Celebrations may be few and far between for the original VGK (USA Today Sports)
Back in 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights created a roster full of young, hungry hockey players with reasonable amounts of upside. Although each player carries their own respective level of potential, not all make it as a lifelong NHL player. Some get bounced around the league, while others travel constantly with multiple NHL call-ups and AHL demotions.
One of those original Golden Knights players with unfulfilled potential is Brendan Leipsic. He’s been a bit of a journeyman in the NHL, despite having plus speed and playing a heavier game than his frame lends to. His lack of scoring touch has burned him in many of his NHL stops. To this day, Leipsic is still snake-bitten, but on a much different and certainly worse tangent.
Leipsic never shied away from a battle, but he won’t win this one (USA Today Sports)
We all have social media messages, comments, and conversations we probably shouldn’t. Locker room talk is a real thing and athletes surely know the difference between “messing around” in a safe space and what they’d openly say in an increasingly PC world. Leipsic is the latest casualty of social media “hacking” and due to his status as a professional athlete, it’s going to be hard for him to shake it.
Leipsic, among other high-level hockey players were exposed for dismissive and objectifying comments toward women late Tuesday evening. An Instagram exchange between the former Golden Knight and his pals was floated around the internet, setting the hockey world on fire. Below you can see some of the egregiously unacceptable comments made, some of which were directed at a former teammate’s (Tanner Pearson) wife.
In response, women throughout not just the hockey world, but the social media universe as a whole, are banding together and supporting each other in the face of these immature and crude comments. Dude is getting roasted pretty good.
There’s no denying Leipsic’s talent. Players don’t make it to the NHL devoid of talent or ability. Maintaining the production and consistency needed to stick with one club is the caveat. With these messages coming to light, his talent may not be what dictates his future ice time. In a swift response time, the NHL has issued the following statement regarding the misogynistic comments:
”The National Hockey League strongly condemns the misogynistic and reprehensible remarks made by players Brendan Leipsic and Jack Rodewald in a private group chat that has surfaced on social media. There is no place in our league for such statements, attitudes, and behavior, no matter the forum. We will address this inexcusable conduct with the clubs and players involved.”
Looks like the NHL will be doing a deep dive into their Code of Conduct to see what rules, if any, they can enforce on Leipsic and Co. This is an ugly situation and one that could snowball into more and more of the same coming out for others. It can quickly become similar to the Head Coach controversy of the beginning of the season.
If there’s any silver lining, Philadelphia Flyers forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel is gaining quite a fan base.
There’s no question regarding the comments made by the current and quite possibly soon-to-be-former Washington Capitals forward. His comments were rude, crude, insensitive, and downright disgusting. Women have it hard enough in this world (thank BABY JESUS I’m a man) and they don’t need high-level athletes bashing them on top of it. Something needs to be done, but just what should that be? If the Capitals do cut bait, they can certainly find a replacement-level player to replicate his scoring line (61 Games Played: 3 goals-8 assists-11 points).
We know that athletes and other celebrities are always in the limelight. Anything they do or say will be placed under a microscope and dissected by the masses. He and the other men involved are being exposed and widely ridiculed for their lack of character. His punishment is currently being doled out by the Supreme Court.....of Public Opinion.
Leipsic is in for a long few months and maybe years (USA Today Sports)
While most won’t agree, that’s exactly where his punishment should stay. The fact that he wasn’t at an event on behalf of the NHL or playing in a game, should make this a personal issue, not a professional one. Both the team and league are well within their rights to part with him, based on a lack of character or for bringing a black eye to the organizations. Where do we draw the redemption line? Can he apologize? Can he continue to do his job? Should this throw his whole life upside down?
It will be very hard for anyone to root for Leipsic following these comments. He will go down as one of the most hated men in hockey, especially by women, and rightfully so. Still, it’s hard to accept one’s employer dropping the hammer because of something done on personal time. If Roberto’s Taco Shop fired my favorite cashier for getting into a heated argument outside of work, would that be acceptable? Athletes and celebs should be held to a higher standard, but that seems to go on a case-by-case, who do I like too much basis.
What this instance will determine is how far the NHL’s reach goes. Can players have personal lives and conversations, although his were reprehensible, without a fear of being fired or losing their livelihood? In cases like these, you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Only time will tell if Leipsic sees North American ice again, but rest assured, he will find a place to play for pay, even if his days in the NHL are over.
One thing is for sure, the man needs help. He's alluded to recreational drug use, he's showing an inability to know what's not appropriate to say, even in private. Until he gets that help, he will be fighting a very uphill battle.
I’d love to hear your opinions on the matter. Remember you can catch me daily on the Twitter or in the comments. Let me know what you think of this unfortunate scenario.
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • 
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