The NHLPA is in a better place today than when I came aboard 21 months ago. I have enormous respect...

The NHLPA is in a better place today than when I came aboard 21 months ago. I have enormous respect and admiration for the players and for the staff at the NHLPA -- they are a bright, energetic fabulous group of people.

"My primary goal was to protect the players' interests. I wanted to make sure the players got their fair share, that they weren't being deceived or manipulated or having their rights violated."

"I'm not going to talk about internal union matters. I subscribe to the theory that what happens in locker room stays in the locker room. I'm motivated by what's best for the players -- what protects the players and protects their interests."

Former NHLPA head Paul Kelly talks to Toronto's AM 640 about his firing

over 2 years ago Jonathan Willis 4 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Kelly

The owners should hire him for the next round of negotiations.

Contributor to The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Sep 2, 2009 8:22 PM MDT reply actions

Classy

Obviously, we don’t know all of the behind the scenes stuff, but everything that Paul Kelly has done publicly has displayed exceptional class and intelligence.

It’s hard not to like the guy.

A posse ad esse.

Writer for The Copper & Blue and OilersNation.

by Jonathan Willis on Sep 2, 2009 10:51 PM MDT up reply actions

I have to say though, I’m a little worried. If this signals that the players are going to try to play hard ball with the next round of negotiations, it stands to reason that we could see another long labor war. If the NHL even misses another day of the regular season, will anything that’s happened the last 5 years be even worth it?

Although, I’m not sure that blowing up the NHL, getting rid of Bettman and starting over with 24 teams isn’t the best course of action.

Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com

by HockeyOutsiders on Sep 3, 2009 7:53 AM MDT reply actions

But Bettman isn’t the problem. Bettman does what the Board says for the most part. He’s the mouthpiece of the owners; he can advise them, but he is beholden to them at the end of the day. Until you get rid of Jeremy Jacobs and his ilk, changing the voice will not change the message.

SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there)

by Doogie2K on Sep 3, 2009 11:43 AM MDT up reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Northwest Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	54	34	15	5	73
Colorado Mile High Hockey	56	28	25	3	59
Minnesota Hockey Wilderness	54	25	21	8	58
Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	55	25	22	8	58
Edmonton The Copper & Blue	54	21	28	5	47

(updated 2.11.2012 at 6:02 AM MST)

21 - 28 - 5

Streak: Lost 2

Oilers Schedule

Next 5 Games

@ Ottawa Silver Seven	Sat 02/11	12:00 PM MST
Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Wed 02/15	8:00 PM MST
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Fri 02/17	7:30 PM MST
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Sun 02/19	7:00 PM MST
@ Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	Tue 02/21	7:00 PM MST

Last 5 Games

@ Detroit Winging It In Motown	Wed 02/08	L 2 - 4
@ Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Mon 02/06	L 3 - 6
Detroit Winging It In Motown	Sat 02/04	SO - W 5 - 4
Chicago Second City Hockey	Thu 02/02	W 8 - 4
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Tue 01/31	W 3 - 2