The players' still have big issues with the current CBA, including escrow payments and World Cup playGETTY IMAGES
The NHLPA deciding not to opt out of the current CBA early, guaranteeing labor peace in the NHL through the '21-22 season, was deemed one of the under-reported stories of last week by ESPN's "OTL" panel on Friday. ESPN's Emily Kaplan acknowledged "no one likes talking about CBA or labor negotiations," but she said not having a threat of a work stoppage is "huge, considering (under NHL Commissioner) Gary Bettman's watch, there have been three lockouts." The players "still have two big issues they want to get achieved -- one is escrow ... and there are Olympics and international play" as well. However, those are "going to have to go to informal discussions offline." ESPN's Doug Glanville worked with NHLPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr when the latter was MLBPA Exec Dir, and he said Fehr "fought" in that role. Glanville: "It's maybe a kinder, gentler Don Fehr on some levels. This is something he played the long-game this time, and I think it's a little different strategy." Kaplan responded, "I don't actually think it's a kinder, gentler Don Fehr. I think he wanted to fight. He's just listening to his constituents here. The players didn't want to fight." ESPN's Jeremy Schaap said the argument could be made that there has "never been a commissioner in any sport … who's wielded the power in his game that Gary Bettman now wields in hockey." ESPN's Ryan Smith: "It's amazing that we're at this point with him, with all the criticism that he has taken over the years. Look at where he is." Kaplan: "He has grown the league economically in a huge way" ("OTL," ESPN, 9/20).
NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET: In Boston, Kevin Paul Dupont noted Bettman and Fehr now can "spend the better part of the next 36 months chewing over the escrow issue and to what extent the growing cash cow of income from legalized gambling will impact the CBA." Both Bettman and Fehr likely are "looking at their final CBA negotiation," and it remains possible a labor extension could be reached "well ahead" of the '22 expiration. However, Dupont noted that is unlikely, writing, "Despite the recent pleasant surprise to keep on keepin' on, Bettman and Fehr have a history of finding the black lining in a silver cloud. Even when the industry is raining down the cash" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/22).
