Of course it does….but in todays world we all know this situation is not one that will go away even if exonerated. The girls is apparently fully cooperating now with the police so her statements on the events will be public record. So many times in life sports celeb’s get away with stuff…other times they don’t. If the girls telling the truth, and honestly I think she probably is, then the repercussions are going to be harsh. Yes she did say certain things, but come on.
- landros 2

Something seems off with her video recordings saying she was ok with it, and so straight she can't right now. Sounds like they were trying to get her on tape saying she was good with it for their own protection. Like..we have all had 1 night stands..how many of us have grabbed a camera or our phones and recorded a statement like that? To follow it up with a second video stating she is not drunk, when video footage shows she was heavily drinking. I hope this MM guy is also brought up on enabling or something, as he seems to have had a role in this whole event.

Hart had no value and he wanted 6 mil it’s good he’s gone. In the end he was just an inconsistent goalie that would have been overpaid if we kept him

I am also starting to realize that Hart's health issues were probably stress related. Ulcers/intestinal issues etc. Having something like this is like having an anvil hanging over your head. Especially for as long as it has been dragged out.
- MBFlyerfan

same thought and very possible

There was a report that came out late in the summer about the “5” guys. One of the hockey insiders leaked it. I knew 4 names but had always heard comtois as the 5th. I think from reading what exactly happened, it was apparent this was coming.
Adding to your post….they never sought to extend Hart which they could have done. His denials were never he wasn’t there….just he did nothing wrong. In the end that’s what courts are for. Everyone has these guys all painted with the same brush…that’s just not the case.
- landros 2

Yes, that is why you're innocent until proven guilty. I want to see the facts laid out before I form any judgements. I have seen way too many times in my lifetime the consequences of rushing to judgement. If Hart does prove to be innocent, will he ever recover from this, either personally or in the public eye? A sexual assault case back in 2018 has taken now 5+ years before charges will be filed? Something doesn't smell right to me here.

I am also starting to realize that Hart's health issues were probably stress related. Ulcers/intestinal issues etc. Having something like this is like having an anvil hanging over your head. Especially for as long as it has been dragged out.
- MBFlyerfan

Spot on ... I talked to my son about this yesterday and told him to see the consequences when you make one bad decision in your life. Maybe Hart did not even participate but was there and did not intervene. It does not matter, he will be lumped in with this group forever. I am sure that had to take a toll on him, knowing this day would come.

100% they knew he was being investigated. drafting 2 goalies kinda early in the last draft with othe decent goalie prospects in the mix raised eyebrows about a possible trade, but it now seems it was due to the Hockey Canada situation.

If they knew this was coming, yet they continued to play him, it really doesn't look so good on them. Ottawa cut ties with Fermenton completely, and he went to Europe. Tampa traded Foote away last year..did they suspect something?How much did NJD know with 2 players on the team taking leaves?

Just a bad, sad situation.

Would like to see an energized game tonight...JD250....here is the time for Torts to shine....if he is as good as you say as a coach, he should be able to keep the team focused, and get them to stay focused on games. I am expecting a rough game tonight, and could easily see it being one sided.
- TheFreak

Hart’s mom probably called the flyers and told them he didn’t do anything😂

Yes, that is why you're innocent until proven guilty. I want to see the facts laid out before I form any judgements. I have seen way too many times in my lifetime the consequences of rushing to judgement. If Hart does prove to be innocent, will he ever recover from this, either personally or in the public eye? A sexual assault case back in 2018 has taken now 5+ years before charges will be filed? Something doesn't smell right to me here.
- jd250

I concur.
Way too much fog about this as of now to make any determination....but it looks BAD!

It’s a fair question from a hockey perspective. But even Elliot Freidman made reference when there was Hart trade talk around the draft that the world Jrs situation would have to be settled before anyone would trade for him. He was careful to say that he knew no specifics but that any player from that team that was at that event was under scrutiny.
- landros 2

Yes. I heard that podcast. Elliot knows a lot of things that he only circles around when he cannot be specific. We all knew this was coming. It was just a matter of when it would come.

Something seems off with her video recordings saying she was ok with it, and so straight she can't right now. Sounds like they were trying to get her on tape saying she was good with it for their own protection. Like..we have all had 1 night stands..how many of us have grabbed a camera or our phones and recorded a statement like that? To follow it up with a second video stating she is not drunk, when video footage shows she was heavily drinking. I hope this MM guy is also brought up on enabling or something, as he seems to have had a role in this whole event.
- TheFreak

This is what I got from that as well….these are 18-19 year old kids, not exactly the sharpest knives in the dwawers. Probably a scared kid in an adult situation, in over her head.

