The National Hockey League is expected on Thursday to announce its ruling on any disciplinary action for the altercation between Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee and Blackhawks coach Lorne Molleken.
McPhee allegedly punched Molleken in the face Saturday after taking exception to what he perceived as overly physical play in their exhibition in Columbus, Ohio.
In an on-line chat with ESPN.com, Commissioner Gary Bettman said the investigation took longer than expected because it happened in Columbus, which is not currently an NHL city. The Blue Jackets will join the league for the 2000-2001 season.
“Since the matter has not been fully resolved, I’m not comfortable commenting on what the outcome may be other than to say we will address it appropriately,” Bettman said.
Earlier Wednesday, Colin Campbell participated in a national conference call. The league’s executive vice president and director of hockey operations downplayed charges the Hawks’ physical tactics were being closely monitored.
A source said Toronto GM and coach Pat Quinn called the league office after the Maple Leafs’ first meeting with the Hawks on Sept. 12, which resulted in 10 fights and 38 penalties totaling 168 minutes. Quinn continued his assault on the Hawks’ style of play before Tuesday’s game, a 4-3 overtime win by Toronto.
Campbell said such complaints are fairly typical throughout the season.
“General managers will call us daily on certain situations that they didn’t think were right in the game before,” Campbell said. “We take note and decide whether we should make a call.”
Campbell said he did place a call to Hawks General Manager Bob Murray last week. But Mike Murphy, vice president of hockey operations, was at Saturday’s game merely for normal supervising.
“As far as monitoring the Blackhawks, no, we haven’t monitored the Blackhawks any more than we monitored any other team,” Campbell said.
On the ice: In the preseason finale in Toronto, Molleken shook up the Wendel Clark-Doug Gilmour-Dean McAmmond line for the first time. Gilmour played wing on the line with Tony Amonte and Alex Zhamnov.
“I thought that line played extremely well,” Molleken said. “(Gilmour) is the type of player we can use in a lot of positions, so that’s a big plus.”
Jean-Yves Leroux centered the Clark-McAmmond line.
