NHLPA Exec Dir Bob Goodenow said that the players union
is "not against the basic principle" of the Canadian
Assistance Plan, which offers financial aid to certain
Canadian franchises, according to Ken Warren of the OTTAWA
CITIZEN. But Goodenow said the NHL "has ignored" the
union's suggestions about ways to "possibly redistribute
league revenue to the financially weaker teams." Goodenow:
"We're more in favour of revenue sharing than (NHL
Commissioner) Gary Bettman. We just feel that teams should
be able to do what they want and that (a team's payroll)
shouldn't be a consideration." Senators President Roy
Mlakar said that he is "comfortable" with the labor
situation and said of the assistance plan, "The American
teams know our situation" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 12/10).
BRIGHT FUTURE: In Toronto, Al Strachan writes that
after their recent meetings in AZ, the NHL's Board of
Governors realizes the NHL is "headed in the right
direction," with the outlook "bright." Strachan notes the
reasons for the optimism include NHL VP Colin Campbell's
"crackdown on violence," scoring coming "back to level," TV
ratings showing "substantial increases" in some markets and,
"despite what the league might say publicly, salaries are
under control." Strachan: "The league is far from being in
the clear yet, but the way that other difficulties have been
faced can only lead to optimism about the future" (TORONTO
SUN, 12/10). BLOOMBERG NEWS reports that local TV ratings
for the Stars "have almost tripled" and that Capitals fans
"are flocking to the new MCI Center" for games. Bettman:
"Obviously we're going to continue to get more and more
attention because the media covering sports has to fill time
and space" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 12/10). For NHL Eastern
Conference announced attendance figures, see (#27).
HOPE FOR 2002: USA TODAY's Kevin Allen reports that a
"vast majority" of NHL players "appreciate the romance" of
the Olympics and "would play" in 2002. However, Coyotes LW
Keith Tkachuk said that if the NHL participates in the
Games, "the only way we can go [is] if it's in prime time."
Coyotes C Jeremy Roenick: "If (NHL Commissioner Gary
Bettman) says the NHL players won't play in the Olympics, I
won't lose one wink of sleep over it" (USA TODAY, 12/10).
