NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 25, 2025
Five members of Canada’s WJC team found not guilty in sexual assault trial, the Florida Panthers could be on the verge of a dynasty, and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team were found not guilty of sexual assault in a London, Ontario courtroom on Thursday.
Former NHL players Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton were each acquitted of a sexual assault charge. McLeod was also found not guilty of a second charge of being a party to an offense.
In her ruling, Justice Maria Carroccia said she didn’t find the evidence of the complainant to be credible or reliable. She also stated that the Crown didn’t meet its burden to prove the five men’s guilt on any of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
SPORTSNET: The NHL released a statement indicating the five players remained ineligible to play in the league while it reviews the judge’s findings. The league stated that the allegations in the case were âvery disturbingâ, even if not deemed criminal. The league also described the players’ actions as âunacceptable.â
The NHL Players Association responded that the five players should âhave the opportunity to return to work,â claiming the NHL’s decision doesn’t align with the terms of their collective bargaining agreement.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A court of law found the players not guilty, but the court of public opinion could impede their return to the NHL. The league is handling this issue very carefully. Even if the players are allowed to return, teams could be reluctant to sign them.
Critics of the NHLPA’s position must realize that they’re doing their job by looking out for their members’ employment rights as per the CBA.
Since the allegations of sexual assault were revealed in 2022, Hockey Canada came under intense criticism for its handling of the situation, including a civil settlement paid in part from players’ registration fees. It led to changes within the organization’s leadership, a series of reforms regarding player conduct, and a loss of sponsors, though some of the latter have since returned.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake (NHL Images).
Some observers are concerned that the trial’s outcome could stall those changes to address sexual abuse, as well as hazing, racism, discrimination, and homophobia. It will be up to the current leadership of Hockey Canada to determine how far they will continue on their path of reforms.
SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Jackson Blake to an eight-year, $45 million contract extension.
The listed average annual value is $5.65 million, but Elliotte Friedman reports the actual AAV is $5.1 million due to deferred money.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The son of former NHL forward Jason Blake, Jackson had a promising debut last season, finishing with 17 goals and 34 points in 80 games, and six points in 15 playoff contests. The 21-year-old is a speedy, hardworking, energetic forward whose play made an obvious positive impression on Hurricanes management.
Blake is the third member of the Hurricanes to have deferred salary in their contracts, joining Jaccob Slavin and Seth Jarvis. This tactic remains allowable under the current CBA but will be banned when the new agreement takes effect next September. It’ll be interesting to see if other players end up with similar contracts before then.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Alan Greenberg believes the Panthers could be on the verge of creating something once considered impossible: creating a Stanley Cup dynasty in the salary-cap era.
The last true Cup dynasty was the New York Islanders of the early 1980s. They were the last team to win three straight championships, going on to capture four straight Cups from 1980 to 1983.
Greenberg thinks the Panthers could pull it off, citing their ability to keep most of their roster core intact. The significant increases in the salary cap for 2025-26 and the following two seasons improve their chances of maintaining a championship roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Betting against the Panthers winning three in a row could be hazardous to your pocketbook. However, two factors could derail their dynasty dreams.
The first is the amount of hockey they’ve played. They’ve been to three straight Stanley Cup Finals since 2023, meaning they’ve had less recovery time than other teams. Many of their core players will also be participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics next February.
It’s impressive that they’ve been able to maintain their current pace, but it could catch up with them next spring.
Age is another factor. The Panthers enter 2025-26 with the fourth-oldest roster (29.49) in the league. Granted, that’s skewed with greybeards like the 37-year-old Brad Marchand and 36-year-old Sergei Bobrovsky in the lineup, but it’s still a reason for concern.
DAILY FACEOFF: Scott Maxwell recently examined the 10 worst moves the Buffalo Sabres have made during their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.
