" You're just in time for our next guest to joining us on the ATT hotline AT&T your world delivered is the executive director. Of the NHL players' association. Paul Kelly Paul it's Eric treated Joe Hagerty in Boston are you. We can't refer -- his Boston's own right ball is out."
" Absolutely had to -- still I still live in the area I. I have on the -- under. Longtime Boston Bruins fan and have worked in Boston for the past 25 years equipment sitting at a desk in Toronto as we speak but. But don't."
" But you know it might still have the Boston the telltale Boston accent which legitimizes you know Oliver Bruins nation -- And we and we thought you're going to have to Juan turning your -- Boston Bruins fan membership card to take your current job but I guess those. That blood runs nice black -- indeed."
" Well I have to admit somebody Watkins in my office in the looked all that it just the few bought the Bruins. Photographed than though it's it's kind of I decided."
" Paul tells about your role did you just finished your first year right as the executive director -- you know tell some I mean we all know that. We hear about the executive director of the NHL players' association when there's talk of contracts in the labor peace or or lack of labor peace -- just tell us what you see your role and how your role has played out here in this first year."
" Well my principal role as is of course to represent that 700 plus players of the NHL on labor negotiations in. Legal matters grievances and the like but I there. You know given the current structure of the collective bargaining agreement that we operate -- The players and believe are supposed to be kind of joint ventures are partners so we get the players association to get involved in. Pretty much all aspects of the business and in whether it's. And other revenue generation the growth of the sport special events like the want to classic games overseas in Europe things of that nature so we're -- We're very busy on a number of fronts."
" We know all about the history of the CBA is there all's fair level of labor peace right now and what's that the next spot on the time -- me timeline here will we start hearing that term like. Collective bargaining agreement coming back into while the consciousness."
" While the players right now are actually in the midst of deciding. Whether to terminate the CPA at the and what -- and at the end of the current season. Or let it kind of live it's natural life which would be until September of 2011. They'll actually make that decision in the in the coming weeks. We just finished -- all thirty teams in disgust and the pros and cons of that and it certainly of the membership which was still in the process of tallying up so. I would -- at the present moment there is labor peace. There is concerned. Obviously on the part of the players. Given stated the economy in. How that may impact the sport and that particular interest salary cap system. But for the most part we are not warring with the NHL we -- doing the best we can't do have a constructive professional relationship but at the end of the day. I do represent the players and there are times when. Our rights and our interest sit differ from those of management and and the week."
" That getting to this sort of us -- league wide matters that I know you're kind of working on in and you've kind of put on your latest things you want to get taken care one of them. Obviously here in Boston that's of a big concern is is that hits today had the shots that I had. You Patrice Bergeron out with a concussion right now obviously that they hit that he took on December 20 at against Carolina. Really wasn't a shot to the -- was more initiating contact it was kind of a freak thing but. Last year I think obviously would would would fall under that category and be part of that kind of general bride shot to the head type by category. My my question you is you've talked a little bit about may be incorporating some new rules or policing even more within the rules. Penalties towards just blatant shots to -- where is that kind of progressing in in what would you like to see happen in the coming years as far as that goes."
" Well is that an area of great concern to the players. Oh we talked about it on the fall forward with each and every team. There is a great concern with kind of the growing number of these unfortunate it's to head in the concussions which which follow at the end of the day this is a competition committee matter which means that. In our sport we have a competition committee which consists of one owner Ford general managers in five players and and they. Are responsible to take up any -- rules changes and it requires a vote of seven of those individuals pass any. Rules change and noble want that the players are currently. Thinking about it exploring and still meet to discuss with the management side. Is modeling a rule not unlike the current rule out involving hits from behind and and basically do what with what was thinking about is. To make it a penalty. Column for our. An opposing player. To deliver. -- hit which which targets the head. All the player who is particularly ball mobile world -- able to protect and defend themselves so. A referee would have the discretion that he thought that the -- receiving player. You know didn't see it coming it was like the blind side and and the player delivering hit. Either intentionally or recklessly targeted to head with it with his hands arms elbows shoulder. That would be a penalty if the if it it was particularly violent or for resulted -- injury. The referee would have the discretion to impose major penalty. And it in the judgment of the official. It was a deliberate attempt to injure. And that could be a match penalty and so right now it's perfectly proper. To drop your shoulder and hit it descent was player but guys looked right. Skating across and in blind side you hit them with your shoulder. To their head that it. At the present time perfectly legal and our sport the problem as it's an extremely dangerous play. It has the potential to be career ending four players and it's something that. Without taking hitting out of the game without picking your aggressiveness side of the game which we we we think it's just the critically important part of our sport. We would like to protect our players were trying to find happy balance."
" Paul -- the executive director of the NHL players' association is our guest here on WV EI. Are you mention the competition comedian in the group of players how do you go about doing your business I know there are player reps for each team do you have a core group of veteran players that you. Kinda have as as your person goal sounding board I know you serve. At their discretion because you're representing them but I mean do you have a core group of people that it kind of like your advisory committee that. Kinda keeps you in the loop on what players are concerned about and what they need to be concerned about across the league."
" Not really they do that used to be the case under the old system unity NHL players association. We're one of my predecessors -- good now would've had. Five players serving as president of vice president. Representing the larger group we now have a system where each team has won. Representative and that group of -- if thirty teams that board. Are the people that I. You know top -- and report to mean clearly they're a veteran guys out there that are more involved in. And more active on a lot of these issues than others you know guys like Robin -- gear up and Calgary's. Crushed Chile does in Detroit. And parents in Boston. I think guys like that detect a particular interest in not only on -- issues the business issues as well so. You know informally to what talked to those guys and a regular basis yes they do but when it comes down to voting on particular issues it's like the each team has a vote. And that's the way we do our business these and."
" Events before the economy and how you're in a partnership of the league in the story came out last week regarding the franchise in Phoenix about you know how how desperate their financial straights are right now. How real concern is that who the players in the NHL that you are starting to hear conversation about teams. You know perhaps. Being unable to make payroll or or or needing to suspend operations if it gets to that point I don't think it's at that point in Phoenix perhaps you can shed some light on it but. You know contraction is a word no one wants to hear of their player in the NHL because that means that the number jobs is limited."
" I I don't think that this any serious rest of the Coyotes not meeting payroll. -- war or going out of business there and I've heard. I don't think the league would have allowed it to happen. If we did hypothetically -- situation where. A team ran into some serious financial. