Bettman, Fehr plan to attend Hall of Fame induction

As of this moment, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA head Donald Fehr expect to attend Monday’s 2012 Hockey Hall of Fame induction, The Canadian Press’ Chris Johnston reports.

Many believe the lockout is casting a shadow over the event – especially since the tone of the negotiations went sour again this weekend – prompting some to wonder if they should sit the event out.

The Sporting News’ Jesse Spector doesn’t pull any punches when he explains why the debating duo should stay away from what’s normally a joyous hockey event.

Here are three of his most blistering paragraphs:

 … Bettman and Daly already have teamed up with their NHLPA counterparts to bring down hockey in the present, and seriously hinder the game’s future. Might as well go for the hat trick and spoil a day meant to celebrate the past.

Make no mistake, if Bettman and Daly show up at the Hall of Fame on Monday—a day that is supposed to be about Sakic, Pavel Bure, Adam Oates, and Mats Sundin—they will steal the spotlight. Newspapers and television stations only have so much space and time to devote to hockey, and the presence of the NHL’s head honchos would require chronicling at the expense of the Hall of Famers. Even if Bettman and Daly refuse to speak to the media at the ceremony, their no-comments would merit a story.

These men are supposed to be the guardians of hockey, above all else. Even in labor negotiations, as badly as they are going, Bettman and Daly can at least say that they are working in the best interests of hockey, trying to keep the NHL on solid financial footing. Showing up at the Hall of Fame inductions, at a time when they have to know their presence will distract from the celebration, is not in anyone’s best interests.

Do you agree that the two “guardians of hockey” should stay out of the way?