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"Die Hard NHL Fan"
Town?, TX • United States • 2009 Years Old • Male
It seems the trade between Toronto and San Jose has taken an interesting course. Mark Bell aquired along with Vesa Toskala by Toronto for first and second-round picks in 2007 and a 2009 fourth-round pick has tested positive for a substance abuse violation. This is the second time he has tested positive. Mark Bell was the 8th pick overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1998 has had some good yrs. He his a quality Left Wing that has put up some decent numbers over his 9 yr career.

Mark Bell's Stats:
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Mark Bell is now entering Stage 2 of the substance abuse policy. The stages are as follows:
Stage One: First in-patient treatment; no penalty to the player.

Stage Two: For violation of Stage One, suspension without pay during active phase of treatment and then eligible for reinstatement.

Stage Three: For violation of Stage Two, suspension without pay for at least six months and then eligible for reinstatement.

Stage Four: For violation of Stage Three, suspension without pay for at least one year and reinstatement not assured.


Copy of Article 47 regarding the substance abuse policy:
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image coutrsey of http://www.nhlpa.com


After Bell has completed the SABH program ( Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health he can be reinstated back to an active player. How does this help and hurt Toronto in regards to the salary cap?

Players suspended by either the team or the NHL will not count for the duration of the suspension as long as the player is not receiving his salary; however, teams must keep enough payroll space available to be able to accept the player should his suspension end immediately.

I dont see Toronto trying to fill his spot by grabbing any available LW in the UFA market unless they dont plan on keeping him once he is out of the "Program". For a team that was ranked 25th out of 30 teams in Goals Allowed Per Game this could really be a crushing blow to there already suspect D core.
Filed Under:   Substance Abuse   NHL   Mark Bell   CBA   Hockey  
September 4, 2007 12:12 PM ET | Delete
nice IDB!! You actually are smart and not just angry!! Nice job!!Dallas still sucks!
September 4, 2007 1:20 PM ET | Delete
Well done IDB, good insight into how the program works
September 4, 2007 2:37 PM ET | Delete
I hope that Bell is not of the Theo Fleury mold where he has talent but cannot control his off-ice life to the point where it impacts his play. He is a good player with as much sandpaper as scoring talent and one that every team needs - I think of Hartnell for the Flyers. It would be a shame for Toronto to have traded away all that it took to get him and now have someone who is walking the razor's edge of staying in the league. Nice post IDB. You ought to do it more often. SYF
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