Trading away Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis in 2018, Sam Reinhart to Florida, and Jack Eichel to Vegas were among those moves. They went on to bigger and better things (including Stanley Cup championships) with their new clubs.
Their first-round draft record was another significant factor. Apart from Eichel, Reinhart, and Rasmus Dahlin, they’ve done poorly between 2011 and 2022, with most of their choices being middle-of-the-road players or fringe NHLers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the draft record that’s the most surprising. While the Sabres have had some good picks in the later rounds (Linus Ullmark, Brandon Hagel, JJ Peterka), they eventually traded them away.
TORONTO SUN: The Rosedale, Ontario home of former Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan is up for sale. If you have around $14 million, the property can be yours.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Damn, it’s just out of my price range.
Coronato, 1 season with 24 goals and 23 assists gets $6.5M
Jackson Blake, 1 season with 17 goals and 17 assists gets $5.6M
Are Guerrin and Verbeek paying attention at all?
I’m sure Rossi and McTavish are (and they are both centers too which add even more value).
Floeyd7;add Logan Stankoven to that list at 6 million starting in 26-27.
After a combined season with Dallas and Carolina of 14g 24a 38pts that is a Helluva bump up … I’m sure Connor Zary in Calgary 13g 14a 27pts in 54gp is taking note too.
That was a great exchange on Rossi yesterday, showing a clear difference of opinion as to management “techniques” – the cap value of a high-producing C (or lack thereof due to size) – and the perceived effectiveness (and purpose) of the offer-sheet. Aided and abetted by the site’s creator! đ
And nice to see Pengy back. Now all we need is to see an exchange between him and 8787! Can’t wait for that, and today would be a great place to start what with the Penguins part of today’s topics in one of the threads.
And Tim Horton’s coffee is still sludge!
mcdonalds is way better….funny (or not funny) was the Costco sticker shock I got on the price of a big red tub of Foldgers. 25.99$ tha’fck!!!! How long before that trickles into fast food coffee places who have to raise their prices. Pretty sure that one can’t be blamed on bozo south. It’s bad crops or international pressure on coffee price or something
I think Tims is made by Folgers? I could be wrong about that and it might be Kraft, but agree McD is better. So are their cups (insulated) and lids.
Folgers is produced in the US, and yes there are US tariffs on most of the countries that produce coffee, he basically put tariffs on everyone didn’t he? Add that Canada has included coffee in it’s retaliatory tariffs against the US. Folgers and Coscto can’t eat that cost for long, if at all as you’re looking at close to 50% added as surtaxes.
My wife does the Costco runs, and won’t buy US made products anymore, so not sure where are beans come from, but pretty sure it won’t be from there, so you have probably options. But we grind our own coffee. No idea if that makes it taste better.
The only product I really miss is the Charmin.
đ¶ the best part of waking upâŠ
Absolutely Chrisms
My Brostein is back?
You mentioned above âwhat with the Penguins part of todayâs topics in one of the threads.â
Where are the Penguins mentioned?
Uhh, “one of the threads” denotes there is more than one .. The Headlines (this one) and the Rumor one, which begins with “The latest on Pittsburghâs Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell, and potential trade targets for the Penguins in todayâs NHL Rumor Mill.”
Or are we now going to spend the day debating what constitutes a “thread?” LOL
Hadnât gotten to Rumors section yet. Will check it out.
I thought Iâd missed a thread here.
I’ll admit the exchange is what I like about this place, agree/disagree we aren’t in an echo chamber and can express ourselves without acrimony.
Doesn’t mean we don’t get stubborn and dig our heels in sometimes but for the most part I know I’d enjoy a cup of coffee or a beer with folks here.
Agree … maybe one day gather in PEI.
One thing, though … both 8787 and Pengy have to be there!
Well, my lengthy rant may test some tolerances, but I agree with you wholeheartedly. I know I can get stubborn, my rationale is that I’m engaged.
And if 8787 and Pengy are there, are they using one chair, or two?
