Not that this is really news, but it's what's going on.
For those who missed it, Dave Bolland was on a Wednesday radio show with noted bullhorn David Kaplan on WGN. In this interview, in front of a live audience mind you, Bolland had some rather lame and choice words for his favorite target the Sedin twins in Vancouver.
He called them "sisters," and said they'd never be welcome on the Hawks.
This, of course, raised a stir in some circles, and raised the ire of some of the Canucks themselves.
Coach Alain Vigneualt said that Bolland had the brain the size of birdseed, whatever that might mean, and of course Kevin Bieksa had some thoughts as well.
It was all very adult, I assure you.
First, let's point out that this was in front of a live audience that Kaplan wasn't hesitating to stoke. Second, it's important to note the Kaplan is a Grade A moron who appeals to the meatball quotient of Chicago in all circles. He knows nothing about hockey, or any other sport for that matter. He's one of those unfortunate creatures in sports broadcasting and commentary that thinks if he talks louder it means he's smarter. This wasn't a debate at Harvard Law by any means.
I love Bolland as a player, but let's face it, he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Most athletes aren't. So he sees an audience waiting to hear something spicy, a host baiting him, and he can't help himself.
It's not a shock. I could even complain about the lameness of the joke, as I'm a writer, but I wasn't expecting much.
This "rat" character that Bolland has cultivated is clearly something to which the press and Bolland love to play. I'm not sure how big of a deal it really is. There's so much more to Bolland's game than getting under the skin of opponents. He should be appreciated for all he does, and not settle for the title of "nuisance".
Of course Bolland was made to apologize after someone higher up got to him, but whatever damage there was was already done. Now the games between the two are even more poisoned, the pressure on Bolland even more upped, the motivation for the Sedins and Canucks even higher. Hope Bolland is up to it, he's certainly on the line now.
Then again, this whole thing is dumb.
Sam Fels is the proprietor of The Committed Indian, an unofficial program for the Blackhawks. You may have seen him hocking the magazine outside the United Center at Gate 3. The program is also available for purchase online. Fels is a lifelong 'Hawks fan and he also writes for Second City Hockey .
