Bluelines: Goodenow's 'stall strategy' is a lost cause

May 03, 2005

Yes, NHL-NHLPA on-and-off meetings will continue until the “union” meetings, May 24-26. But, no - sorry - progress of any significance is as likely as Winnipeg rejoining the NHL. Bob Goodenow’s strategy is summed up in one word: STALL! He thinks his “union” is better off waiting until September before getting serious. Memo To Bob: It’s over, but you don’t know it!

The threat by Sidney Crosby’s reps to negotiate a European deal for 2005-2006 should not be taken too seriously by NHL leaders. One league observer tells us, “That’s just politicking on his agent’s part.”

As for The Kid’s drawing potential, he might sell out rinks the first time around. But if the 17-year-old turns out to be a latter-day Al Daigle or Greg Joly, his drawing power will be from Dudsville. Our advice to Crosby: Hey, Sid, you want to go to Europe. Good-bye. Please. GO!

The last thing Gary Bettman needs to do is rush a decision on Todd Bertuzzi’s future. “One factor the league must consider in the weeks ahead,” says a veteran hockey consultant, “is public opinion regarding Bertuzzi.”

Sentiment varies, depending on whose ox is gored.

Reviewing all the rules-changes input, Colin Campbell tells us that a key result must be a total commitment from all teams. “We’ve got to let our skaters skate,” says the league’s warden, “let the refs make the calls - and stop the whining!”

Ted Nolan’s pals, who constantly urged him to grab a non-NHL job so that he could work his way up the ladder, should be tickled. The 1997 NHL Coach of the Year signed with Moncton’s Junior club. He’ll double behind the bench and director of hockey operations.

Todd Bertuzzi did not have the NHLPA represented at his hearing (AP)

Interesting that the NHLPA was not directly represented at the Bertuzzi hearing. Originally, two Canadian columnists ripped the “union” for planning to send its Ian Pulver only to rep Todd but not the victim. In the end, Association people listened in long-distance from Toronto with a phone hook-up.

Jason Blake’s mysterious absence from Team USA is, at last, explained. Or is it? His agent claims that Blake declined on the grounds that he had signed a new Isles’ contract. Since a new CBA is not completed, his contract is not guaranteed if he’s injured. Plus, the insurance cost for the value of his contract is prohibitive.

We’ll buy that one although there are others who insist that Jason rubbed someone the wrong way on Team USA!

NHLPA’s bid for “union certification” is ridiculed on both sides of the border. “For years, Bob Goodenow has been telling anyone who would listen that the NHL Players’ Association was not a union,” says the Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons. “Unions negotiate job security and salary structures and 'we don’t,' he would say. Of course, that was before he applied for union status in Quebec and British Columbia.”

Philly-area columnist Anthony Sanfilippo digs: “When is a union not really a union even though it wants to pretend it’s a union to get what it wants?” Sports Business guru Evan Weiner, adds, “The NHLPA does not honor other union picket lines. Will players who become unionized honor other strikes like unions do? Or is Goodenow using certification just to get him through these labor negotiations? Union certification may become a big problem for the players.”

Phil Esposito isn’t talking up the alleged WHA-backed Spring tournament which was supposed to feature NHLPA names. Now, Toronto Sun columnist Bill Lankhof has WHA prexy Rick Smith saying his May hockey tournament is postponed; but should happen soon. To which Lankhof adds, “You know, like the Maple Leafs winning a Stanley Cup.”

Designed to exploit the NHL work stoppage, the WHA has fought a losing credibility battle. Next we’ll see what happens with the proposed “union” marriage with agents. Their aim, supposedly, would be either a players’ league, tour or exhibition games next fall in North America; anything to further destroy the NHL, which made them rich. Bet that, if a players’ loop came to pass, the first things instituted would be a Salary Cap and Linkage.

What the NHLPA had better hope is that the offer to buy the NHL comes to nothing. Boston-based Bain Capital Partners and Game Plan originally offered to buy all 30 teams for $3.5 billion. Insiders believe that figure will keep rising. A sale is the longest of long-shots because clubs like the Maple Leafs aren’t for sale. Nevertheless such a deal is not totally out of the realm of possibility. If it ever happened, the NHLPA would become a virtual non-factor. Meanwhile, the Boston groups stay in touch with the NHL on a regular basis.