George O. yesterday you mentioned several teams with cap space make offer for RFA Marco Rossi. So SIMPLE, why these teams aren’t making an offer for RFA Marco Rossi as lose at least their 2026 1st round draft pick acquire Rossi. Heard near the Top of 2026 draft several great prospects. Next season each of those teams reasonable chance may not make the playoffs. They want keep their 2026 1st round lottery draft pick for chance draft Galvin McKenna or another All-star potential player – in other words Cornerstone player. In comparison to be fair Marco Rossi probably isn’t Cornerstone player. Why would any of those teams risk good chance drafting All-star potential player to Generational potential player? Imagine team made an offer for RFA Rossi, acquired him giving up their 2026 1st round pick and Wild win the lottery for the first overall draft pick?
I also said yesterday that any GM who relies on “getting lucky” in the draft as opposed to striking when an obviously better player than he has at that moment is available through an offer-sheet, is simply not doing his job.
You don’t win by “hoping to get lucky.”
Bowman should now at least make a call to Hartâs agent
There is nothing wrong in making the call. Hart was found Not Guilty.
Sure the prosecution has 30 days to appeal; but watching/reading all the analysis from yesterdayâs outcome (where so many keep focusing on the judges âemphaticâ statement that EMâs testimony was ânot credible or reliableâ and that the judge âemphaticallyâ stated that EM did actually provide consent) that seems unlikely.
Sure Bettman can still put a nix or temp suspension of any of the 5 returning; but Bettman sort of set a precedence with Virtanen (no suspension after NG).
And
Oilers have already made moves going against some public push-back:
-Hiring Bowman
-Evander Kane
-Perry
-they did sign Virtanen to a PTO just weeks after his NG ruling
Hart will come cheap on a 1 year âshow meâ /âprove itâ contract (less than $1.15 M that can be buried)
Hart is only 26, and has been working out
Hartâs numbers (while on a weaker Flyers team) would improve numbers on current Oilers tandem
Heâs a local
Itâs just s call
Hart was found legally not guilty; the court of public opinion might well consider still consider him at worst a sexual predator, and at least an idiot with poor judgement who lacks basic respect for women. Bowman already carries his own taint, do you really think he wants to add one more layer to that? I wouldn’t want my organization to go anywhere near those 5.
Agree totally. It’s going to take several years for the “stink” to dissipate within public opinion, by which time they will all have been out of the game too long.
If any wish to try and resurrect their hockey careers – already 6 years in the wilderness – their only chance might be in Europe.
Above should reads “already going on 3 years in the wilderness …”
My point is only that a call is literally not a problem
Just a call
I do believe he ends up back in the NHL (with noted public pushback) somewhere.
Oilers have already done this (moves/acquisitions contrary to public outcry) on 4 previous occasions: Bowman, Kane, Perry, Virtannen; and have weathered the storm through them.
How much push back (on those 4 moves) was there this season?
Just a call, thatâs all Iâm saying
Why? Not one of them is going to make any appreciable difference to a team’s performance, so why invite the aggravation and animosity that is sure to follow?
To what ultimate end?
There are other goalies somewhere in the pipeline, along with Fs and D who will come with no baggage. These clowns – who were thinking with the wrong head – should just quietly fade into the night.
Hart has been practising and has been out of the NHL less than 18 months (left in Feb of â24)
The issue is not if he is ready to play; itâs wether he gets Garyâs approval; then getting a contract.
This will be rightfully scrutinized by the public for years
My gut feeling is that he plays in NHL this year; and if so; at least two of the other 4 get a PTO
but is Hart even any better than Skinner?
id worry his mental makeup could make him too similar to Skinner…. one night he looks like Dryden and the next one dried up
Tough topic.
Tough tough topic.
Nothing would surprise me. It honestly would not surprise me to see Formenton in Belleville next season. He’s the only one of the 5 who’s rights are still held by an NHL club.
Agree.
