Out of the Woodworks; Into the Fire

It started with Brendan Morrison, moved over to Jaromir Jagr, progressed to Manny Legace, and now is coming to a head with Sean Avery. The NHLPA Members are far from happy campers when it comes to the possible new deal that is going to be delivered in the next week or so. But over the last week, it was interesting what was to be said by people like Legace and Avery, whom are among the middle of the road players, voice their opinion of Bob Goodenow and the NHLPA Executive Committee.

Legace put it a little more softly by saying that sitting out was a mistake and a "farce." Of course, in his comments, he didn't sell out one person for being at fault. He basically said that it was the work of Goodenow and the Executive Committee. He did say that the intentions were good at the time, but in hindsight; probably not the best idea to mess with the ownership. Legace went onto say how it's not just him and the players who lost out on a season-- the businesses around the arenas and the fans were hurt more than he could ever imagine.

Fast forward almost a week later to today when Legace's former teammate, Sean Avery, made his move to become the next Brett Hull. When talking to the Los Angeles Times, Avery says that he and the rest of the NHLPA was "brainwashed" into thinking that sitting out was the best thing to do. Avery then went on to lambaste Union Head Bob Goodenow saying that he (Goodenow) thought he was bigger than he was. Avery claimed also that he never knew the "real story" when it came to the progress of talks and what happened at the meetings. Avery went onto apologize to the fans for wasting a year and he hopes they come back to the buildings.
When you look at this, you can see where guys like Avery and Legace are coming from. You heard it at the beginning of the Lockout with players like Mike Commodore and Andrew Ference said that sitting out was something that probably wasn't in the best interest for the players.

However, the Players thought that the Owners would fold like they did in '94. Unfortunately for them, the owners were stronger than they appeared and worked the well better than the Association. The NHL Owners are hardly "winners" coming out of this whole ordeal. No one won this battle, it was a matter of who could be less of a loser coming out of it.

Will we see more players come out either for or against the PA?? Time will tell, but I think plenty of players will come out saying both negative and positive things. Probably more of the negative than the positive. If the "lunchpail" players were treated like Avery described, then you can bet your bottom dollar that plenty more will come out against the brass of the NHLPA then for it.

Licking of the wounds seemed to have begun and it seems that when the NHL comes back, there could be plenty of ruckus in the NHLPA side of things. Possibly with the installation of a new Union Boss and divided factions amongst the players after this whole mess is done with. However, I'm sure that as long as there is NHL hockey on the ice with NHLPA members-- everyone will be somewhat happy with that.

This has been ScottyWazz. Take care of yourself and someone else. PEACE!!