They are.

What a stupid question.

I blame both the “victim” and the players stupidity in this case. I’m a female and think she most likely over played her hand (probably for money) and these stupid dumb kids did something to cause all of this. These idiots aren’t innocent. They’re just not guilty in the court of law.
- KINGS67

Yes these players did something wrong. I mean she goes in bathroom. Comes out naked. Lays down on floor and says who’s gonna (frank) me. Yep players should’ve run. Because that’s what’s normal in that situation.

Now the question begs…..who’s responsible for the players lost revenue and careers? Does Bettman issue an apology after his inflammatory comments? This issue is not over by a long shot.
- landros 2

From the testimony and evidence I heard, I do not see how they could have been convicted.

On the other hand, their behavior was disgusting and deplorable.

Flimsy in the sense the police on 2 occasions didn’t see enough evidence to bring charges. Only after the payment from Hockey Canada payment went public did the case rise from the dead. Listen, as a father of 3 girls I hoped from the start these guys would face proper justice if they did force this girl with out her consent into improper acts….what adult wouldn’t want that? But after listening to the whole thing I thought exactly as the judge did.
So ya Flimsy.
- landros 2

Agreed.

I think we all want to see people held accountable, but there was way too much reasonable doubt there.

Not guilty = Jobs back.

Simple as that.

I don't care what the judge says, their behavior is terrible. Should be banned on moral grounds.

In addition, NHL should also ban the following:

-players who cheat on their wives or girlfriends
-players who visit strip clubs and brothels
-players who have used illegal drugs, starting with Ekblad
-players like DeAngelo who openly support far right ideas
-Ovechkin because of Putin
-etc...

Clean up this league and have better morals!!
- HockeyBuzzed

Ummm (frank) your morals bag. I pay to watch thier play. They can all go jerk off donkeys as far as I’m concerned. How would like someone playing moral god put restrictions on you being able to provide for yourself or family.

So I guess where you are from being stupid and irresponsible equates to a crime. Only if your the accused though. Say what you want but the crime is what they are found to be innocent of.
- landros 2

Again: being found not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, does not equate to “innocent” . Many people that are guilty are acquitted. Some on technicality, some on lack of evidence or whatever.

Ummm (frank) your morals bag. I pay to watch thier play. They can all go jerk off donkeys as far as I’m concerned. How would like someone playing moral god put restrictions on you being able to provide for yourself or family.
- Stayin alive

The players who lie, cheat, and use drugs can go play in the KHL. NHL should be a wholesome family league. So if we ban these 5 then ban all the others too. Ovechkin was FB friends with Putin.

A few points:

We’re talking about different levels of government - local police, provincial crown attorneys vs the federal or Canadian government. Our friend from Alberta who I was responding to likely hates the federal government and wants to lay this on them.

The Canadian judicial system is less politicized than the American. Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General are elected but everyone below them are career civil servants. There isn’t the same kind of interference and prosecutors have a lot of discretion. Judges aren’t really political appointees as well. Provincial judges are selected through by a non political body (made up of judges, prosecutors, defence lawyers and community reps) and send a few nominees to the Attorney General who makes the selection. The current Ontario government is trying to assert more control over the system.
- Canada Cup

That's interesting. Thanks!

Again: being found not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, does not equate to “innocent” . Many people that are guilty are acquitted. Some on technicality, some on lack of evidence or whatever.
- TurdFergeson

I will assume you do not know that there is no finding of innocence in Canadian law so you will never hear a court ruling of innocence - it's not a formal verdict here.

A not guilty verdict can also mean that there is reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence or offences they were charged with.

There are 3 possible verdicts in a criminal case in Ontario:

Guilty, Not Guilty or a Hung Jury (in a jury trial obviously).

Not guilty = Jobs back.

Simple as that.
- Sergeant32

This shouldn't even be up for debate

I'd expect the PR nightmare of brining them back is something not many teams want to deal with. They all have that "moral clause" they can fall back on.

I'd expect the PR nightmare of brining them back is something not many teams want to deal with. They all have that "moral clause" they can fall back on.
- greenyone

My guess is that the morals/PR considerations might play out differently if on of them was Connor Bedard

Why wouldn't they get hired by a team? There are only 2 outcomes guilty or not-guilty and they were not guilty of the crime as determined by the law. Guilty of being dumb and naive? I think so

The players who lie, cheat, and use drugs can go play in the KHL. NHL should be a wholesome family league. So if we ban these 5 then ban all the others too. Ovechkin was FB friends with Putin.
- HockeyBuzzed

I think what they did was wholesome. He’s welcome back.

My guess is that the morals/PR considerations might play out differently if on of them was Connor Bedard
- Canada Cup

100% agree. The hypocrisy stinks to the heavens.

I'd expect the PR nightmare of brining them back is something not many teams want to deal with. They all have that "moral clause" they can fall back on.
- greenyone

Stan Bowman really needs a goalie.

Stan Bowman really needs a goalie.
- Dieselhead

In that case, Bowman should look elsewhere, unless Hart is going to blame his play on the criminal justice system.

Ummm (frank) your morals bag. I pay to watch thier play. They can all go jerk off donkeys as far as I’m concerned. How would like someone playing moral god put restrictions on you being able to provide for yourself or family.
- Stayin alive

I don't care what the judge says, their behavior is terrible. Should be banned on moral grounds.

In addition, NHL should also ban the following:

-players who cheat on their wives or girlfriends
-players who visit strip clubs and brothels
-players who have used illegal drugs, starting with Ekblad
-players like DeAngelo who openly support far right ideas
-Ovechkin because of Putin
-etc...

Clean up this league and have better morals!!
- HockeyBuzzed

The NHL should only allow priests to play in the league.
Except priests have forgiveness, so that might not work either.

The players who lie, cheat, and use drugs can go play in the KHL. NHL should be a wholesome family league. So if we ban these 5 then ban all the others too. Ovechkin was FB friends with Putin.
- HockeyBuzzed

Im glad hockebuzz still has ret@rd$.

Im glad hockebuzz still has ret@rd$.
- twotoekenn

They could always start another league where only glorified saints can play.
See how well that goes, and how many players they could find to play.

They could always start another league where only glorified saints can play.
See how well that goes, and how many players they could find to play.
- ifiwasgm

I guess the other option is we let these 5 guys play since banning "not guilty" players, solely on moral grounds, means you've opened a can of worms given how subjective moral standards are...

Let them play. another scamming woman got outed trying to ruin careers and lives. She should be charged.

Let them play. another scamming woman got outed trying to ruin careers and lives. She should be charged.
- Megatron

You’re an idiot. She wasn’t scamming. The charges were not proven beyond a reasonably doubt but that doesn’t mean it was all made up.
You’re just another incel.

You’re an idiot. She wasn’t scamming. The charges were not proven beyond a reasonably doubt but that doesn’t mean it was all made up.
You’re just another incel.
- TurdFergeson

You’re a moron. While yes your statement about proving about reasonable doubt is correct in a broad term in this case not only was their reasonable doubt the judge found her to be untruthful. That means a liar. Do you get that? She’s not a victim. She’s may be a great person who made a mistake. Who knows but concerning this case she was clearly a liar. Stop defending her