Is Bertuzzi shifting the blame? Fri, March 28, 2008
Former Vancouver Canucks coach Marc Crawford has been dragged into a multi-million dollar lawsuit over NHL forward Todd Bertuzzi's infamous sucker punch on Steve Moore.
Moore originally file the suit against Bertuzzi and courts documents show the former NHL player has now consented to name Crawford in the suit as well.
Bertuzzi sought to have Crawford included in the suit based on the claim that his NHL contract compelled him take direction from his coach.
Is Bertuzzi shifting the blame onto his coach, or is Crawford also liable for what happened on the ice in 2004? Have your say in our forum.
Sadly, many of you are missing the point: the same tactic was tried (in the legal sense) at Nuremberg and it didn't work there. One cannot excuse one's actions by saying "I was just following orders."
Todd Bertuzzi needs to man up, accept his part of the incident and pay his due. Similarly, the NHL, the 'Nucks, Marc Crawford need to do the same.
The fact that 9 people landed on top of Steve Moore is irrelevant - the stage was set when Bert sucker-punched him. All that follows derives from that - and is solely Bert's responsibility - at least morally and ethically. While he may get some passing relief from including others in the legal case, he is still accountable for his own choices - as bad as those were.
I have no sympathy for Bert, the Canucks or Marc Crawford. I have plenty for the forgotten, injured and damaged person in all of this: Steve Moore.
Don, 2008-03-28 15:38:49
It's not only about shifting blame. Bertuzzi's lawyers are driving this ship. The strategy is not only to hedge against judgements that Moore's lawyers generate, but also to abide within legal time limitations to file. It's all part of the process and likely not the end of it either.
mel, 2008-03-28 15:24:38
With how far this whole circus has gone, can anyone be surprised that Crawford is now also directly in the crosshairs?
We are now in a society where the first option is now to sue and sue everyone and anyone remotely attached in some form? What's next, suing the NHL for not suspending him for the hit on Naslund which would have avoided all this? the NHLPA for not doing enough for Moore? General Motors as they have naming rights on the Nuck's venue? The City of Vancouver?
We've all seen the footage over and over, can one punch be to blame for the extent of injuries when 9, 200 lbs+ men play pile on Moore. Should some liability not be passed on to others?
It is and unfortunate situation that Moore was injuryed in such fashion but maybe in a sport where there is an unwritten "code", he should have taken it like a man and just dropped the gloves.
java addict, 2008-03-28 15:21:34
It is not the first time it happen.. so my veiw is that CRAWFORD and BERTUZZI is to blame for what is happen on that night.. they should pay for the price for no reason to go after any player..No coach will ever tell player to go after....that SAD
emilio, 2008-03-28 15:08:02
HAHAHAHA.
Nice try Todd. We all know Crawford told you to attack.
So what?
I'd like Crawford to tell you to retire(would you do that too).please
Bertuzzi is an emmbarassment to hockey in this country and he has no business on the ice, he doesn't have the brain power to skate and think at the same time.
A goon plain and simple!!
Hammertime, 2008-03-28 15:07:06
What kind of question is that... of course he is.
MK, 2008-03-28 15:04:05
Of course he is, bertuzzi has never accepted any responsabilty for his actions.
tdaaddman, 2008-03-28 15:00:31
Bertuzzi is getting more and more pathetic. Be a man..what a goof!
dollar, 2008-03-28 14:51:19
If Todd is innocent of the charges leveled against him - he would not need to 'shift' any blame, especially after having held his position for this length of time. Sorry Todd you had me convinced until now - now you are just another goon trying to save your butt at the expense of someone else. All the class that you appeared to exhibit just went out the window.
Tom, 2008-03-28 14:47:34
No I don't think Bertuzzi is shifting the blame,but wanting Crawford to share some of the blame.Most hockey players and knowledgeable fans know that Todd had some sort of direction from Crawford to "GET" Moore.He wouldn't have acted without some kind of prompt from the coach.That being said I don't think Todd wanted to hurt Moore to the degree he did,but just to send a message.But with adrenalin flowing during the heat of the game,and Todd being a big strong guy he overdid it.But Crawford has to come clean too as I think will come out during the court case.
John B, 2008-03-28 14:47:26
Is Bertuzzi shifting the blame?
Todd Bertuzzi needs to man up, accept his part of the incident and pay his due. Similarly, the NHL, the 'Nucks, Marc Crawford need to do the same.
The fact that 9 people landed on top of Steve Moore is irrelevant - the stage was set when Bert sucker-punched him. All that follows derives from that - and is solely Bert's responsibility - at least morally and ethically. While he may get some passing relief from including others in the legal case, he is still accountable for his own choices - as bad as those were.
I have no sympathy for Bert, the Canucks or Marc Crawford. I have plenty for the forgotten, injured and damaged person in all of this: Steve Moore.
Don, 2008-03-28 15:38:49
mel, 2008-03-28 15:24:38
We are now in a society where the first option is now to sue and sue everyone and anyone remotely attached in some form? What's next, suing the NHL for not suspending him for the hit on Naslund which would have avoided all this? the NHLPA for not doing enough for Moore? General Motors as they have naming rights on the Nuck's venue? The City of Vancouver?
We've all seen the footage over and over, can one punch be to blame for the extent of injuries when 9, 200 lbs+ men play pile on Moore. Should some liability not be passed on to others?
It is and unfortunate situation that Moore was injuryed in such fashion but maybe in a sport where there is an unwritten "code", he should have taken it like a man and just dropped the gloves.
java addict, 2008-03-28 15:21:34
emilio, 2008-03-28 15:08:02
Nice try Todd. We all know Crawford told you to attack.
So what?
I'd like Crawford to tell you to retire(would you do that too).please
Bertuzzi is an emmbarassment to hockey in this country and he has no business on the ice, he doesn't have the brain power to skate and think at the same time.
A goon plain and simple!!
Hammertime, 2008-03-28 15:07:06
MK, 2008-03-28 15:04:05
tdaaddman, 2008-03-28 15:00:31
dollar, 2008-03-28 14:51:19
Tom, 2008-03-28 14:47:34
John B, 2008-03-28 14:47:26