Chris Chelios Denies Plan To Consider Paul Kelly's Reinstatement

Chelios Says He Is Not Supporting Kelly

AGENTS OF CHANGE: In Toronto, Mark Zwolinski reported CAA Sports believes that the NHLPA Exec Board "owes the membership a proper explanation" of why Kelly was fired, and the agency will "begin marshalling other agents to discuss the board's action." CAA Sports Hockey co-Heads J.P. Barry and Pat Brisson last week in a statement said, "Some of the things we have heard about the process are very troubling to us." Penguins C Sidney Crosby, one of their clients, echoed those sentiments on Friday, saying, "I definitely want to know how things happened. I am part of the union like every other player and I think we all deserve a good explanation." Zwolinski noted Crosby's comments "led to speculation" that the NHLPA "continues to operate amid confusion and that the potential for a rift among the membership is growing" (TORONTO STAR, 9/19). The GLOBE & MAIL's Allan Maki noted Crosby historically has "steered clear" of NHLPA issues, and that he would "express his concern was viewed as a positive development even by those who attended the Chicago meeting and heard the evidence against Kelly." Flames D and player rep Robyn Regehr said, "I really like the way that some players are starting to speak up, a guy like Sidney" (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/19). In N.Y., Larry Brooks noted players across the league "have been left in the dark." Now, they are "asking for answers," and "maybe this time they'll get some" (N.Y. POST, 9/20). 

PLAYING DEFENSE: Maple Leafs C and player rep Matt Stajan Friday was "adamant the union had made the right move" in dismissing Kelly. Stajan: "We made a decision and I don't think there's any turning back now. The proof's there, we had everything laid out in front of us, I'm fully confident we made the right decision ... at the end of the day, we're looking out for the best interests of 750 players, and in my opinion, a change needed to be (made)." He also defended the 3:30am timing of the vote to decide Kelly's fate, even though some players have "expressed a wish that the move had been brought to the wider membership with training camp mere days away." Stajan: "If we brought it back, we're just delaying it two months until we can all get on a conference call again. And then, the media gets a hold of it and things kind of snowball and it gets worse" (NATIONAL POST, 9/19).

Are NHL Players Starting To Think Kelly's Firing May Not Have Been Right Move?

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