Xitium 272 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 http://www.nypost.com/seven/04202008/sport...less_107265.htm So, Bettman wants a $500,000 fine for Scott Niedermayer? April 20, 2008 -- Slap Shots has learned that instead, the league has sought to punish Niedermayer by fining him approximately $500,000 of his $6.75M salary for missing training camp, unilaterally invoking Article 15.3 (f) of the CBA that reads, "For each day a Player does not report to Training Camp without his Club's permission, his pay will be reduced by 1/275th of his annual . . . salary . . . " The league has instituted the fine, we're told, over the strong protests of Anaheim GM Brian Burke, who did give permission to the 34-year-old reigning Conn Smythe winner to miss camp and the early portion of the season while he contemplated retirement. When Niedermayer announced his return on Dec. 5, Burke said, "He earned the right to take time in making a decision, one that was clearly difficult for him." In fact, sources have told Slap Shots that Burke is working behind the scenes with Niedermayer - and by extension, the NHLPA - to get the fine reversed even as the Ducks attempt to fight their way back in their first-round title defense against Dallas. It is unclear whether the PA has filed an official grievance on the issue, but we're told that there have been numerous exchanges between the league and Players' Association on the matter. In fact, several sources have told The Post a resolution is expected within the next two weeks. Burke said Niedermayer had earned the time. Nonsense, said Bettman; Niedermayer had done a crime and had earned a $500,000 fine. Bettman and the fine-print people are concerned that this case might set a precedent. They are concerned that all those 34-year-old players who have won the Cup four times in addition to the Conn Smythe, the Norris Trophy, an Olympic Gold Medal, a World Championship tournament, a World Junior championship tournament, a Memorial Cup title and a World Cup; the commissioner is concerned that all of those players will skip training camp and the first few months of the season while their teams get the benefit of saving cap space. Full article at the link. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteLightning91 105 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Is this a joke? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 How credible is the NY Post? This sounds crazy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xitium 272 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 How credible is the NY Post? This sounds crazy. Its a legit paper as far as I'm aware. I mean, its not like the Onion, or a tabloid rag. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwinger4747 6 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 I'm not sure if this is legit, but I have no problem with it. Sitting out half a season to "contemplate retirement" simply cannot be tolerated by the NHL, period. It doesn't matter how good the player is, or how much they have accomplished, professional athletes are under contract to do their jobs. Fans pay money to see those players play, not sit out for a while. Not to mention how unfair it is to get cap space because of this. The NHL has simply realized that this absolutely, positively CAN NOT ever be allowed to happen, so they are gunna come down really hard on Nieds to make sure no one else does it. If I was Bettman, I would fine him for every penny I could. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swayze 81 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Okay, so if this is real...why is Bettman not seeking action against Selanne as well? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Now? Why did he wait so long? Weird. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Okay, so if this is real...why is Bettman not seeking action against Selanne as well? Selanne was not under contract for this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anomalously 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Okay, so if this is real...why is Bettman not seeking action against Selanne as well? Niedermayer was signed. Selanne was a UFA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwinger4747 6 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 (edited) Edited April 21, 2008 by redwinger4747 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 HAHAHAHAHAHHAHHA i love that picture Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 (edited) When interviewed about the fine Mike Millbury had the following to say: I didn't know we could fine part-time players Edited April 21, 2008 by Opie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A.T.Hun 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 That picture absolutely made my day. What could be better? The Wings advance and Chrissie gets to pick out his favorite golf shirt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
digitaljohn88 4 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 (edited) Oh nooeess! Niedermayer will make 6.25 mil instead of 6.75 mil! He's f***ed! Actually, he probably only made 3.5ish because he played half the season. Must be sweet to be financially secure enough to take 3 months off with a 3 million dollar paycut Edited April 21, 2008 by digitaljohn88 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 LMAO! Are they serious....I think that this is ridiculous, but HILARIOUS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Everything seemed plausible until that last paragraph. Then the whole article became questionable. That being said, no player IMO that is under contract should be able to come back midseason (after "contemplating" retirement) and not have the full cap hit take affect. I have no problem with it happening this year as Burke did nothing against the rules (he found a loop hole--can't fault him for that), but going forward this should be addressed to prevent more and more players from doing this sort of thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 I'm not sure if this is legit, but I have no problem with it. Sitting out half a season to "contemplate retirement" simply cannot be tolerated by the NHL, period. It doesn't matter how good the player is, or how much they have accomplished, professional athletes are under contract to do their jobs. Fans pay money to see those players play, not sit out for a while. Not to mention how unfair it is to get cap space because of this. The NHL has simply realized that this absolutely, positively CAN NOT ever be allowed to happen, so they are gunna come down really hard on Nieds to make sure no one else does it. If I was Bettman, I would fine him for every penny I could. Agreed. I don't like the precedence that Selanne and Neidermayer have set. They get a nice rest and the team gets a CAP break. Soon, every team will ask older vets to 'consider retirement' before coming back in February. I'm glad the league is doing this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Agreed. I don't like the precedence that Selanne and Neidermayer have set. They get a nice rest and the team gets a CAP break. Soon, every team will ask older vets to 'consider retirement' before coming back in February. I'm glad the league is doing this. Selanne isn't the same since he was a FA....I don't really think that there is an issue there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Looks bogus to me, since I haven't heard it anywhere else. Also, Niedermayer was not getting paid during the time he was off....making a fine seem odd. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Selanne and Forsberg are not in the same conversation as Neids, Neids was under contract, the difference is huge!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 April 1 was 20 days ago. But if this is true... well, I guess it could happen in the New NHL. Forsberg used to make it a habit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imisssergei 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Looks bogus to me, since I haven't heard it anywhere else. Also, Niedermayer was not getting paid during the time he was off....making a fine seem odd. The only reason he wasn't getting paid was because the Ducks suspended him, and under the CBA didn't have to pa him since he didn't report. The other side to this is that he can be fined for each day he missed in camp. The same thing happens in the NFL all the time. It's a little different, usually it's a player who isn't happy with his contract that threatens to sit out until he gets his deal reworked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Strange. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 (edited) Side with Bettman. Side with Needy. Side with Bettman. Side with Needy. Do we have an intracranial explosion smiley? Edited April 21, 2008 by 55fan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted April 21, 2008 Side with Bettman. Side with Needy. Side with Bettman. Side with Needy. Do we have an intracranial explosion smiley? This one works Damned no matter what side you pick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
