Brendan Shanahan Touted As Candidate For NHLPA Exec Dir Role

Writer Says NHLPA Should Seriously Consider Shanahan

The NHLPA “seriously should consider opening their doors” to free agent LW Brendan Shanahan as the union’s next Exec Dir, according to Larry Brooks of the N.Y. POST. No one is “better educated in the history between the NHL and NHLPA than Shanahan, who has endured one strike and two lockouts through a career that commenced in 1987.” But Shanahan “has not officially retired,” and he “has not thrown his hat into the ring for the vacancy at the top of the union.” An agent said, “It would be like Tom Glavine being the head of the baseball players’ union. You have to have a labor lawyer.” Meanwhile, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly indicated that he “does not foresee a league-initiated work stoppage at the conclusion of the CBA” in September ‘11. Daly in an e-mail said, “I remain optimistic that the various items that need to be addressed in collective bargaining are not significant enough to necessitate a work stoppage. Also, to the extent a work stoppage is necessary, I believe it’s much more likely to be a strike, not a lockout” (N.Y. POST, 10/4).

UNION IN Disarray: In Toronto, Mike Zeiseberger writes, “Just when you thought the NHLPA couldn’t take any more publicity hits, it absorbs another blow right in the gut.” The controversy over the ouster of former Exec Dir Paul Kelly is a “major reason why many difficult questions were asked during the executive board’s conference call Sunday night, a multi-hour session that stretched deep into the evening.” From the "moment Kelly was turfed in Chicago back in August, the union’s image has been regularly smeared” (TORONTO SUN, 10/5). The CBC’s Don Cherry Saturday on “HNIC” said that he “usually sides with players on issues, but couldn’t when it comes to Kelly.” Cherry: “It’s terrible the way they treated him. They should be ashamed of themselves. … When I hear somebody’s been fired quick like that, something fishy’s going on” (CP, 10/4). Meanwhile, in Toronto, Steve Simmons wrote, “What’s next for the messed up NHLPA, after ignorabtly hiring Al Eagleson’s buddy, Roy McMurtry, to explain the Paul Kelly dismissal? Why not hire Ted Saskin? Bob Goodenow? Or why doesn’t [interim Exec Dir] Ian Penny just resign and let the PA start over again?” (TORONTO SUN, 10/4). In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont wondered, “How much longer before one or more members of the rank and file finally has the decency and common sense to walk into the FBI or Labor Canada and ask the obvious: What is going on here?” (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/4).