I see where my buddy ex-Leaf Jeff O’Neil is bein’ criticized for taking a run at the commish, Gary Bettman. I agree with Jeff when he said the words he used were inappropriate. But, in a way, I can understand him. Jeff took a very big hit the last lockout. Millions. And never made it back to the Show. So, I know how he feels.

I can understand the frustration of the players not gettin’ a paycheque because I’m not gettin’ a paycheque. But if the players think they’re helping themselves by calling Bettman an idiot and sayin’ Bettman is a cancer. . . . First, you unfeelin’ jerks. How do you think the people with cancer feel? What is the point of stickin’ Bettman and the NHL? All you do is make them more determined. Because now, and I agree with Cory Schneider, it’s almost gettin’ personal. Because I don’t care who you are, nobody likes to be called a cancer or an idiot.

And, how ’bout the players now gettin’ caps that say on the front “Puck Gary?” Can’t you see you’re hurtin’ your own cause? And, by the way, you’re hurtin’a lot more people, too, than yourselves. The lower-echelon people in the standings. The ushers. The concession guy. The cleaners. Me, I’m in that lower echelon, and the list goes on. We want it settled as much as you. Can’t Donald Fehr (pronounced Fuhr) tell these dummies to shut up?

Let’s face it, Bettman is an easy target. He’s front and centre. Let’s blame him. Don’t you realize that he’s doin’ what the owners want? The vote was 30-to-nothin’ for the lockout. That’s what the owners wanted.

Do you not think if 20 owners went to Bettman now and said “the lockout ends now” it would end? It would end for sure. No, it’s the owners that call the tune. Why don’t these players with their big mouths call out their owners? Call them idiots and cancers? No, they won’t because they don’t have the guts.

I know I’m not Bettman’s cup of tea. I don’t think he’s ever forgiven me since my tirade against him for that 20-game suspension for my buddy Dale Hunter for the hit on Pierre Turgeon (1993). But fair is fair. When I think he’s wrong, he gets it. And, when I think the players are wrong, they get it.

They’re wrong here. Smarten up. Use your head. Keep your mouth shut and let’s end this nightmare.

P.S.: By the way, Nazem Kadri was player of the week in the American Hockey League. Eleven points in five games. Thank you.

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