Kukla's Korner Hockey
Next entry: Here Is Your New Team
Previous entry: Goal or Not
The NTC
by Paul on 03/02/08 at 08:51 AM ET
Comments (2)
from Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News,
In the real world, the boss is the boss. Not happy with the boss? Find a way to make things work or look for another gig. In the NHL, the boss is the boss until players approach unrestricted free agency. And that’s when the boss stops calling the shots, and the player becomes the boss....
Unfortunately, it’s not going to change unless owners regain some leverage over players. There’s talk about including term limits on contracts under the next CBA. The issue was considered but pushed to the side during the lockout. No-trade clauses should be outlawed. The NFL-style franchise tag should be included. Teams should be able to negotiate extensions two years before a contract expires, not one.
Last night Elliotte Friedman of HNIC did another great inteview with Sabres owner Tom Golisano. You will get a pretty good picture of the way Golisano thinks and I recommend you watch it.
To get to the video, click here, then select Hockey Night In Canada from the left sidebar, then Mar.1 Inside Hockey.
Filed in: NHL Teams, NHL Talk, NHL Business of Hockey | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Tom+Golisano,
Comments
The owners need even more leverage over the players? What two lockouts weren’t enough? Are the owners only going to start drafting players that come over on the Amistad? This is the CBA the owners wanted and they are still crying about it. Since when do we have to coddle billionaires?
UFA is the equivalent of looking for another “gig” in case Gleason hasn’t figured it out. He should have to work for the Buffalo news at minimum wage for the remainder of his career since the newspaper business is in such trouble. If his web articles don’t get enough hits he should be focred to move and write for Rochester Fish Wrapper.
Posted by Hockey1919 from Montreal on 03/03/08 at 10:51 AM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Leafs Can Improve During Free Agency Period
Early Options For NHL Teams Traveling To Europe Next season
Niklas Kronwall Out After Knee On Knee Hit By Laraque
Brian Mullen’s Heart Still With The Rangers
Dealing With A Make-Shift Lineup
Sutter Trying To Find The Fire In The Flames
Cory Stillman Out With Knee Injury
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
Hockey Links
Except it’s not exactly the same as dealing with any other boss.
I wasn’t drafted when I got out of college, and only had the choice of working for one employer whether I wanted to move to the city or not.
I can leave my current job at any time, even in the middle of the year or in the middle of a big project, for anyone else I want to work for. Some industries have rules about working for close competitors for a period of time, but even so an employee can leave at any time.
And many players take a no-trade clause in return for less salary, the same way an employee in another field might take less salary to work at a company that gives them additional benefits, such as more flexible hours or a shorter commute.
Also, if I recall correctly, Ovechkin wasn’t looking to sign a 13 year deal - that was an ownership decision, not a player decision.
If you want to treat hockey players like other employees, then fine. Abolish the draft and let all teams compete for all available players, and let players send their resume out to other teams and solicit better offers whenever they want to and leave the team they are currently with for greener pastures with two weeks notice, just like many other areas of work.
Teams have a lot of control over the players as they are starting out in their careers and establishing themsleves. I can’t feel sorry for them if once the player gains more experience in the league they lose some level of the control they enjoyed before.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 03/02/08 at 09:19 AM ET