The Players Association seems to be going thru some turmoil. Steve Larmer voiced his opinion with the selection of Ted Saskin as the NHLPA Executive Director by resigning. I don’t know much about NHLPA internal politics, but considering that the ‘final final’ draft of the agreed to CBA has not been released yet, this can not be good for the NHLPA.
Steve Larmer’s resignation letter
“I have worked for seven years at the NHLPA. For six of those years I am proud to say I worked for one of the most powerful organizations in pro sports but what has happened over the last nine months and more so in the last 90 days has led me to make a tough decision. I feel I must resign. I am resigning because this organization has taken a giant step backwards, back to the days of Eagleson where a select few made decisions for the group.
Where there has been misinformation and denial of information to the players that is totally disrespectful. This is something that I, and many others, worked so hard to get rid of in our organization and it has all returned. This is wrong. Honesty and transparency should be the foundation of this organization and that has been torn away.
I remember the Eagleson days when the PA was ruled by the minority and the majority was kept in the dark. Our group of players challenged it, demanded change and received it. We all vowed that those days would not return but low and behold they have.
For the past seven years I have traveled and spoken to many players. My role was to challenge them to ask questions, get answers so they could make both personal and collective decisions. To let them know that this is there organization. Without the right information it is tough to make decisions, lately the guys are having trouble getting answers to their questions.
What has taken place since Bob was let go is unacceptable. No matter how you look at it it shows a total disregard for all of the players. An organization has to be governed by its Constitution and Bylaws. When it is not it becomes self-serving.
When Bob was asked to step down in late July some members of the executive committee hired Ted right away. They did so relying on information given to them by Ted. They did not follow the constitution or the bylaws. They were misled and made a wrong decision. A small group of players does not have the authority to do what they do, the full board should have been consulted prior to making any decisions.
When a few players got wind of what was going and started to ask questions a conference call was set up to vote Ted in. Without prior information as to what the call was about after two hours a vote was held on whether or not to vote, it was 17 to 17. The called should have ended there, a warning to proceed slowly and do it right. Two hours later Ted was voted in but some how this did not seem right, not even to Ted. Then we have the “not so secret ballot vote” were there is some active soliciting of these votes taking place. This is totally wrong once again.
I was around during the Eagleson days and this is reminds me of how ‘Eagle’ operated. The Constitution and bylaws are there to protect the organization from any of this happening. This should have been dealt with right away and because it hasn’t leads me to believe that everyone thinks it will go away and everything will be all right. What is even more disheartening is that those on the executive committee refuse to do what’s right so as an organization we can begin the healing process.
Ted is relying on the players playing the game and not paying attention to a most important matter that could affect many players for many years going forward.
We are a tattered union to say the least and it will take along time for the players to trust those that are left to run the PA. I had a wonderful time working for all of the players, the best group of athletes anywhere. I have had the chance to learn a great many things from a lot of people in the last 7 years working at the PA and will without a doubt miss everyone. I feel that under the present conditions with all that is happening I cannot be associated with what is going on.”
