Vanek (and Paetsch?) Involved In Sports Betting Ring?

[Virtual Jarmo]

http://deadspin.com/report-thomas-vanek ... 1608603370

Interesting story here. Restaurant co-owned by Nathan Paetsch was raided a couple months ago.

Though Vanek's connection to the restaurant and bar isn't clear, he did play for the AHL's Rochester Americans and then the Buffalo Sabres, just an hour's drive away. And The Marina does have a hockey connection: as reported by Pro Hockey Talk, one of its owners is AHL defenseman Nathan Paetsch, who spent parts of six seasons as Vanek's teammate with the Amerks and Sabres.

[CapsGM]

That explains his playoff disappearance.

[SharksGM]

Well, it sounds suspicious but there doesn't seem to be a substantive accusation against him yet.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Well, it sounds suspicious but there doesn't seem to be a substantive accusation against him yet.

He's probably just a witness for having frequented the bar, just like his statement says. I imagine he got down on some games, but I don't think he'd be stupid enough to bet any hockey games.

Just legalize it and tax it already. Then this shit isn't even a story.

[Singin the BLUES]

Sure it is a story, u have players betting on games and no one reallllllly knows if they are betting for or against their own teams.......U have players like Ovies that only show up when they want to and sometimes that can be a little bit of a sign....and if any player comes and goes with his skill on the ice....Vanek is for SURE one of them

[GM Office Q]

I think he meant Vanek betting on California Chrome isn't a story.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Sure it is a story, u have players betting on games and no one reallllllly knows if they are betting for or against their own teams.......U have players like Ovies that only show up when they want to and sometimes that can be a little bit of a sign....and if any player comes and goes with his skill on the ice....Vanek is for SURE one of them

Depending on what records were destroyed if they got a heads up on a raid, then, no, you have no idea if they were betting on the NHL. But all of this cynicism about sports betting causing players to bet against themselves is silly. College players have done it and there have been point-shaving scandals in the past, but they're not making any money. Pete Rose is the only big name professional to have gotten caught and of course there was referee Tim Donaghy in the NBA, who, by the way, now owns a website where he and other handicappers sell picks to customers.

I highly, highly doubt he was betting on hockey. It's far too risky. Horses or football, who doesn't do that? Hell, you're "betting" on football every time you make a lineup change in a fantasy football league with an entry fee.

Players float because it's a long season and it's in their personality. Not because they're betting against their own team.