Economy No. 1 Topic At Meeting Between NHLPA, Player Agents

Kelly Says Shrinking Salary Cap Means Trouble, But Interest Of Players Never Been Higher

UNION FOCUSING ON NEXT SEASON: ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun wrote, "Obviously everyone's concern is the cap for the 2010-11 season, when diminishing revenues as the recession really hits at all levels will likely bring down the cap." But Kelly said that he and the agents "focused more on next season because anything past that is like trying 'to predict the weather.'" One concern both the union and agents shared was the "potential for NHL teams to bury some players in the minor leagues over the next few years in order to alleviate cap issues." Neither the union nor player agents "like that idea at all," but there is "nothing in the CBA that prohibits it unless the player in question has a no-movement clause." Newport Sports agent Pat Morris said, "The NHLPA is very organized. Its staff has grown in leaps and bounds over the last year and that can only lead to productive things for the players and the game. They're certainly more inclusive of our role, they know what we can do and how we can help. That's a good partnership going forward" (ESPN.com, 2/26).

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