Peter Forsberg can't wait to get back to playing NHL hockey (AP)

Is Peter Forsberg disgusted with playing in his native Sweden? Sounds like it. He wants back to Colorado and even has the brains to admit, “Everyone knows salaries will go down. No big deal; it’ll be the same for everyone.” Hmmm, Pete, tell that to your beloved leader.

A GM who has been totally correct in his CBA predictions is whispering that the NHL won’t resume until January! Well, that fits the Goodenow timetable!

Bob Goodenow should start working on his pep-talk for the upcoming “union” meeting, May 24-26. With that in mind, the Edmonton Sun’s Robert Tychkowski notes, “Still waiting for Bob Goodenow’s exit strategy, and wondering how he keeps his job when the players realize they gave up a year’s salary to sign a deal that’s worse than the one they had in front of them last September.”

The big question is this: Are there any NHLPA members willing to take control of their own lives and demand that a deal is hammered out that gives players a reasonable 54 percent cut of the NHL gross? Or will the silent “union” majority continue their splendid imitation of sheep? Answer: bet on the latter. A good question for Goodenow would be: “You’ve lost a year of salary and a year out of our careers. You’ve giving up on the No-Cap and No-Linkage stance. So, what’s the end game? Our guess is his advice will be, “Just stick with Bob!” After all he’s already blown an aggregate of about $1.2 billion in salaries already.

Just Wondering Department: Teammate Brendan Morrison is one of several players urging reinstatement of Todd Bertuzzi. Would Mo have felt similarly had Steve Moore delivered the cheap-shot and Bert had been the victim?

“Union” scare tactics continue as part of its CBA strategy. One gambit is spreading word that players drafted in 2003 - and not signed by June 1 - will return to the Draft. Another is that players needing qualifying offers by July l will be free agents. NHL maintains that, under prevailing labor law “nothing changes on July 1st.” Or, as the league’s chief negotiator, Bill Daly, insists, “It’s union-directed rhetoric, which is so baseless, it’s almost laughable.”

Pitiable is one description of the manner in which agents remain intimidated by the “union.” So far, only Bobby Orr has shown public gumption, taking a shot at both Bettman and Goodenow. But, as one observer notes, “It was the only way Orr could attack Goodenow!”

No World Championships-involved player is more admired - especially by the media - than Martin Brodeur. And nobody analyzes him better than Marty’s boss, Lou Lamoriello. “Marty respects those who are talented,” says Lou, “and isn’t jealous of anybody. He doesn’t blame teammates and knows when to be quiet when there’s somebody to blame.”

Ed Snider, is in a class with six American presidents, Frank Sinatra and Muhammad Ali. The Flyers’ leader will receive an Ellis Island Medal of Honor on May 14. It’ll be presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations on Ellis Island. The son of a Russian immigrant, Ed crafted the Flyers into a major league masterpiece.

Brett Hull's motivation for keeping in shape is fading (AP)

One reason millionaire players couldn’t care less about a CBA settlement is their fat-catedness. Exhibit A is Brett Hull, who questions his motivation. “I’ll wake up and not feel like getting on the treadmill and say, ‘I don’t have to do that. I can retire’.” And he will. Exhibit B is Theo Fleury who brags “I made $50 million playing in the NHL.” Do you think exalted millionaires - Trevor Linden, Bill Guerin, Vince Damphousse - on the NHLPA exec board are worried? Hull, Fleury, et. al. have the answers.

Annual Lester Patrick Award is another Lockout victim. Ceremonies have been postponed for the duration.

Good move by the Capitals’ George McPhee linking with Hershey as Washington’s AHL farm club. Bears’ prexy-g.m. Doug Yingst is among the best execs in the biz. Caps plan a portion of training camp in nearby Pa.

Chicago’s front office scene remains intriguing. Will the Hawks retain Brian Sutter? We hope so. Will Dale Tallon succeed Bob Pulford as full-time GM?