Ken Campbell's Column

Thanks to Donald Fehr, NHL negotiating against itself...and losing

Thanks to Donald Fehr, NHL negotiating against itself...and losing

by Ken Campbell - December 29, 2012 12:10 AM EST

With the latest CBA proposal, the league has folded on issues it said it wouldn't budge on. Why is the NHLPA winning once again?
The NHL players reportedly pay Donald Fehr about $3 million a year to run the affairs of their association. Given recent developments, all 750 of them should be tripping over themselves to give him an enormous raise.


CBA negotiations enter crunch time

CBA negotiations enter crunch time

by Ken Campbell - December 28, 2012 11:28 AM EST

Time is quickly running out for the NHL and NHLPA to save the 2012-13 season... plus other thoughts.
A number of people in the hockey industry, including a good number of my colleagues, believe there will be hockey played this season and the NHL will be up and running by the middle of January.


Thinking about a book, and a brother, at Christmas

Thinking about a book, and a brother, at Christmas

by Ken Campbell - December 24, 2012 9:38 AM EST

As stories of money dominate the hockey headlines, remember this: even the smallest selfless act can impact a life's path.
The inside cover of the book is inscribed with the following words - “To: Kenny. From: Mom and Dad, Christmas 1973.” I always thought it was odd that the best gift I ever received was from Mom and Dad, but was clearly in handwriting that belonged to my older brother, Jim.


Can't-miss NHL prospects - big pay day for McDavid; speedy Day to play for Canada

Can't-miss NHL prospects - big pay day for McDavid; speedy Day to play for Canada

by Ken Campbell - December 21, 2012 12:51 PM EST

How a 15-year-old inks a half-million dollar deal...why Detroit's Sean Day plans to head North...and the impact of saying goodbye to the NHLPA.
Some pre-Christmas Friday observations for your dining and dancing pleasure: This piece of news should have all you kids out there practicing your stickhandling until your wrists give out.


Players appear in favor of disclaiming interest

Players appear in favor of disclaiming interest

by Ken Campbell - December 20, 2012 11:15 AM EST

At a charity event Wednesday night, most players who were asked seemed to be in favor of dissolving the union.
The players have been playing their cards extremely close to the vest, but if the responses at a charity game involving locked out players is any indication, you can expect them to vote overwhelmingly in favor of giving their executive committee the authority to file a disclaimer of interest this week.


NHL preoccupied with crushing NHLPA

NHL preoccupied with crushing NHLPA

by Ken Campbell - December 17, 2012 12:15 PM EST

The NHL seemingly won the last labor dispute, but since it didn't turn out that way the league is trying to entirely get its way.
I vividly recall chatting with Jeff O’Neill the day the lockout ended in 2005. Upon discovering that veterans with 10 years experience would get a single hotel room on the road, O’Neill quipped, “Boy we really took them to the cleaners on that one, didn’t we?” That was the tone of things in 2005.


Most members of Canadian WJC team have already struck gold

Most members of Canadian WJC team have already struck gold

by Ken Campbell - December 14, 2012 4:30 PM EST

Most of those representing Canada have made large sums of money already in their young careers; plus thoughts on disclaimer of interest.
There’s a good chance if you’re a Canadian, depending upon which time zone you occupy, you’ll either be waking up really early or staying up really late to watch Canada play its first game in the World Junior Championship on Boxing Day.


NHL-NHLPA not far apart, despite rhetoric

NHL-NHLPA not far apart, despite rhetoric

by Ken Campbell - December 10, 2012 11:56 AM EST

The two sides in the CBA war have never been closer to a deal than they are right now, despite what they're saying.
Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of the negotiation process during this lockout is how the two sides can have such a diametrically opposed version of their own reality.


Shorter contract lengths would be curse in disguise

Shorter contract lengths would be curse in disguise

by Ken Campbell - December 7, 2012 7:51 PM EST

The money will stay the same, no matter how many years on are the deal...Keeping Bettman, Fehr out was folly...and all words lead to frustration.
NEW YORK – Some random thoughts on the heels of the debacle known as the latest round of collective bargaining negotiations: WATCH WHAT YOU WISH FOR I thought the most interesting thing anyone said Thursday came from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, who said that restricting players to five-year contracts is “the hill we will die on.


NHL, NHLPA negotiations break down in big way

NHL, NHLPA negotiations break down in big way

by Ken Campbell - December 6, 2012 9:54 PM EST

Just as it looked like optimism was peeking through, CBA talks melted away Thursday night.
NEW YORK – As it turned out, all the optimism expressed over the past couple of days from both the NHL owners and the players was nothing more than a sham and a complete failure.


Three reasons why owner-player meeting will fail

Three reasons why owner-player meeting will fail

by Ken Campbell - December 3, 2012 4:00 PM EST

In what seems like a Hail Mary attempt, the NHL and NHLPA are cutting out their leaders in the next negotiating session.
Almost nobody in the hockey world is attaching even cautious optimism to the Tuesday owners-players-only meeting, which is probably wise. That’s because there are too many aspects to this that work against it merely being an exercise in futility.


Forbes report does NHL no favors

Forbes report does NHL no favors

by Ken Campbell - November 30, 2012 11:15 AM EST

According to the reported profits and losses, the disparity between the haves and have-nots won't be solved with the current revenue-sharing proposal.
Some Friday lockout musings for your dining and dancing pleasure: Over the past 10 days, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has taken a rather, um, unique approach to negotiating.


Which team trailing 3-1 in their series is most likely to come back and win?





"Probably not. Their depth and our play right now...it doesn't look too good."

- Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, when asked if his team could come back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Contests

Our Partners