Blackhawks have done." Mentions Faulkner and Danny Wirtz "doing the right things" and having the right people around.
Whatever that means.— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) February 4, 2022
Basically, the same thing.
Phil Thompson of the Chicago Tribune, the other reporter that was on the other end of the Wirtz outbursts along with Mark Lazerus, shared more details on his conversation with Bettman.
"I think it’s clear that this whole situation has been weighing on the Blackhawks and on Rocky in particular, and I think when he had a chance to reflect on what he said, he apologized because, frankly, — and this is the ironic part — the franchise is doing the work." 2/6
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) February 4, 2022
"And I know the organization is committed to doing the right things and doing what’s necessary to deal with what happened to Kyle Beach and the aftermath, which obviously was horrible." 4/6
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) February 4, 2022
I'll have more from my phone interview with Bettman. He said he talked to Rocky Wirtz by phone but didn't want to reveal the details of that conversation. 6/6
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) February 4, 2022
Again, basically, “nothing to see here, folk. Move along.” What did we expect?
Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly are scheduled to speak at the NHL All-Star showcase tonight and much of the same should be expected from Bettman and Daly regarding Wirtz and the Blackhawks. IF anything of substance happens there, you’ll hear about it here.
