The alleged gambling ring involving Rick Tocchet has cast a pall over the NHL, which ordinarily draws the least media attention of the major sports.

01:00 AM EST on Friday, February 10, 2006

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Mum was the word around the TD Banknorth Garden yesterday about the alleged countrywide gambling ring involving former Bruin and current Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet.

After playing in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Bruins coach Mike Sullivan canceled yesterday's game-day skate. Only forward Eric Nickulas and injured defenseman Ian Moran skated along with goaltender Andrew Raycroft.

While Bruins players were told by coach Sullivan to remain focused on the task at hand and not discuss the matter hanging over the NHL, some New Jersey Devils personnel did discuss the issue.

"It's very unfortunate," said New Jersey general manager/coach Lou Lamoriello. "It's very disappointing, but I don't have enough knowledge to really comment on it. I know our commissioner will do everything he can to make sure everything goes in the proper direction."

The incident, which is still under investigation, was the talk around Boston yesterday -- albeit just whispers among hockey personnel.

Former Bruins defenseman and current New Jersey blueliner Sean Brown spoke about the situation, even though there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

"Obviously it is unfortunate for the league," Brown said. "It's tough to comment on something that you don't know too much about."

Discussions on the matter have been the focus of talk radio for the last two days, and most people wanted to know what the big deal was, since almost everyone bets on sports.

"I wouldn't say everybody gambles," Brown said. "Probably a large number of the population does. When you are talking about millions of dollars, that's when it becomes a big deal. Fifty bucks here and there is not that bad, but when you have big money and when police get involved, it's serious. The police just don't get involved for nothing, for no reason."

No question the league has rebounded from the lockout of a season ago, but with players being disciplined for steroids (Bryan Berard and Jose Theodore), along with this betting incident, has cast a dark cloud over the league.

"We went through the lockout and we got some bad press about that," Brown said. "We got the game going again, and we're just getting over that, then this happens. It is probably a step backwards. Anytime something happens in another sport, whether it's steroids or something else, it is our turn to step up, and now we've got this."

Brown explained that hockey highlights are always the last to be mentioned on any sports broadcast in the States, but as soon as something negative happens, it leads all the newscasts.

"All of a sudden [hockey] is No. 1," he said, "and that is what [stinks]."

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340