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Wednesday, November 24, 1999
Passing the bucks
Silence could be deadly for NHLPA
All the attention in Ottawa has shifted to the future of a former cornfield in Kanata where the Senators are fighting for their lives, waiting for help from inside the political arena.
Industry Minister John Manley has tried to pass the buck to the NHLPA by suggesting the membership take a paycut in an attempt to help save Canadian teams.
Since union head Bob Goodenow has been strangely silent on the issue, the players have been left to fend for themselves.
"You sit here, you read what these guys say and then I guess we're supposed to react to it. It's a tough subject to discuss for us," said veteran Kevin Dineen.
"I know that guys made it very clear and they've been very vocal about the fact they want the team to stay here. There's no question about it, I think everybody knows that's the case. This is a great place to play.
"But if we go down to Texas, where there are no state taxes, then we're going to save money. Let's say a guy makes $100,000, then he's going to save $5,000 or $6,000 just by moving there. I know by saying that I sound like a rich, spoiled hockey player.
"From that standpoint, guys are already making sacrifices to stay in Canada. I know if you just leave that quote like that, I'm going to look like a real jerk. The reality is we want this team to stay here. Whatever the reaction is will have to come from the NHLPA in this case. No matter how bad I want this team to stay here, this situation is out of my hands."
The average salary in the NHL will jump past $1.3 million US this season. Players have tried to stay quiet on the tax issue because they don't understand everything that's happening and the union has failed to take a stand.
People have to remember players are only taking what they're being given and the owners haven't stopped writing the cheques.
Alexandre Daigle grabbed $12.25 million from the Senators in 1993 because it was handed to him. The Pittsburgh Penguins had a choice not to pay Jaromir Jagr $9 million US for his huge talent.
The collective bargaining agreement is going to be in place until the end of the 2003-04 season -- unless there is a lockout -- and then the league could shut down until it gets what it considers a proper contract completed.
"I want this team to stay here more than anybody in this room," said Nepean native Jason York. "I love this area, I'm from here and my family is all here. I don't want to see us playing anywhere else.
"I've heard politicians say that we don't invest in the community, but I've bought a home here and I also have a cottage in the area. I want my daughter to go to school here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
The owners are trying to make moves to keep salaries down. It's the No. 1 reason why Rod Bryden has taken a hard-line stance with holdout Alexei Yashin. The Senators can't afford to shell out the $8-9 million US a season he wants.
There is going to be more done to attack salaries in the next couple of years.
Anybody becoming a Group II restricted free agent can expect a long fight to get a contract. Some players have been forced to take cuts.
The NHLPA hasn't said anything about taking pay cuts to help save Canadian teams, but in this case, silence could be deadly.
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