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During the past few weeks, we have seen the White House use this technique to credit/discredit witnesses and accusers. From Monica Lewinsky, to Linda Tripp, to Kathleen Willey, to Kenneth Starr, the "Spin Doctors" have the answer, regardless of the question.
Washington watchers across the fruited plain have noticed that it is the Spin Doctors, not necessarily your own eyes and ears, that will give you the correct explanation of any perceived impropriety.
Oh yeah, one more thing-these Washington "Spin Experts" are very , very effective.
Perhaps this explains the rationale employed last week by the St. Louis Blues at their mock State of the Team address. General Manager Larry Pleau announced contract extensions for Grant Fuhr and Kelly Chase, as well as naming former Captain Rick Meagher as an Assistant Coach.
Pleau also announced that contract negotiations for veterans Brett Hull and Al MacInnis have been terminated and contract offers have been rescinded until July.
Recognizing a potential PR disaster, the Blues reverted to a spin tactic employed by the Cardinals during an Ozzie Smith contract negotiations. During one off season, the Wizard was frustrated by his lack of progress in securing a contract extension. He appeared on every media outlet that would provide him air time or column space to bash the insensitivity of the Cardinals. The Red Birds responded by going public with their contract offer to Smith and VIOLA, public opinion changed.
The Spin worked.
Ozzie's public relations tactic backfired and he re-signed with the Cardinals.
Using that strategy, the Blues announced contract offers of $12.6 Million and $15 Million for Mac Innis and Hull, respectively. Each were turned down. Pleau outlined the team's dollar and cents approach to these offers, and disclosed the thought process on how each of the totals were computed.
In his concluding remarks, the General Manager indicated that while the Blues' organization understood and respected why each veteran opted for free agency, Management was shocked that the sweetened contract offers were rejected
Spin Control
Let's now talk to the players.
As is his style, Mac Innis refused to comment publicly on the negotiations, and simply spoke about the team's progress on the ice.
As is his style, Hull spun his version of the situation. Using the Hockey scribes at the Post-Dispatch and the television talking heads as his standard pulpit, Hull strongly exclaimed that "this is NOT about money". Rather, #16 wants assurances that he will remain in St. Louis for the balance of his career, thus controlling his own destiny.
Hull concluded his remarks reiterating his desire to stay in St. Louis and his love for the franchise.
Counter Spin Control
Perhaps it would be best to analyze each situation while not watching the "While my World Spins" Soap Opera. Let's go in numerical order.
Al Mac Innis is an All Star Defenseman, former Conn Symthe Trophy winner with a Stanley Cup ring. Aside from possessing the hardest slap shot in the league (according to the 1998 NHL Skills Competition), he is a solid hockey player.
Above all, Mac Innis is a class act. He has seen first hand the good, bad and ugly in this franchise: the Keenan years, the "Millionaire Boys Club" Years, the Mike Shanahan era. Despite it all, MacInnis kept his feelings to himself, not going public with his frustrations of his teammates and/or bosses.
Mac Innis wants to test the market for his talents. With his resume, wouldn't you? I imagine, if asked privately, he would request a no-trade clause. I also imagine, that out of respect, he would present his offer to the Blues for matching.
However, sources have told me that both Detroit and Toronto covet MacInnis and are dropping subtle hints to secure his services. The All Star Defenseman will be expensive to retain.
Let's move down a few lockers to #16.
Brett Hull, by current N H L standards and by his marketability in St. Louis is worth $5 Million for three years. The Blues were reluctant to make this offer but eventually upped the ante three different times to the $5 Million plateau.
But with $5 Million now on the table, here comes the newest perk, a no trade clause.
St. Louis sports fans are familiar with their heroes requesting such a clause. Remember the name Gregg Jefferies?? Little Elvis said he loved St. Louis and did not want to leave. When the Cardinals reached a dollar agreement with Jefferies, he insisted on a no-trade clause. The result: Jefferies signed a deal containing the no-trade clause with the Philadelphia Phillies for the exact same dollar amount the Cardinals offered. I'm sure Jefferies is delighted spending summers in the Siberia of the National League with that coveted no trade clause
Hull's statement is right: "It's not about money". What it's about is ego. 1997-1998 is the first season that Brett Hull did not run this hockey team. In previous seasons, during his public whining and finger pointing , the Blues caved in with Hull's demands. Iron Mike Keenan came to town to put Brett and his buddies in place. Hockey fans throughout the Gateway City knew a showdown was inevitable. Once the dust finally settled, only #16 remained standing.
This Management Team, starting with Mark Sauer made it clear from the start who was in charge and displayed a zero tolerance with Hull and his press debriefing sessions. At Christmas time, Blues Management was livid over a Hull radio appearance. The Golden One was interviewed on a pre-game Chicago Black Hawk radio show, not only suggesting that his time in St. Louis was limited, but alluded that the Windy City may be a nice place to hang his shingle.
(One side note: I am not naïve enough to believe that Hull and his newest best buddy Chris Chelios did not discuss home prices, drinking establishments and golf courses in the Chicago area, while sipping saki during the fee hours in Nagano.)
(For those of you who cry tampering, who is Gary Bettman going to believe? : the Blues who are guilty of running up players salaries, or Bill Wirtz who still runs the NHL??)
The Blues issued a statement that no-trade clauses are unacceptable in future negotiations. No can not argue with that in light of the escalating salaries and egos of the players. Of particular note, the Blues simply want some degree of leverage over Brett Hull. Without that hammer, Blues Management feels that #16 could be uncontrollable. Based on past history, you can not blame the Blues for this position either.
This situation, unfortunately, is the result of previous Blues management.
Season by season, from Adam Oates, to new play making centers to Mike Keenan, to dump and chase hockey, to new contract negotiations, to Olympic Team General Manager, to NHL Rules Advisor, the Golden One has constantly found problems keeping him from being happy. You can't blame #16, though, in most cases in the past when he cried, his needs were addressed.
This time, the lines have been drawn in the sand.
With the playoffs right around the corner, it would be a shame if this spinning and counter spinning would distract the focus of the team. The Blues have the POTENTIAL to advance in this year's Stanley Cup marathon.
However, as is their tradition, the Blues' story off the ice will not go away until the summer.
So good luck to you, Coach Quenneville, you'll need it. One piece of advice though: Don't forget to buckle your seat belt during this spin cycle.
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