The NHL "is likely to notify clubs either today or tomorrow
of a ticket refund policy that will be the precursor of
cancelling the games" (Damien Cox, TORONTO STAR, 10/18). Refunds
"will be an agonizing and costly experience" as teams will "have
to repay cash they don't actually have on hand" (Jim Proudfoot,
TORONTO STAR, 10/18).
MEDIATION? Both NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA
Exec Dir Bob Goodenow "have been urged by their constituents to
bring in a mediator to get the issues on the table" (Al Strachan,
TORONTO SUN, 10/18). NHL Senior VP & Dir of Hockey Operations
Brian Burke: "A mediator is designed to facilitate communication
between the sides. We're communicating just fine. We just can't
agree on a damn thing" (Jack Keating, Vancouver PROVINCE, 10/18).
There were no talks scheduled for today or tomorrow. NHL VP of
Communications Arthur Pincus: "The players' side has told us
there's nothing to discuss. I don't know when we'll be getting
back together" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 10/18). CNN's Fred Hickman quoted
Goodenow, "Considering they rejected our proposal and their
current position, there is not much to talk about" ("Sports
Tonight," CNN, 10/17).
WILL THE OWNERS CRACK FIRST? "One person with management
connections predicted the players will win if they can maintain
the resolve shown thus far," according to a report in this
morning's Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. The NHL source, "whose ties to
management prevent him from speaking publicly": "The owners want
to break the union. But the difference between the money the
players are losing and what the owners are losing is
astronomical." The source cites a group of owners that wants to
play under the players' pledge not to strike if the season
begins. That group is still in the minority (David Shoalts,
Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/18). The TORONTO SUN also raises the
question of the owners' solidarity. One source "close to the
situation," noting last week's Board of Governors meeting: "You
don't need 4 1/2 hours if there's unanimity. There are a number
of teams that want to go back" (Al Strachan, TORONTO SUN, 10/18).
But the NHL's Burke said the owners are unified and that they are
"prepared to go through the whole season without hockey" (Jack
Keating, Vancouver PROVINCE, 10/18).
THE "L"-WORD: The L.A. TIMES reported yesterday that the
NHL is ready to concede that the work stoppage is a "lockout,"
rather than a mere postponement. That could mean players in 20
states will be eligible for unemployment insurance (Elliott &
Norwood, L.A. TIMES, 10/17).
BRIAN BURKE'S TOUR OF NORTH AMERICA: Burke was in Vancouver
"preaching the gospel of a new hockey order," but he denied his
tour of several NHL cities was a PR exercise: "I'm not here to
influence what you write, I'm just trying to set the record
straight" (Elliott Pap, VANCOUVER SUN, 10/18). Goodenow: "He's
obviously putting out the party line, saying the players are
uninformed. ... They're trying to put a fresh face on the league
because they've gotten the [expletive] kicked out of them" (Lisa
Dillman, L.A. TIMES, 10/18). Mike Beamish on Burke's oft-
repeated suggestion that the two sides lock themselves in a room,
order Chinese food, and don't emerge until there's a settlement:
"It ... could end up in a food fight" (VANCOUVER SUN, 10/18).
FROM THE BENCH: The union is planning another "mass
meeting" of players in Toronto, tentatively on November 1 (Dave
Fay, WASHINGTON TIMES, 10/18). NHLPA VP Marty McSorley did not
sign with the IHL Las Vegas Thunder as expected, saying that if
he plays in the IHL it will be for free. "It wouldn't have
looked very good for an officer of the union to accept the money
with so many other NHLers out of work" (Dave Fuller, TORONTO SUN,
10/18). The IIHF reversed itself on whether NHL players would be
allowed to play in Europe. IIHF President Rene Fasel said he
changed his position after receiving clarification from Bettman
that the NHL would not prohibit players from signing in Europe.
Fasel: "I know I look bad, but if the NHL says it's OK, what am
I to do?" (Alan Adams, CP/OTTAWA CITIZEN, 10/18).
UNDER THE SCOPE: Canadian Heritage Minister Michael Dupuy
confirmed there have been "preliminary discussions" on an
investigation into hockey, particularly the "enormous investment
Canadians have in a game that is becoming increasingly American."
Noting the taxpayer investment in funding new arenas and Canada's
corporate tax write-offs for sports, Roy MacGregor writes that
the NHL "might well turn out to be an issue perfectly suited to
the political climate. It has American threat, growing concern
at the national, provincial and municipal levels, and deep
taxpayer involvement." MacGregor raises the prospect that the
probe could take the form of a Royal Commission with the power to
subpoena witnesses and documents (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 10/18).
