The Leaked Emails the NHL Didn't Want You to See

A concussion lawsuit in Minnesota brought forth by former players against the NHL has resulted in emails and memos becoming public. They were dumped into the world late Tuesday and many of them paint high-ranking NHL executives in a poor light when it comes to concussions, brain trauma and, in some cases, grammar.

Commissioner Gary Bettman, vice presidents Colin Campbell, Kris King and Mike Murphy come off looking various degrees of bad while former VP and current Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan appears to be the only voice of reason during his time at the NHL. It remains to be seen how these emails will affect the lawsuit, but they certainly paint the NHL in a bad light.

But after some deeper digging, it's more than just their dismissive and insensitive language about concussions that these power brokers wish were kept private; other emails that have nothing to do with the NHL make these men look pretty silly.

VICE Sports unearthed many of these emails and here are a few we are choosing to highlight. They have been re-ordered so they can be easily read from top to bottom. Fair warning: Some of the statements that follow are so embarrassing that they may shock the senses. Read at your own risk.

(Note: The below conversations never occurred to our knowledge, and were in fact imaginary exchanges Dave Lozo dreamt of during a recent lonely night in New Jersey.)

1. The Star Wars Conversation

----- Original Message -----

From: Gary Bettman (GBB602@nhl.com)
Sent: May 18, 1999 09:43 AM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan

Fellas!

Phantom Menace is out tomorrow! Pretty pumped! Let's all see it tomorrow and report back on it Monday! TTYL!

From: Mike Murphy (murphman@aol.com)
Sent: May 22, 1999 10:01 AM AST
To: Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Kris King, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Phantom Menace

Loved it. Great movie. Can't wait to start work at the NHL soon!

From: Kris King (kinger69@aol.com)
Sent: May 22, 1999 10:16 AM AST
To: Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: Phantom Menace

Terrific storytelling by George Lucas. Need Episode 2 ASAP! Hey, any job openings in the near future?

From: Colin Campbell (CCampbell@nhl.com)
Sent: May 22, 1999 10:22 AM AST
To: Kris King, Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: Re: Phantom Menace

Only complaint is it needed more Jar Jar. Two thumbs up.

From: Brendan Shanahan (Shanny@netscape.com)
Sent: May 22, 1999 10:38 AM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman
Re: Re: Re: Re: Phantom Menace

Guys,

We just got knocked out by the Avs four days ago and I don't know why I'm on this email chain. But since I am, the pod race was terrible and the movie was 45 minutes too long and had no plot and the script was convoluted at best. All the best.

From: Colin Campbell (CCampbell@nhl.com)
Sent: May 22, 1999 11:07 AM AST
To: Kris King, Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Phantom Menace

I'm hearing great things about this Hayden Christensen so the next two movies are guaranteed to be great!

2. The new James Bond

----- Original Message -----

From: Colin Campbell (CCampbell@nhl.com)
Sent: October 14, 2005 10:07 AM AST
To: Gary Bettman, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan

I know your going to say I'm an old guy that doesn't get it but Daniel Craig as James Bond? Who the hell is he? I'm going to get yelled at by tree huggers and maybe this isn't politically correct but he's too blonde and short to be a good James Bond. Back in my day James Bond had dark hair and was taller. No way any of his movies make money. Please do not share this email with anyone.

From: Mike Murphy (MMurphy@nhl.com)
Sent: October 14, 2005 10:26 AM AST
To: Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Kris King, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Daniel Craig?

Couldn't agree more. The media will think we don't get it but the only true James Bond is Sean Connery. Daniel Craig is the next Timothy Dalton. Today's Bond is too soft to compete in the Bond era of the 1970s.

From: Brendan Shanahan (Shanny@netscape.com)
Sent: October 14, 2005 11:44 AM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman
Re: Re: Daniel Craig?

Guys,

Seriously, why am I on these emails? I don't work there. But since I'm on this chain still, Daniel Craig was pretty bad-ass in Layer Cake and I got an advance copy of Munich and while Eric Bana is the star, Daniel Craig is quite compelling. I think the James Bond franchise will be reinvigorated with this choice.