Hart’s mom probably called the flyers and told them he didn’t do anything😂
- 2Real

No his lawyer made that statement…unless his mom is doubling as his legal advisor?🤷‍♂️

Yes, that is why you're innocent until proven guilty. I want to see the facts laid out before I form any judgements. I have seen way too many times in my lifetime the consequences of rushing to judgement. If Hart does prove to be innocent, will he ever recover from this, either personally or in the public eye? A sexual assault case back in 2018 has taken now 5+ years before charges will be filed? Something doesn't smell right to me here.
- jd250

Remember the Duke lacrosse team incident? There are many others just like it, as well. This is why they have trials. To try to get to the truth. We'll see!

Spot on ... I talked to my son about this yesterday and told him to see the consequences when you make one bad decision in your life. Maybe Hart did not even participate but was there and did not intervene. It does not matter, he will be lumped in with this group forever. I am sure that had to take a toll on him, knowing this day would come.
- jd250

What’s lost is Hockey Canada paid 3.5 million. Do they do that if there’s any chance she’s lying?

With so many people ready to burn these guys at the stake without due process, now’s a good time for everyone to read up on the Duke Lacrosse scandal.

What’s lost is Hockey Canada paid 3.5 million. Do they do that if there’s any chance she’s lying?
- landros 2

Yes. Easier to make it go away than the bad press going to court.

100% they knew he was being investigated. drafting 2 goalies kinda early in the last draft with othe decent goalie prospects in the mix raised eyebrows about a possible trade, but it now seems it was due to the Hockey Canada situation.

If they knew this was coming, yet they continued to play him, it really doesn't look so good on them. Ottawa cut ties with Fermenton completely, and he went to Europe. Tampa traded Foote away last year..did they suspect something?How much did NJD know with 2 players on the team taking leaves?

Just a bad, sad situation.

Would like to see an energized game tonight...JD250....here is the time for Torts to shine....if he is as good as you say as a coach, he should be able to keep the team focused, and get them to stay focused on games. I am expecting a rough game tonight, and could easily see it being one sided.
- TheFreak

It was easy for Ottawa to cut ties as they just did not have to qualify Formenton. A lot harder to not play a goaltender who is under contract and healthy, despite an ongoing investigation. Not sure how that would've gone over with NHLPA. Good thing is his deal is up after this season. I think McLeod was re-signed this past offseason so it does beg the question of what did upper management know or not know. Though I guess there is not a lot of risk to a 1-year deal.

What’s lost is Hockey Canada paid 3.5 million. Do they do that if there’s any chance she’s lying?
- landros 2

There could be a few reasons why they paid her. Perhaps they were just paying her to go away and keep quiet about what they felt at the time was just some girl that
willingly screwed around with some players. Rather than allow her to extort them further, it was easier to pay for her silence.

As time marches on, though, it seems as though there may be more to this story than they initially believed. And Hockey Canada is taking a bigger black eye than the would have if they just leveled up and let the authorities sort it out at that time.

All that said, it's a tragic story for all involved because a group of 18 or 19 year old kids made very poor decisions that will cost them massively.

MacKinnon with another 4 goal game......thankfully we have his clone playing for us

MacKinnon with another 4 goal game......thankfully we have his clone playing for us
- THE BLACK HAND

It was easy for Ottawa to cut ties as they just did not have to qualify Formenton. A lot harder to not play a goaltender who is under contract and healthy, despite an ongoing investigation. Not sure how that would've gone over with NHLPA. Good thing is his deal is up after this season. I think McLeod was re-signed this past offseason so it does beg the question of what did upper management know or not know. Though I guess there is not a lot of risk to a 1-year deal.
- TobyFlenderson

Agreed, but he was a high 2nd round pick, and had put up 32 points in 79 games as a third year player. Wouldn't the Flyers reupp a guy who put up numbers like that in just his third year. He played 109 games in total, with 39 points. I would assume that would be enough for at least a qualifier.

Agreed, but he was a high 2nd round pick, and had put up 32 points in 79 games as a third year player. Wouldn't the Flyers reupp a guy who put up numbers like that in just his third year. He played 109 games in total, with 39 points. I would assume that would be enough for at least a qualifier.
- TheFreak

Yeah, definitely eye-opening. It's safe to say Ottawa at least knew some of the details.

Remember the Duke lacrosse team incident? There are many others just like it, as well. This is why they have trials. To try to get to the truth. We'll see!
- Letterkenney

They were all branded as guilty as soon as the accusations came out

They were all branded as guilty as soon as the accusations came out
- corduroy

Same goes for Trevor Bauer.

No Hart talk please.
- WhiskeyMan

Politics??

Same goes for Trevor Bauer.
- MBFlyerfan

What happened to him was a horrible crime, that woman should have been locked up but instead got a lot of money for her actions.

He his black balled from MLB for doing nothing wrong.

Politics??
- hockeylover

I think if we did that there might be death threats on this board.

Are there going to be any college kids making their pro debut this season?