Fehr opens up about NHLPA’s issues

Union boss talks CBA, Olympics

As Donald Fehr holds court in front of the lush Glen Abbey putting green, the darkening purple skies over his right shoulder are ominous indeed.

Critics suggest storm clouds are forming over Fehr’s NHL Players’ Association, which is dealing with issues such as potential labour strife in 2020, the backlash of non-NHL participation in the 2018 Olympics, and recent suggestions that a cache of players is dissatisfied with the union’s hierarchy.

After more than three decades representing the interests of athletes, Fehr, the executive director of the NHLPA, doesn’t see all the doom and gloom others do. It’s just the reality of big-buck sports.

On Wednesday, as players waited to tee off at the 25th annual NHLPA Golf Classic, Fehr addressed a number of issues.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE?

Anton Thun, Ritch Winter and Kurt Overhardt are among a group of representatives claiming they have clients questioning the manner in which the NHLPA is being run. Fehr’s take?

“The short answer is, it’s a complete democracy. Players can do whatever they want to do. And I mean what I’m about to say: If they want to change the executive director and staff three times a week, we can do it.”

BONUS BABIES

Carey Price signed an eightyear extension with the Canadiens in which US$70 million of the $84 million reportedly comes in the form of bonus monies.

Is this a sign players are taking precautions against potential CBA armageddon? The deal runs out in 2022, but both sides have options in 2019 to end it in 2020.

“My judgment is that players would be foolish not to take into consideration the possible outcomes when the contract expires or either side terminates it early,” Fehr said, ominously. “They have to take that into account.”

MAXING OUT

NHL teams can pay an individual player 20 per cent of the team’s salary cap, yet no one is receiving it. Why?

“I think it will (one day), but the dynamics of the two sports are different,” Fehr said when it was pointed out NBA teams pay the max to individual stars. “There are vastly fewer players (in the NBA) and you are dealing with vastly more revenue … (Also), most people would agree a single basketball player would have more of a difference than any single hockey player, no matter how good of a player he might be.”

SOUTH KOREA CALLING

Fehr was asked about the status of NHLers who vow to go to the Olympics despite the league’s decision not to participate.

“We’ve done the work, and we’ve discussed that with (any interested) player and his representative,” Fehr said. “We don’t discuss it publicly. But it is an individual club decision as to whether he would go.”

CBA AND THE OLYMPICS

Will a Games guarantee be written into the next agreement?

While Fehr would like to see the game continue to spread internationally, “I would be less than honest, however, if I suggested the Olympic decision the NHL made — and it made it unilaterally when everything was in place — does not raise some serious questions.”