Tocchet gets 2 years on probation after pleading guilty in May to promoting gambling and conspiracy to promote gambling. It is a seemingly lenient penalty because he is, as Attorney General Anne Milgram said in the statement, "a first time offender." Milgram continues on to say "But make no mistake, he is paying a heavy price for his foray into the world of illegal bookmaking. He must now live with the stigma and consequences of being a convicted felon.''Stigma and consequences is right, because now the NHL will finally be put in a position as to what do with Tocchet. He has been suspended pending the legal conclusion of this matter, forbidden to return as Wayne Gretzky's assistant coach in Phoenix.
With the NBA in a more high profile gambling scandal of its own, Greg Wyshnyski thinks it is time to make an example of Tocchet. It is a thoughtful article by Wyshnyski, completely honest and nowhere near the preaching you might expect by the headline.
Meanwhile, Jes Golbez says "Spare me the moralizing and let Rick Tocchet coach again." It too is a brilliant piece of writing, and looks at both sides of the debate from his angle.
The heavy weight bloggers at AOL Fanhouse do the point-counterpoint arguments better than anyone.
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