A not guilty court decision does not mean they are not all still scumbags forever.
Hope their moms, sisters, wives/girlfriends and daughters are all proud of them.
No way I invite that into my organization and locker-room
I do get the public angst vs return issue but I do believe Hart WOULD be an improvement in the overall goalie tandom that Oilers have.
In a similar fashion (not the same obviously but similar):
Kane was brought on at a much cheaper hit than his production without baggage would have warranted
Perry was brought on as a cheap signing and proved to be productive in 2 cup runs
Oilers have goalie issues
Signing a 906 (on Flyers remember) goalie to anything $1.15 M or less (can be sent to AHL without counting against Cap) is not a financial or Cap risk
Heâll be (in 25/26) a low cost, low risk (Cap/Cash); with high potential upside signing
I do fully believe some team signs him
Why not it be hid âhomeâ town that NEEDS a goalie improvement
Just a call as at now
A call has zero risk IMHO
I think he’ll end up back in Philly (unfinished business). A young up-and-coming team in need of getting their goalie back. He can now concentrate on his job and not the legal troubles.
I think that he’ll eventually sign a team-friendly show-me contract to get into game shape for the second half of the season. IF he is allowed back in at some point, that is. It would not be the first time that the Flyers have carried 3 goalies during a season.
JMO that is all.
8787, if you have no intention on signing him, why call him? That conversation will change nothing. This has zero to do with the quality of the player on the ice or his cap hit.
This might be public opinion, or it might simply be what the NHL believes to right and wrong, and that playing in the NHL isn’t a right but a privilege. Like it or not kids and young men look up to NHL players. Athletes can say they aren’t role models, but they are. We all know that don’t we?
Want your 16 yr old son to think this is OK? And yes, he knows about this.
What do the other NHL players think? Not the PA, they’re doing what they have too, fair enough. If they win they win.
The PA might win, depends what the code of conduct clause says in the contract I suppose. And it’s there for a reason. I have one, and agree with it.
These guys are all a POS, until they prove they have learned something other than covering their own ass. After they do some penance, learn to be different, come on back.
For any young/teenage guys who might be reading this and not posting; Real men defend women, we’re bigger and stronger, we don’t gang up on them in a hotel room at 2 AM.
If you want to have sex with attractive women, stop watching that sh*t online, get in shape, shower regularly, and just talk to them while actually listening. It works and you may even find one you want to spend your life with. It isn’t actually hard at all. You don’t need to do this, and most of all; Don’t be a sh*t head.
Goalie is such a mental position. A Mcleod can probably deal with the chirps etc.
I can see Hart getting another contract but not sure how his career turns out.
I’ve never seen anything remotely resembling a beard on old rat whisker faced Marchand đ
8787, is winning hockey games so important to you that youâre willing to look the other way so long as it (maybe) improves your team? Get a life, man.
Oilers arenât my team
And again, my point is that there is nothing at all wrong with making the call
Itâs just a call
Further down in the thread Iâve stated my opinion on the trial outcome
Multiple guys having sex with one woman is apparently a dream come true for these guys but a fathers nightmare. I have no idea what happened but I do find the judges argument kind of lacking due to the evidence of how women act in situations like this and the testimony that E.M. gave so I wouldnt be surprised for an appeal. Also Its no clear evidence of wrongdoing but from what I have read it at least looks as if they tried to cover their tracks during and after the incident, why do that if you dont think you did something that was at least questionable?
I have a hard time seeing a Canadian team signing these players, especially Edmonton with a GM with his own history in Chicago. In general I think teams will hesitate and if they consider it they would have to be certain that the player in question can contribute at a level that is certain to outweigh the backlash and is there really any of them that you are certainly able to do that?
I’m with you Kent.
And you want to know why these sexual scandals continue to be prevalent across hockey culture? Because of coverups and men who continue to say “they weren’t found guilty and they can still help my team”.
