Canucks, NHL Russia Dilemma Brings Meaningful Fan Response, Some Angry

We ended our Sunday column on the Vancouver Canucks and NHL’s handling of the communications related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a simple query; Any other ideas?

Given there is no ‘right’ answer and this is a topic full of grey area, we asked for widespread input and received it, full of emotion and a lot of practicality. Below you’ll find a sampling from the dialogue.

The response from Vancouver Canucks supporters, fans of other NHL teams, and concerned citizens in general, was almost overwhelming. Thank you for all of your thoughts.

Someone who goes by ‘mee’ included:

Whatever’s going on with Russia has exactly ZERO to do with anyone from that country wanting to play hockey. And that’s the way it should be.
Punishing a bunch of teenagers from Russia, excluding them from the World Juniors was also stupid to the hilt.
GOOD GRIEF PEOPLE.

‘Terry’, ‘Will’ and ‘Robert’ agreed with one another:

– I don’t really think Putin would give a damn about what the NHL does with Russian players. If they are suspended from play until the conflict is over, he would just tell them to come home and play in the KHL. I seriously doubt he will change his agenda in the Ukraine based on the plight of a few hockey players.

— If you think that sending innocent Russian players home to send a message to their government will do anything other than reduce the quality of NHL hockey, then you are dreaming. Ukraine does not want to negotiate peace, hockey players will not stop this “war”

— I agree completely. The players are caught in the middle. Unless they’re diehard Putin fans, I think most of the NHL Russian players are aware of what’s happening because they live in North America most of the time so news broadcasts are obvious but if they speak out too strenuously, Putin has a way of reaching Russians anywhere so the best course is to shut up..hope Ukraine comes out ahead and play hockey.

‘Paul’ elaborated, this is just a portion …

I ask you this . If these players were openly Pro Putin we would have heard something. The fact we haven’t shows they are fearful of persecution and persecution of their families. What we can do as Canadians is support them not criticize them. That’s what our country is supposed to stand for.

Russia is the only one that can end the war, and the best scenario with the least bloodshed is that is done from within Russia by Russians themselves. This is a propaganda driven war. Isolating and blaming the Russian people who have no power in this totalitarian society will have the opposite effect to our end goal.

We need to win their hearts and minds by supporting the people and at the same time isolating their government so that the Russian People take care of it themselves.

Taking it out on innocent people and hockey players is not the answer. We want them to call home and spread whats really going on not back them into a corner.

While most supported the Vancouver Canucks and Russian players in general, some suggested Canada look in the mirror, like ‘Denny’:

Most importantly war only makes the rich, richer. Look at Canada, a so called poor, young country and look at the billions they just gave the Ukraine to fight. Talk about a subject to argue about. Fix and heal your (own) country’s shame, simulation, and murder before you run off giving billions to a third world country who gives us nothing.

There were dozens of responses via the social medias, ranging from dismay at VHN’s approach to this, to conspiracy theories, to quickies …

Raul said:

Keep politics and sport separate.

Don said:

Send them home.

Susan said:

Just my opinion, but as there is a war presently going on, playing hockey should be put on the back burner in regards to players from other countries.

And we’ll wrap with Wes:

Wow. I’ve mostly been impressed with the articles, this one however is down right terrible. I get the fact many are frustrated by what is happening in Ukraine and shocked at the horrors. Let’s not forget Russia isn’t exactly democratically (sic) and the political brass is quite brutal on dissenters within their country. It’s absolutely understandable to be angry with Russian leadership, the political machine and military … but hockey players? Come on. Like you said, they speak up, when the return (home) they are imprisoned…or worse, one of their family members disappears.

As to those that may have suggested otherwise, sorry, there was no political agenda to this story. Outside of being angry about the carnage, the idea was to encourage dialogue and to contemplate if the NHL should take a different tact as it relates to Russian players speaking openly. Or not.

We’ll likely be dealing with the status quo public relations-wise this season as the war rages on.

Possibly the best way the Vancouver Canucks and NHL can assist is by sending material support behind the scenes. Money, clothes, blood, whatever might be considered possible and helpful. It may already be happening to some degree, but it appears folks believe it should best be done quietly.