The real problem with this team is still Eugene Melnyk. Martin Raymond is probably the only coach he can afford. Any other team would fire a special teams coach for being last in both PK and PP. Honestly, Ottawa will never have a good team again as long as Melnyk is owner. Duchene and Stone are gone next summer guaranteed.
- celinedionpha9

Sadly there could be truth in those statements.

Not sure why people think this is a negative. I think it’s great:

1. The players see what the fans and media do, the coaching staff is (frank)ing awful

2. All the players seem to be on the same page about it.

3. The coaches now know that the players are tuning them out, meaning the coaches change their way or a coaching change is coming.


I don’t see the negative here....I LOVE this video.

As a coach (rugby league not hockey), the first thing I would expect from a professional is input from him in whatever scenario I was showing the video on. Unless the players were completely screwing up the system & then that's another issue, I would want my leaders to speak about what is happening not sit there & virtually masterbate. This sounds like the players have just given up which is back on them.

Kick them up the arse, get sound ground rules about sessions going where they have input & get on the same page.

Just looked this up to get additional knowledge on what the law actually says pertaining to an incident like this. The following is probably the most Important Part pertaining to this situation but I will also leave a link to the Document at the Bottom. And these doesn't even include any issues that may arise due to Uber Privacy Policies.

Recording Phone Calls and Conversations

If you plan to record telephone calls or in-person conversations (including by recording video that captures sound), you should be aware that there are federal and state wiretapping laws that may limit your ability to do so. These laws not only expose you to the risk of criminal prosecution, but also potentially give an injured party a civil claim for money damages against you.

From a legal standpoint, the most important question in the recording context is whether you must get consent from one or all of the parties to a phone call or conversation before recording it. Federal law and many state wiretapping statutes permit recording if one party (including you) to the phone call or conversation consents. Other states require that all parties to the communication consent.


http://www.dmlp.org/legal...e-calls-and-conversations

Hitting bottom is an ugly process. It is as much an emotional process as it is performance based. Every player needs to feel and know the hopelessness of the situation.

Duchene is gone. Wideman is gone. For the most of the vets, hope is a ticket out of town.

Everything about Mellnyk's operation is bush league.

November 27 is the critical meeting with the NCC. It includes a final review of the financial authorities in a "go" or "no go" decision on LeBretton.

Bottom is not possible until Melnyk goes.

Just looked this up to get additional knowledge on what the law actually says pertaining to an incident like this. The following is probably the most Important Part pertaining to this situation but I will also leave a link to the Document at the Bottom. And these doesn't even include any issues that may arise due to Uber Privacy Policies.

Recording Phone Calls and Conversations

If you plan to record telephone calls or in-person conversations (including by recording video that captures sound), you should be aware that there are federal and state wiretapping laws that may limit your ability to do so. These laws not only expose you to the risk of criminal prosecution, but also potentially give an injured party a civil claim for money damages against you.

From a legal standpoint, the most important question in the recording context is whether you must get consent from one or all of the parties to a phone call or conversation before recording it. Federal law and many state wiretapping statutes permit recording if one party (including you) to the phone call or conversation consents. Other states require that all parties to the communication consent.


http://www.dmlp.org/legal...e-calls-and-conversations
- Sabrehagan

We had a television presenter & his reporter brother get recorded in an uber. Driver would have been sued if he released the tape. A journalist reported what he heard on the private tape as the brothers were putting poop on their employers and colleagues. So the story got released third party having the actual recording never being released. The presenter hasn't recovered from that!

We had a television presenter & his reporter brother get recorded in an uber. Driver would have been sued if he released the tape. A journalist reported what he heard on the private tape as the brothers were putting poop on their employers and colleagues. So the story got released third party having the actual recording never being released. The presenter hasn't recovered from that!
- Aussiepenguin

People shifting focus to the legality of recording and disclosure is nothing more than a half hearted attempt at avoidance and denial.

The top of the organization is a management nightmare. Warm bodies occupy jobs until they can be replaced by people who know what they are doing. If your a player and you are exposed to this rot you know you need to move on.

There is a great peace to be had if you accept that the front office is a total and complete fire.

This is all going according to Guy Boucher's history.

1st season = great results
2nd season = middling to poor results
3rd season = bad results and fired/let go

Every, single, time.

Can't last in an organization past 3 years.

Don’t know about Uber’s pollcies but it is arguable that the driver did nothing illegal in Arizona. It’s a one-party recording, which is legal as long as the person recording is part of the conversation. The driver arguably saved himself by asking what team they played for.

Not sure why people think this is a negative. I think it’s great:

1. The players see what the fans and media do, the coaching staff is (frank)ing awful

2. All the players seem to be on the same page about it.

3. The coaches now know that the players are tuning them out, meaning the coaches change their way or a coaching change is coming.


I don’t see the negative here....I LOVE this video.
- sensarmy_11

Now THAT'S the spirit! Call a spade a spade!

1. This isn't a wiretap, so no violation of the law, no matter how hard you want to blame the guy, he may have violated company policy, but law no, sorry. The whole world is on video, expectation of privacy, you are in a cab, so how much expectation do you really have?

Those complaining about breach of privacy are out to lunch. These players were not discussing these issues in the privacy of their locker room or their hotel room or their homes. They were in a public place with another party that had no ties to the team. They have no expectations of privacy there. Even without the video these guys were spilling the beans in the company of someone not involved. There is no privacy there.

Cannot complain about breach of privacy if you shoot your mouth off in front of people.

And from what I understand Arizona is a one consent state so him being involved in the discussion means he's done nothing wrong legally.