And it will continue to exist until the NHL begins to address it. At some point, an example needs to be set that whether guilty or not guilty in a court of law, there are human standards that take precedent to play in the NHL.
Court decisions follow rules, guidelines, precedent and and judge if defendants are guilty or not guilty.
Those are the two choices in pleading.
Court of public opinion is subjective bs fully dependent on who sells what narrative with how much moral indignation.
We aren’t angels and ultimately have to be judged by the law not what others think.
HF30: What a refreshing point of view.
Consider this:
For those who believe the now acquitted 2018 Canadian national junior hockey players should not be signed by NHL teams due to their participation in group sex, would it surprise you to know that there might be adulterers playing in the NHL?
Or swingers, if that is still an in vogue term? How about single NHLers who might have sex with young women with no particular regard for them the morning after?
What if they were important players on your favourite team? Should these players be banned by their teams if their sex lives became known?
If not, what is the difference between them and the players who were found innocent – aside from the NHL’s suspension of them when they were charged, that is.
Should they remain under suspension because their proclivities on the night in question are distasteful to many? In other words, morally repugnant in one parlance, puritanical in another. Oh the great hypocrisy the Court of Public Opinion, the handmaiden of mob rule.
Consider also that female sex workers, porn starts, and those who like group sex may not likely acting the way their parents want, but they are still daughters exercising choice. Isn’t it sexist to think only males act a certain way? Or does that deprive you of your pulpit?
As for the justice system, how did you want the players to plead: Guilty, or Guilty?
HF30 and LJ. Congratulations, you both nailed it!
Everyone involved has suffered enough. Allow all to repent and move on.
That is where we differ guys, I don’t think she believed she had a choice at all. I think she was terrified. 5 guys, all of whom are bigger and stronger than she is.
Here is what I believe, feel free to disagree: If you did an anonymous poll with 100 young single guys and asked if they would be fine with one of them and 5 women, even if they just met, almost all would say yes. We’re all guys commenting on this.
If you reversed it with a young woman and 5 guys they either just met or hadn’t met at all until that moment, almost all would say no. Like 99.99% of them. They would be afraid.
Men and women are different. Not saying women don’t like sex as much as us, they do, but EM would have to be different than every woman I have ever known in my life if put in that situation. Odds on that?
I keep urging folks to ask a woman in their life to put themselves in that position as a 20 year old. And shut up and listen.
A court isn’t about what happened, its about what you can prove. Which is the way it should be unless someone has a better idea.
Anyone honestly believe OJ didn’t kill his ex wife? Lots of people had to know about Epstein and what he was up to. But can you prove it?
Yes I went there!
Ray Bark,
I think you’re out of touch with young people today and forgetful of the past . Starting with the past, the Woodstock generation opened the door to free love, promiscuity, a lot of shared partners and that went on to next gen.
Certainly I remember open encounters, none of which were forced.
Today there are plenty of young women for whom a body count is important.
Ask 100 young women who would be open to be with 5 men and/or women, there would be quite a few yeses.
Young people TODAY identify in so many different ways than before and you’re ignoring that entirely.
The Judge found the girl’s testimony to not be credible for a number of reasons,
Neither of us were in the courtroom but I don’t think the Judge would take that decision or make the statement if she didn’t believe it and had a big reason.
Ray, this is the way I look at it. Everyone in that room behaved inappropriately including EM who made poor choices to get her to the point where she was in a room with 5+ strange men. She had a boyfriend and decided to have sex with a guy she just met. The inviting of other men started after they already had sex and McLeod asks who wants to be in a three way. Whose idea do you think that was Ray? Iâm almost certain that Hart when he replied, Iâm in was thinking 2 girls and a guy not 2 guys and a girl. When Hart got there there was no threesome that he was involved in. From all the testimony I read, it was likely she asked for the 3 way. The video sunk her case. As the Judge said she did not look drunk and she was obviously not under duress. She says in the video that she gave consent and had a good time and the Judge believed her.Lastly, itâs highly unlikely these guys ID themselves as World Junior hockey players, gang rape her and let her walk out the front door thinking sheâll be quiet. They felt they had her consent for all that happened. Having said all that , all 5 of them are pigs but being a pig is not a crime. They have been punished by losing millions and likely their careers are over.
