HC20.0 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 http://www.tsn.ca/talent/players-in-nhl-concussion-case-want-bettman-deposed-by-july-1-1.240472 "NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman should be forced to be deposed about matters relating to the NHL concussions lawsuit within the next three months, lawyers for a group of former players wrote in a legal filing. Lawyers for the former players wrote to the NHL on February 23 asking to set up a time and location to depose Bettman. Three days later, a lawyer for the NHL replied, saying that the league was refusing the request because of a so-called "apex doctrine." That legal doctrine gives the league the ability to refuse the deposition request if the information Bettman might offer could also be obtained through other means, the league's lawyer wrote, adding that without the doctrine, "high level executives would be 'vulnerable to numerous, repetitive, harassing, and abusive depositions.'" In newly filed court documents obtained by TSN, lawyers for the former players write that the NHL has been stonewalling their effort to obtain information. They want Bettman deposed by July 1. A group of former NHL players including Joe Murphy, Bernie Nicholls and Gary Leeman charge that the NHL did not do enough to protect them from head injuries before it created a committee to study head trauma in 1997. Even after that, the players charge the committee's findings were not adequately shared with players. The NHL players filed the suit in November 2013 after a group of nearly 4,500 former NFL players reached a settlement with the NFL over similar concussion-related complaints. The discovery of information and documents in the NHL case began on Jan. 15, 2015. Nearly nine months later, the documents say, the plaintiffs have received only 7,772 pages of documents, consisting only of insurance policies and the NHL's official guide and record book. Moreover, the plaintiffs' lawyers say the "apex doctrine" does not apply to Bettman. "Even if Mr. Bettman tried to disclaim the deep knowledge the NHL's initial disclosures say he has, ample evidence demonstrates that his 20-plus years of direct involvement in the subject matter of this case gives him knowledge unique and superior to any other current NHL employee." As evidence of his knowledge, the plaintiffs' lawyers quote an interview Bettman gave on March 18, 2015, during which he said, "concussions are not on the rise, to the contrary, and the number of man-games lost is down again. I'm not giving you numbers." The plaintiffs' lawyers wrote that,"no one at the NHL is likely to have more knowledge than Bettman concerning the NHL's concussion study, which began in 1997 and was published in 2011, all under Bettman's stewardship. As the NHL commissioner from 1993 to the present, Bettman has unique knowledge concerning, among other things, the NHL's rationale for conducting the study, how it chose its researchers, why it took 14 years for the NHL to complete the study and publish its results, what the NHL chose to disclose and not to disclose to its players in the interim, and the reasons for those statements and silences. All are central issues in this case." The NHL has also filed a list of 21 specific potential witnesses, Bettman included, who league lawyers wrote might be called to testify. That list also includes Brian Burke, the league's former senior vice president and director of operations, deputy commissioner Bill Daly, and Brendan Shanahan, the NHL's former senior vice president of player safety and hockey operations. The league also wrote in court filings that it may call current and former NHL team player reps to testify in the lawsuit as well as the agents of current and former players." You know, I think they have a good case here to remove Buttface from office. The league is doing nothing about player safety. Toffoli could've seriously injured or possibly killed Burrows with the way he hit him, and got off free. Burrows is EXTREMELY lucky to not be hurt, he could've easily had a broken back or neck. But players around the league get away with crap like this. How's Alberts doing? Pacioretty had his neck broken and Chara got off free. I think the players have a good case against Bettman. Thoughts? EDIT: Thanks Marchand for pointing out that deposed in this context means testifying and giving evidence.... I still think he should be canned though.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Marchand Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Deposed in the context of the article means "testify to or give (evidence) on oath, typically in a written statement". In other words, they want Bettman to reveal information the league has regarding concussion-related matters. They aren't looking to remove him as commissioner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronalds.Kenins41 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Deposed in the context of the article means "testify to or give (evidence) on oath, typically in a written statement". In other words, they want Bettman to reveal information the league has regarding concussion-related matters. They aren't looking to remove him as commissioner. Beat me to it. They are just asking him to testify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HC20.0 Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Deposed in the context of the article means "testify to or give (evidence) on oath, typically in a written statement". In other words, they want Bettman to reveal information the league has regarding concussion-related matters. They aren't looking to remove him as commissioner. The article says they want him deposed by July 1st. Sounds like a resignation to me, but you do make a fair point. I think TSN should change the title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuktravella Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 hockeys a rough sport everyone knows the risk you take to play it thats why the players make more in a yr than most people make in a lifetime these ex players are just doing this as a cash grab because they obviously mismanaged their career earning i think its pretty pathetic. That being said i cant stand that sniveling lawyer comiss and hopefully he gets fired somehow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdatb Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 The article says they want him deposed by July 1st. Sounds like a resignation to me, but you do make a fair point. I think TSN should change the title. yep its really confusing since most people would think of the first definition of deposed at first glance. However the first line shows that they just want him to testify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatedkid666 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Too bad. Because everyone else wants to depose Bettman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riviera82 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 It would be really nice if this whole thing somehow led to Bettman's resignation or termination, but I wouldn't count on it unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat James Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I don't understand the Bettman hate, he's just doing what the owners tell him to do, otherwise he'd have been fired a long time ago. Things wouldn't change if we got a new commissioner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armada Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I don't understand the Bettman hate, he's just doing what the owners tell him to do, otherwise he'd have been fired a long time ago. Things wouldn't change if we got a new commissioner. Amen to that. The NHL is thriving now, thanks to that Man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YEGCanuck Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 This thing is not going away because Bettman attempts to stall the matter. This may be the beginning of the end for the owners little puppet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanGnome Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 It's funny because when I read the title, I immediately thought of the 2nd definition of depose due to the context being a lawsuit. The first definition wouldn't make any sense, and likely would be conveyed differently if it were the case. Example: "Concussion victims want Bettman removed from office by July 1st" Anyway, this reeks of PR, risk management and blowback mitigation. If the full breadth of the information regarding this case were to see the light of day, I don't doubt that this would switch from a lawsuit to a criminal case quite rapidly. NHL is withholding for as long as it can, until this circus is run through the courts so they can offer a minuscule settlement relative to the full potential damages should everything be aired out. In this instance, I hope the players and former players get what's theirs, because what the league is doing is sheisty, immoral and downright greasy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwags Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Example: "Concussion victims want Bettman removed from office by July 1st" If only that were true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 They just want to embarrass him. Don't we all. However, if there's anyone who can handle a deposition like that, it's Bettman. Commander Vague. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go Faulk Yourself Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 lol @ Bettman hate. People need to get a clue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronalds.Kenins41 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Since Bettman came in, Vancouver has arguably been the best Canadian team. Two Presidents trophies and Two finals appearances, missed the playoffs only six times. Before he came in we were the most hopeless team until 1987 when Gretzky got traded and Quinn and Burke came into Vancouver. Burke said they told them not to go to Vancouver, cause it was going to relocate. Fortunately, Burke and Quinn didn't listen and came to Vancouver anyways and saved our team. If anything, Vancouver fans should love the guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 lol @ Bettman hate. People need to get a clue.People like the concussion victims and their lawyers that would like to get him deposed? I am pretty certain that they have a clue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etsen3 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 lmao guise I watch suits I knew exactly what they were talking bout lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 '6he league's lawyer wrote, adding that without the doctrine, "high level executives would be 'vulnerable to numerous, repetitive, harassing, and abusive depositions.'" Pathetic. Answer the questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Heffy Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 lol @ Bettman hate. People need to get a clue. Yeah, clearly there's absolutely no issue with the NHL's conduct with him at the helm. It's going to take a lot of legal action before the NHL cleans up its act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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