NHLPA names Donald Fehr as interim Executive Director

[MacK_Attack 108]

Donald Fehr has agreed to become the National Hockey League Players’ Association’s new executive director, according to Sports Business Journal.

Multiple sources have confirmed to the publication that the former Major League Baseball Players’ Association executive director will fill the NHLPA’s top job.

Read more: http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/08/25/fehr-to-become-nhlpa-executive-director-report/

Nick Kypreos reports the job is on an interim basis until after the next round of CBA talks are done (2012).

[SweWings 45]

If this doesn't become permanent I'd be very surprised.

[CenterIce 83]

If this doesn't become permanent I'd be very surprised.

He really didn't want the job in the first place. He was just consulting them, getting them ready for the new CBA.

[Echolalia 2,961]

What's the word on the street about this guy? I haven't been following the NHLPA follies very closely.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

I take this as very good news. However, more players have to become proactive to the cause for the NHLPA to become more efficient.

[ilmickeyli 40]

I take this as very good news. However, more players have to become proactive to the cause for the NHLPA to become more efficient.

I agree 1000% with this post.

My only concern is that having a head of the NHLPA that knows what he is doing may lead to another lockout.. But it could just be paranoia.

[CenterIce 83]

I agree 1000% with this post.

My only concern is that having a head of the NHLPA that knows what he is doing may lead to another lockout.. But it could just be paranoia.

It means the NHLPA wants to play a little more hard ball with the owners.

Edited August 26, 2010 by CenterIce

[acidroach420 25]

My only concern is that having a head of the NHLPA that knows what he is doing may lead to another lockout.. But it could just be paranoia.

This is a very solid fear. Donald lead the MLB through its strike in '94-'95 and is not afraid to play hardball. I'd expect some changes to the salary cap at the next CBA.

[grwingfan 21]

This tells me the NHLPA will strike until the Salary Cap is removed.

Get ready for another work stoppage.

[acidroach420 25]

This tells me the NHLPA will strike until the Salary Cap is removed.

Get ready for another work stoppage.

I feel like Bettman knows what will happen if there is a work stoppage again and as much as he'd like to control salaries, he doesn't want the league to lose the fans they have gained in the last few years. I'm expecting either a revenue sharing system again or a cap just like MLB where you can have x number of players being paid however much the team wants to and the rest of the team counts toward a cap.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

What's the word on the street about this guy? I haven't been following the NHLPA follies very closely.

I like this article; from Toronto Star :

...

“He didn’t know baseball. Why does he need to know about hockey?” Jays president Paul Beeston said of the man he considers a friend. “He knows negotiations.”

...

...

Which Fehr can fans expect — the one who ranted and raved about his downtrodden union members in the ’80s and ’90s or the one who tried to become a paternal figure to the players later on?

One thing is for sure: The bar as head of the union is set lower for Fehr in hockey. The players’ association is a mess. The agents run their own show. The salary cap is not working. Stanley Cup champion goalies win at arbitration then get released. The union is not respected as working for the players’ best interests.

All that is about to change.

The current agreement expires at the end of 2011-12, giving Fehr time to put his stamp on the next negotiation. Given his track record as the most hated man in baseball, here are four things you can expect to see.

• The salary cap will be a major issue.

• He will find the smartest, calmest, most reasonable players in the room and surround himself with their advice.

• Agents won’t hold their own press conferences and critique NHLPA direction and leadership during the process.

• There will be no agreement reached until the 11th hour — and the players will win.

[BlueMonk 102]

The PA definitely needs to get itself in order. My only fear is the probability of a work stoppage has increased significantly.

[McAwesome 754]

I doubt this means another strike, but the PA is definitely gearing themselves up to take a hard line in the next CBA negotiations. I expect to see the salary cap either revoked or significantly restructured. I hope there is not another strike, no NHL means no NHL GameCenter, which means I'm out of work too. Scary thought, no hockey AND unemployment, dark times.

[MacK_Attack 108]

I doubt this means another strike, but the PA is definitely gearing themselves up to take a hard line in the next CBA negotiations. I expect to see the salary cap either revoked or significantly restructured. I hope there is not another strike, no NHL means no NHL GameCenter, which means I'm out of work too. Scary thought, no hockey AND unemployment, dark times.

The 'PA doesn't need the cap revoked (nor would they get it) or altered, really. The players are doing quite well for themselves.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From New York Post :

...

Fehr, who told the PA's search committee last week he would accept the position of executive director, has given the executive board his conditions for employment.

They include:

- Salary of $3 million per year to run through completion of collective bargaining after the current CBA expires following the 2011-12 season.

- Salary of $1.5 million for the remainder of this year.

- Ability to hire his brother, Steve Fehr, currently special counsel to the MLBPA after 23 years as outside counsel to the baseball players' union, to an executive position.

- Autonomy relating to all personnel decisions within the union.

- Ability to live in New York.

- Permission to co-author a book about baseball with his brother, Steve.

- Permission to open a consulting firm, though with the express stipulation that his first priority at all times will be the NHLPA.

Sources report that several player reps expressed concern over the compensation to hire Don and Steve Fehr. Calgary's Robyn Regehr told the board he would have to confer with his teammates before casting a vote.

...

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From TSN :

Donald Fehr is a step closer to becoming the National Hockey League Players' Association's executive director.

The union announced Saturday it has accepted the recommendation of its search committee and will put Fehr's name to a vote among its membership.

Players are expected to vote following individual team meetings during training camp later this month. Members will also vote on various amendments to the NHLPA constitution.

...

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From TSN:

The National Hockey League Players' Association is about to formally announce its new leader.

Donald Fehr, a formidable force who spearheaded the Major League Baseball Players Association for 26 years is expected to be named to NHLPA the post, very likely, within the next 24 hours.

...

Good.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From TSN:

Don Fehr is finally the executive director of the National Hockey League Players' Association.

The union announced the move Saturday, saying the players voted "overwhelmingly to appoint Don Fehr as the new NHLPA executive director, following the executive board's endorsement."

...

[VM1138 1,921]

The PA definitely needs to get itself in order. My only fear is the probability of a work stoppage has increased significantly.

What you and others say is logical, BUT I've got to think the NHL won't let another work stoppage happen. The NHLPA has much greater leverage because the NHL knows another work stoppage would kill the NHL. What I'm more concerned about is that the NHLPA will get TOO greedy and push to hard, to the detriment of the sport. By all means, get your house in order, NHLPA, but don't bring down the league with demands that are too harsh.

[kook_10 1,705]

He had a good interview on HNIC tonight. He downplayed any prospects of a work stoppage noting that what was learned in the MLB stoppage was that is wasn't good for anybody- players, owners or fans. He also noted that their most recent agreement came amicably and for the first time without even a threat of stoppage. Of course he made no bones about needing to do his due diligence before being able to speak directly to the NHLs situation, but he seemed sharp and upbeat. Maybe someone can post a vid?

[Nev 1,085]

This tells me the NHLPA will strike until the Salary Cap is removed.

Get ready for another work stoppage.

As I understand it, the potential sticking point isn't the PA wanting the salary cap removed, but the owners wanting guaranteed contracts abolished - ie like the NFL, you can just cut a player at any time without having to pay them another dime. Something which I am totally opposed to.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

From nhl dot calm:

...

"We are pleased that the leadership position at the Players' Association has been filled, and we look forward to working with Don in his new role."

From this point on, it becomes very, very interesting.