HF30, the opposite is true. Young people (Gen Z) are having less sex today than we did, by a lot, not a little. And, if I may say, did quite well in that category once I realized women liked me. It’s when I went away for school when I caught on.
What the research says:
More of them, mostly women, are prioritizing quality vs quantity.
For men it’s online gratification, so porn. (I would bet my truck these guys got their fill of it) News flash, that isn’t real life.
More live with their parents, longer.
Increased rates of anxiety and depression across both sexes.
Less pressure today, no rush for sex. Culture is different than when we grew up that way.
Not sure the 60’s were about 5 guys on a girl they didn’t know. No offence, but really?
I know what the judge said, some of her testimony didn’t match exactly with previous, and the prosecution didn’t meet it’s burden; proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Her word against theirs doesn’t do that.
What I think happened is Macleod met her and had sex with her (kinda like the when we were young). Invites his buddies, she comes out of the bathroom and there are a bunch of guys in there.
I think she gave the guys each a BJ, recorded what they wanted her to say, got the F out of there because she feared being raped if she didn’t.
Was the fear of that rational or based in reality? I dunno, she didn’t know either I would guess. And why the F*** are they in there? Seriously, why? Did Maclead ask, hey I’m gonna invite my buddies over so they can all have their turn, sound good?
If she said yes, that would have been consent. Once they were in there, in her mind, and most women’s, she was trapped.
Can you prove that? I don’t know how.
Ray Bark,
Our description of what goes on in life, past and present are very different yet both are very true in general terms.
Our views are influenced by personal experience, information, circles which is normal and accounts for different lenses that we look through..
However, it doesn’t prove what happened or how and “popular opinion” is just a reflection of the biases we all have and use to fill in the blanks without any factual basis.
That’s what courts are for, that’s why we have judges to sift through the testimony and her conclusions were:
âConsidering the evidence in this trial as a whole, I conclude that the Crown cannot meet its onus on any of the counts,â she said, adding that she did not find the complainantâs testimony to be âeither credible or reliable.â
The Crown has 30 days to appeal and I assume that’s why the NHL wants time to review, not to get out over their skis.
HF30, I don’t disagree with the courts decision as the they didn’t meet the standard required vs the statute. And I don’t disagree with the standard required, as what else could it be.
Gaps in her testimony sure, but not surprising it was 7 years ago, they were all drinking.
Also not all evidence was allowed like text messages between 2 other players from back then who were in the room, as they were not charged, and claimed they had no memory anymore of the event. The texts were about her being “slapped so hard” Okeedokee then, I guess you forgot? If that’s the law, that’s the law. But that also makes at least 7 guys in the room. More the merrier!
I’ll try and make my point with a real life story.
Example – I was in a situation once after our baseball game on a Friday. I’m chatting up the new pretty waitress and her just as pretty friend, and she’s doing the touch your shoulder, then my knee, standard flirting stuff. Things are looking good! The waitress, who was doing the flirting, invites me to their apartment. Absolutely!
We’re there, I misread signals as I’m drunk, and basically ask for a 3 some because that would be cool right!
At least they let me sleep it off on the couch before I did the walk back to my car. In my ball uniform, at 6 in the morning. Cool! All I accomplished is I blew it with the sweetheart that liked me.
That’s just one story I could tell, but also the reality with the ladies. And my reality matches all of our realities doesn’t it guys? Like seriously? And it’s the opposite of what happened in this case. Call it a bias if you want, guilty as charged.
There is no F’n way she was cool with it.
