Mark Bell is facing months in jail at the end of the NHL season.  He was involed in a car accident when he was drunk and he hurt someone.  He entered a substance abuse program and pleaded guilty to the charges he was facing.  His actions cannot be excused, but it looks as though he's turning his life around and taking responsibility for his actions. Thats not enough for Gary Betman.

Betman trying to be the big man over the whole situation suspended Bell for fifteen regular season games.  Perhaps Betman thought "hey Roger Godell is a hard ass so maybe I should be too!"  For whatever reason Betman has it seems small and petty at this point.  This is not the NBA or NFL, players are not carrying guns, dog fighting, beating thier wives, running over police officers, or smoking dope.  The NHL has no image problem because quite frankly it has no image! 

This would of been a great time for the league to show that ninety nine point five percent of its players not only are good citizens, but they are good people.  And when they other point five percent make a mistake, the league gets them back on thier feet.  Instead Betman treats the players like children and says its a privilege to play in the NHL so you better behave.  Its not a privilege to play in the NHL, its a business.

Betman wants to clean up the leagues image so he's doing the best he can to create a negative one.  Mark Bell should not be excused from his actions but instead of coming down on him the NHL should make a stand against drinking and driving.  This suspension accomplishes nothing.