I'd look at this from a positive light: Boucher has been pretty bad, Raymond has never been all that good... and you've pinpointed some toxic attitudes in the room

Fire the former, trade the latter. Cut out the tumors.

This should be irrelevant. These guys are being filmed illegally by an Uber driver and he should be punished. These guys have every right to speak about whatever they want in a cab or Uber without it being broadcast against their will to the public. Shame on this Uber driver

i've always hated that mentality where people believe that just because others are making millions that they're not allowed to express how they really feel. the old "they should just be happy they're making millions and shut up" expression is just dumb.

the reason they make millions is because they are capable of doing something 99.9% of the people in this world can't do. they aren't being given millions for free, they earn it through elite level skill that attracts fans and generates revenue(earnings are based on how much revenue you can generate, not how hard you work). they can do this because they strive to operate at a high level.

so what they're saying is a result of the frustration of being in a poorly run franchise that hinders their progress. it demonstrates that although they're making millions, winning is still very important to them and they have the competitiveness to want to do better instead of just sitting on their millions and success. that's a mentality that most people don't have since everyone seems to say the first thing they'll do if they win the lotto is never work again. so i get that it's hard to relate to their mentality of wanting to be better but the fact remains, they're not some spoiled rich kids complaining about the world. they're complaining about how the team sucks and the coaching staff/management are doing nothing to improve.

at the core of this is the same argument that hockey fans have been making - the senators are a poorly run organization. people are siding with the players because they are saying what we've been saying for over a year.

people are not siding with the cabbie and rightfully poopting on him cuz he recorded a private conversation and released it like a jackass.
- danktrees

Are they really? Cause that's not what I'm seeing.

Also, no it wasn't a private conversation since it was in a public place in which the driver was involved.

This should be irrelevant. These guys are being filmed illegally by an Uber driver and he should be punished. These guys have every right to speak about whatever they want in a cab or Uber without it being broadcast against their will to the public. Shame on this Uber driver
- BringNYIhome

No.

Are they really? Cause that's not what I'm seeing.

Also, no it wasn't a private conversation since it was in a public place in which the driver was involved.
- burn

That's the thing - you keep that stuff in the room/between teammates. Not in front of a some random dude.

The fact that they did such a thing in front of him shows the lack of respect the players have not only for the coaches but for the logo on the front of their sweater.

I want Ottawa to get good. The NHL is better with a high-stakes battle of Ontario.

Love the honest feedback, now if we could just find some audio of the guys trash talking each other that would be gold. Gold I tell ya Jerry Gold.


can’t wait to see what JG and the boys have to say about Carlyle... somebody post it.

That's the thing - you keep that stuff in the room/between teammates. Not in front of a some random dude.

The fact that they did such a thing in front of him shows the lack of respect the players have not only for the coaches but for the logo on the front of their sweater.

I want Ottawa to get good. The NHL is better with a high-stakes battle of Ontario.
- OzBolts

Exactly. No one is shocked this this happens on any pro team anywhere else, it's just dumb to do it in the company of someone not involved. That in its self removes the expectation of privacy

Lol why would they have spoken up and said enough? They all agree on what was being said, plus they had no reason to believe this conversation would become public.
- Trevor Shackles

I said the veteran should have spoke up. Meaning Duchene. Yes its his presence that sets the attitude of young players. Off ice character sets the tone for team character. Poor role model for young players. Regardless if they are on video or not is irelevant
A veteran superstar whom many would be willing to give a long term mega contract. Tells the young guys i havent paid attention in meetings for over half the season because i dont like the coaching style.
Like Stone said after the 9-2 loss ,and i am sure he knew abouf this. " as players we cant blame the coach for everything" . I think that blowout was because the team knew what happened. So here we go again.
To suggest this is commonplace in the NHL i find hard to believe. To suggest this is the same as a minimum wage worker complaing to his coworker about tbe boss is not even in the realm of being the same thing.
Team culture is a real thing wether you like the coaching style or not.

And finally, the millionaires that cheaped out by taking Uber should be thankful they were only recorded and not involved in an accident caused by a high driver or faulty brakes etc. Definitely, poor judgment on their part imo.
And last but least: Dave Cameron might need a job. Maybe he should send his resume. Oh wait.....
- itwasin

Isn't Uber the official ride service of the NHL?

This could actually be turned into a positive, if changes are made based on their comments. They represent some of the team's best players, so ignoring their brutal honesty would be foolish. Based on results, I can't say that their assessments are that far off. Rude yes, but it was supposed to remain private. And also pretty accurate by the sounds of it.

Hope the team sues the poop out of the Uber driver for breach of privacy without consent.
- sportsdataguy

Legally I don't think there's any expectation of privacy in an Uber. Airing dirty laundry to a complete stranger is just phenomenally stupid.

Pretty slimmy thing to do?? Dude its 2018 cameras are everywhere. Companies like TMZ pay top dollar for stuff like this when its celebs.

The guy is driving a uber and saw an opportunity tp make some extra cash. I dont knock him at all for it

The players have no expectation of privacy here. This wqs not a mic in a hotel room vent.

Here in NYC alot of taxis have some.form of recording devices. Audio or video

He most likely violated Uber's terms and conditions. Depending on how big this story gets they might choose to fire him for it. Drivers have certainly been fired for less.

He had to know this could blow up when he uploaded it.


Obviously the bulk of the blame lies with the players though.
- david22

You're probably giving Uber too much credt. They're very convenient, but ethical? Not so much.

they were in a cab. its not 1965 anymore. almost anything and everything is recorded these days.
- systemtool

Thank you dude. Your like the only one with any sense.

2018 cameras are everywhere and alwqys recording.

Tqlk about that poop in private