A lot of you out there in Ek-land have been very nervous about what lies ahead for the NHL once the new NHLPA boss comes in.
Specifically, whether Donald Fehr will lead the players into a work stoppage like he did with Major League Baseball that led to the cancellation of the World Serious.
I was on the Fehr conference call today after the union's exec. board approved the recommendation of the search committee to submit Fehr's name to membership for a vote on exec. director.
I am CONVINCED Fehr understands - unlike Bob Goodenow _ that the NHL is not the NFL or even MLB. He went to lengths to explain that all sports are different and a salary cap may be a necessity in some sports. He also sounded like a man who is not hellbent on another work stoppage.
My question to Fehr - I was about 10th on the list _ was what he considers his most important chore within the confines of his own union. The NHLPA is a mess, not to mention, a disgrace. It is quite possibly in worse shape than the Newspaper Guild in the U.S.
Fehr told me he intends to COMMUNICATE to the players - a word that the players said was absent in past leadership although I, for one, think "politics" would better describe the undoing of Paul Kelly over "communication."
I'm on the record now as saying the CBA has been GOOD for the players and GOOD for the game, overall and there will not be another lockout, even with Fehr in office.
Here's my story on CSNPhilly.com:
http://tinyurl.com/2dutktj
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
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