From: Brendan Shanahan (BFShanahan@nhl.com)
Sent: January 7, 2011 03:26 PM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman
Re: Re: Re: Daniel Craig?

FYI found these old emails from when I was still a player and wanted to let you know Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace set global box office records for James Bond movies. I bet Skyfall does OK next year too. Hey, is Colie in charge of deciding who should play in the All-Star Game? Because if we have a potential outside-the-box star for the game maybe he shouldn't have any say over whether that guy gets to play or not.

3. Happy Halloween

----- Original Message -----

From: Gary Bettman (GBB602@nhl.com)
Sent: October 24, 2008 09:36 AM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan

Taking an informal survey. Halloween is next week and I was wondering what everyone thought was the best candy. Thoughts?

From: Kris King (KKing@nhl.com)
Sent: October 24, 2008 09:37 AM AST
To: Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Halloween Candy

Candy corn

From: Mike Murphy (MMurphy@NHL.com)
Sent: October 24, 2008 09:38 AM AST
To: Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Kris King, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: Halloween Candy

Candy corn

From: Colin Campbell (CCampbell@nhl.com)
Sent: October 24, 2008 09:39 AM AST
To: Gary Bettman, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: Re: Halloween Candy

CANDY CORN

From: Brendan Shanahan (Shanny@netscape.com)
Sent: October 24, 2008 09:40 AM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman
Re: Re: Re: Re: Halloween Candy

Unsubscribe.

4. The 2009 Grammys

----- Original Message -----

From: Gary Bettman (GBB602@nhl.com)
Sent: February 9, 2009 08:57 AM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan

Anyone catch The Grammys last night? Were there any dope and fresh young artists we could get to play at the NHL Awards or Outdoor Games? Maybe not this year or next year but in 2025?

From: Mike Murphy (MMurphy@NHL.com)
Sent: February 9, 2009 09:16 AM AST
To: Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Kris King, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Grammys

No clue. Hasn't been good music since Johnny Cash.

From: Kris King (KKing@nhl.com)
Sent: February 9, 2009 09:33 AM AST
To: Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: Grammys

All I know is the hippies in the media should look into how Little Wayne's music causes more brain damage than fighting lol

From: Colin Campbell (CCampbell@nhl.com)
Sent: February 9, 2009 09:52 AM AST
To: Gary Bettman, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: Re: Grammys

Who was the British lady that won Best New Artist? Adele? No talent. We could get her for the 2010 Winter Classic. No one will remember her in 10 months never mind 10 years hahaha

From: Brendan Shanahan (Shanny@netscape.com)
Sent: February 9, 2009 11:08 AM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman
Re: Re: Re: Re: Grammys

Hello. It's me. I don't work at the NHL and don't understand why I am CC'd on all these emails. I am part of the NHLPA, not the NHL. So hello from the other side.

Also: Adele is a goddess and the next person to bad-mouth her is getting a beat down from me.

5. The Painting

----- Original Message -----

From: Colin Campbell (CCampbell@nhl.com)
Sent: March 8, 2016 09:39 AM AST
To: Gary Bettman, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan

WARNING FOR ALL

As you know, I'm a bit of a collector. I recently purchased what I believed to be an original Picasso and have had it hanging above my fireplace for several weeks. I had it appraised yesterday and was informed that it was in fact a FORGERY. The forger I bought it from has gone missing but I attached his information just in case you ever consider buying any painting from him. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

From: Brendan Shanahan (BFShanahan@mapleleafs.com)
Sent: March 8, 2016 09:41 AM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman
Re: FORGERY

Sounds like you are pretty pissed off over another fake artist.

From: Kris King (KKing@nhl.com)
Sent: March 8, 2016 09:41 AM AST
To: Mike Murphy, Gary Bettman, Colin Campbell, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: FORGERY

LOL!!!!!

From: Gary Bettman (GBB602@nhl.com)
Sent: March 8, 2016 09:42 AM AST
To: Colin Campbell, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: Re: FORGERY

LMAO!!!!

From: Colin Campbell (CCampbell@nhl.com)
Sent: March 8, 2016 09:43 AM AST
To: Gary Bettman, Kris King, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan
Re: Re: Re: Re: FORGERY

I don't get it.