This article is a direct indication of why you sir are now blog writer. A lack of information and a shallow ambition to gain attention will lead an experienced writer of more than 25 years to call a 23 year old NHL rookie a "nitwit". Since we are drawing conclusions on our intial assumptions of a paticular subject, I would like to assume you remain a blog writer after finding out there is some explanation as to why a young man who makes a half million dollars a year had possession of a womans purse. With any luck Ted Leonsis will read this and admire your aggresive writing approach and add to his blog panel of new wave sports writers. You still got it Bill, don't give up.
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Tyler,
Thanks for the encouraging note. However, you have missed a small point. Not only am I blog writer but also have a daily column that runs in the print edition of the Baltimore Sun five days a week. But you can follow that as well on the newspaper Web site. You know, having a sports writer call that 23-year-old hockey player a nitwit is the least of his problems. His bigger concern is what prosecutors will call him ... the defendant.
-- Bill O.

This story lacked information and only had an attention grabbing headline. Is that what you spent 25 years in journalism for? Oh wait that's why they keep moving you around. You aren't very good at what you do.

He obviously took the purse for a reason. A silly way to try and meet the owner of the purse perhaps? His biggest concern won't be prosecutors. He will get off. His biggest concerns is moronic "journalists" like yourself bringing shame to a great team with a great history. Other professional athletes have done much worse things. Give the guy a break.
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Mr. Smith,
You write that the player obviously took the purse for a reason and suggest it was his way to get a date. If there's anything moronic about the espisode, the motive you yourself suggest is certainly that, if true. Oh, let's see what felony can I committ today to get that lady's attention. The only thing bringing shame to the storied Montreal franchise here is the player's alleged actions. If he's exonerated, we'll mention that as well. Thanks for writing.
-- Bill O.

Bill, We all know the Justice Department gives these NHL "nitwit's" special concessions to work in the U.S. Maybe they are not nitwits after all because they know that being part of the NHL product allows them to act like "spoiled little baby's"

Can we safely call you a nitwit for wading in with some pithy blog comments on a subject where you don't have all the facts? Or the fact that Lafleur doesn't have a capital F?
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Mr. Carruthers,
Thanks for writing. My bad on Lafleur ... we'll fix it ... but if you're equating a misplaced capital letter with a felony arrest, you're reaching badly. You mentioned facts. Here's a fact ... he was arrested holding the women's cell phone and purse. Here's another fact ... when he had a chance to explain himself publicly, he did not. If there's a perfectly innocent explanation ... tell the police, tell the fans. Interestingly, he said he apologized to his teammates. That's from his own mouth. So, what was he apologizing for. Now, has he been convicted. No. So I didn't conclude he was guilty. But did putting himself in this position in the first place make him worthy of that observation ... I think so.
Curious, how do you explain what happened.
-- Bill O.

I must say I appreciated your relaxed and humble response, I'm sure you could have been a little more aggressive. The truth is, I might have been a little eager to assume that you were another American sports writer who wanted to take a shot at the game. I understand that Americans on average do not follow the game with much passion as Canadians and that is fine. As such, many American media outlets are reluctant to produce little or any coverage of the sport, which again is fine by me. However, it troubles me when I see stories such as these surface despite the usual disinterest in the sport.

Inevitably, it is a news-sports story and although the name "nitwit" might have been harsh in my opinion, I will have to apologize for critizing you beyond the realms of the article which was not fair and of poor taste on my part. In my defence, I don't like the idea of people who are foreign to the game forming their opinions of hockey players based on the incident.
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Tyler,
I was in Philadelphia when the Flyers were in their heyday so while not an expert in a technical sense, I did develop a fan's interest in the sport. Not only that but for years, a neighbor was Reggie Meserve of the old Philadelphia Ramblers. And I should add this ... of all the professional athletes I have had to deal with over a couple of decades, hockey players are consistently the most down to earth and pleasant to deal with. Thanks for writing.
-- Bill O.