Free Shane

Visit freeshane.com for details.

Dear Alain Vigneault and Mike Gillis,

I was moved to write you this letter in hopes that my words can save a young man from the proverbial doghouse. I never thought of myself as much of a public servant and, truth be told, if somebody told me earlier in the season that I would be starting a campaign to get Shane O'Brien into the lineup I would tell them they are insane. You know, because after all it is Shane O'Brien. Prior to this season Shane was prone to mistakes and bad penalties but I think we can all agree that he has worked hard to improve on his SOBesque behavior on the ice.

However, we all know that it's not because of Shane's play that I want to see him in the lineup because, after all, we are talking about Shane O'Brien. There are bigger issues here. Issues like Aaron Rome and Andrew Alberts gobbling up minutes. This sort of thing is alright in these mean-nothing games down the stretch but I live in horror thinking this could carry over into the playoffs. Horror I say.

Look, I get it. There weren't many options available prior to the trade deadline. Nobody in their right mind would want Dion Phaneuf in their dressing room and the rest of the pickings were slim at best as evident by the fact we were only able to bring in Andrew Alberts. I know you tried to do your best Mike so as a former Canuck great once said, "it is what it is".

However, with the Willie Mitchell health status clouded in a mystery that would make Woodward and Bernstein salivate, we must tread carefully with our defencemen. We are "this close" to having Nolan Baumgartner hit the ice in the playoffs and I for one don't want to see that. I'm sure you guys feel the same way.

I know that the Mathieu Schneider divorce was sudden and over quickly. I understand that there may still be some lingering feelings where you guys feel like you need to flex your muscles and keep your players in line. I get it. But guys, we really need Shane fu#$ing O'Brien in the playoffs. Wow, did I just write that? Shiiiiiiiit........

So I ask you to free Shane O'Brien from the doghouse. I know there were issues. Rumors swirling about him being late for practice and other things. But I ask you guys to put yourself in Shane's shoes. Picture yourself being a 26-year-old athlete in the city, drinks are flowing, the intoxicating sound of country music fills the air. It's easy to get caught up in such an atmosphere. And really, what did Shane really do? Have a little to much to drink and sleep in. Heck, 75% of the workforce would be unemployed if this was such a crime.

Instead of looking at the bad, please look at the good that Shane did. He went on country music night where the worst thing that could happen is a bit too much alchohol getting consumed. If it was hip hop night then somebody could have very well gotten shot. Don't like the black-eye that Shane has brought to the organization? Well things could be worse. As you can see by the last time a Canuck was featured prominently on DeadSpin.

So just chill out guys. Enjoy the last week of the season and the fact that we've made the playoffs. And let Shane O'Brien be Shane O'Brien. Because we really *gulp* need him heading into the playoffs.