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Former NHLPA boss Paul Kelly chats with Stan Fischler about the challenges facing the NHL going forward, what Don Fehr’s successor must do and much more. Plus, Fischler talks about Patrick Kane, David Quinn, the free agent market and more.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH EX-NHLPA HEAD PAUL KELLY
Paul Kelly was the best union leader the NHL Players’ Association ever had. Period! That’s my opinion and has been for decades.
His tenure unfortunately was shortened which was shameful in its own right, but that’s a story for another day.
What matters is that Kelly is available for another term now that Donald Fehr shortly will be shown the door. Hopefully, he’ll get a chance.
With that in mind, I had a few questions for Kelly and he obliged by addressing the following topics:
His Most Important Accomplishment Since Leaving The NHLPA:
“Creating and leading College Hockey, Inc for nearly three years. We provided real value to the Division I NCAA hockey programs; now a pipeline to the NHL and NHLPA. We were the marketing and educational arm of the NCAA hockey programs and the emissary on behalf of those programs to the NHL, IIHF, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada and the NCAA.”
Kelly’s work for the NHL Alumni Association: “I’m on the Board of Directors, serving with great people on the Board such as Glenn Healy and his excellent staff. Our mission is to serve the best interests of the alumni. That includes looking out for former players who might be struggling with life after hockey. That’s been a passion of mine for 25 years, dating to my work as a federal prosecutor with Carl Brewer, Russ Conway, Bruce Dowbiggan, Sue Foster and others to expose the corruption and self-dealing by Alan Eagleson.”
Biggest Challenges Facing The NHL Moving Ahead:
“The situation in Ukraine and how it will impact young players from Russia and Baltic states is a concern. Likewise, the potential for a resurgence of the pandemic given the continued existence of these highly contagious Covid variants bears watching; Then, there’s the matter of improving the few struggling franchises to ensure a brighter future for the cities involved and for the benefit of the league as a whole. Members of the NHLPA do better when all franchise cities are successful and hockey related revenues are growing.”
The Salary Cap: Players in any sport would prefer an uncapped, free market system. That said, the system which has evolved in the NHL has worked pretty well for both owners and players. So long as there’s basic fairness in the system — and each side is sharing in both the risks and benefits — a Salary Cap system will succeed. That, in a nutshell, is what’s happened in our sport.”
Things Don Fehr’s Successor Must Do:
“He must respect and listen to the players. He must get out of the office and see and hear what’s happening across the league. He must think creatively and look for new ways to monetize the talents and charisma of our great young players. Also, to look ahead and plan for the next round of CBA discussions; as well as to effectively communicate with the league and its corporate partners. Finally, bring in good people to work on behalf of the players as a well-functioning team.”
Final Thoughts: “I had a great deal of unfinished business when I departed the NHLPA. I’d welcome the chance to resume the work that we started and strive to take the NHLPA to the next level. My tenure ended due to an unworkable corporate structure that fostered division and dissension within the office. Fortunately, that structure has since been abandoned — which occurred before Fehr took on the role. Now the platform is in place for a motivated and driven
Executive Director — who loves the sport — to do great things for the players.”
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WILL THERE BE A KANE-MUTINY IN CHICAGO?
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews has already registered his displeasure over the volcanic changes wrought with his team. “At the end of the day we’re talking about a five-plus year process,” Toews recently noted in the Athletic, among other talks about the upheaval. This marks Toews’ 15th year in Chicago.
You don’t need to be a cryptographer to discern that Toews wants out but, then again, who would want him at this stage of a fading career. Jon’s sabbatical two years ago was both startling and depressing while his comeback this past campaign was far from reassuring.
By contrast, his longtime sidekick-buddy, Patrick Kane, is a right wing of another story.
He’s got the goods although, not a heck of a lot of years ahead, but he should be appealing to any number of teams.
Unlike Toews, Kane has been more mum about the Hawks rebuild and that could mean any number of things; such as no boat-rocking on his part. No Kane mutiny for now.
But Patrick’s next comments — assuming he is pressed by media folks — bear listening.
My view is that management will go for a trade taking the best offer before the season opens.
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P.S. ON PAUL KELLY:
Having covered the Players’ Association since Alan Eagleson created the union, I’ve had an opportunity to deal with every union leader in one form or another. I’ve also read many critiques of the NHLPA’s choices of leaders. Some of the rips have been harsh in terms of how executive directors were picked and how they performed.
Of all the choices, nobody comes close — in my mind — to Paul Kelly regarding all-around excellence and ability to move the union in the right direction. It would be a shame if those behind-the-scenes NHLPA power brokers overlook him this time around.
WHO SAID IT? “I learned from watching ‘Happy Days’ on television.” (ANSWER BELOW)
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I’M JUST SAYIN’
* Nashville has a shot at hosting next year’s entry draft and I’m good with that. Who wouldn’t want a week in Music City?
* Jonathan Huberdeau says he’s open to a long-term deal with the Flames and that’s only goody-good news for the Flames.
* The faster GM Brad Treliving inks this Jonny, the quicker the runaway Johnny will be more easily forgotten.
* The feeling is that Nazem Kadri already has picked his new team. If so, it could be revealed as early as tonight; or next week. Your guess?
* Wise Words Department: I’ve wondered why Bill Guerin didn’t go nuts trading on Free Agent Frenzy Day and after that.
* “A lot of mistakes are made on this (Free Agent Frenzy) day.” BG added that “We (Wild) need one more body, but we can afford to wait.”
* Hard To Believe Segment: UFA P.K. Subban is looking for work. His rep, Don Meehan, told the Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan, there’s interest among some teams.
* Naturally, Subban doesn’t want to play “anywhere.” Meehan insists, “There’s a place for him.” Okay, where, Donny, where?