Hi all
I know that many of you disagree with me on most points; so I wonât be surprised if my viewpoint on this differs from some here.
Ray ,
Iâm sorry to say but I disagree with your viewpoint that EM had no choice; and was scared into doing what she did. This is my opinion, not a statement of fact.
Iâm in no way condoning the overall behaviour of participants in the room (including EM).
Young and foolish/idiotic behavior . There were no saints in that room IMO.
But to say that she only did what she did because she was scared; my opinion: I just can in no way buy it. Thatâs my opinion, not a statement of fact. I just literally canât buy that argument.
Asking all there âŠ. âIs any one of you going to #%%^ me or are youâŠ. P#%<iesâ. Does not come across to me as a scared individual, IMHO.
Leading by the hand the youngest participant there (2 years younger than her) into the bathroom; closing the door and having intercourse and oral; IMO just doesnât hold water in the argument that she was scared into doing that.
The judge âempathically â (many reporters used this specific word) stated that EMâs testimony was neither credible or reliable. The judge went even further in stating EM DID in fact provide consent. (NOTE: The judge could have said that the prosecution failed to prove that consent was not granted. Stating categorically that EM DID in fact grant consent, goes a long way.)
No one here was in that room. No one (but EM) can say for sure what EM was feeling (scared? consenting? not consenting). No one but the players know whether they believed they had consent or not.
So all here is our opinion.
My opinion is if I am 18, and a 20 year old woman (who has already been sexually intimate with more than one of my friends in front of me) leads me by the hand into the bathroom to have sex with me; Iâd find it very hard to say no. I would (thatâs me time-warping to me at 18, not me at 50!)
Per EMâs statement to the police when asked if she was upset; she said she angry at McLeod because he wouldnât help her find the missing jewelry and didnât call her an uber.
Again, let me make this clear; I in no way know specifically what went on in that room; how people felt etc; and Iâm not condoning behavior/supporting (other than perhaps Formenton) the players or EM on this
But if you are asking my opinion on whether EM granted consent; I am agreeing with the judge. Consent was given. NOTE: My opinion; Iâm not stating a fact
If you are asking my opinion whether any of the men committed a sexual assault. Again; I agree with what the judge has said. Once again, thatâs an opinion, not at all stating a fact.
If you are asking my opinion whether EMâs testimony was reliable and/or credible. Again, IMO, the judges statement was accurate.
This does in no way means I believe the 5 were totally truthful. IMO, they were not.
It is just that, AGAIN in my opinion, EMâs testimony was far less credible; far less reliable, than ANY of their testimony.
In summary, in my opinion, EM did NOT perform those acts out of fear; and I do not believe ANY of the 5 are guilty of sexual assault.
I get the morally reprehensible argument (thatâs , again IMO, including EM)
I get the angst. I get the outcry.
No one (and I mean no one) is 100% satisfied or happy with what happened in that room; how things were handled; how things were reported; the outcome of the trial; and whatever result happens in the next few weeks. No one.
My opinion might be completely opposite to yours; might be bang on.
Itâs just my opinion.
I respect that there will be those (Ray has already stated his differing opinion) here who wholeheartedly disagree with my viewpoint. I respect that. Itâs your viewpoint, your opinion, well thought out and not given rashly. I respect that.
My viewpoint/opinion just happens to differ from yours.
While I agree these kids put themselves in a bad spot . The girl did as well . I was lucky enough to play Jr and the girls were throwing them selfs at as us every place we played .
Not saying that the 5 guys did not push her to do more than she wanted ( we will never know) but in my experience i am guessing she did it and regretted it after . Far from an expert on this just an opinion.
But will say happy the NHL seems to hold there players to a higher standard. If they were NFL players they would have had contracts yesterday.
The standard is the law.
They were not guilty.
Even more, She was not credible.
âA higher standardâ⊠than the law? Not guilty. That âhigher standardâ is judged how and equally how? That is a very slippery and dangerous slope.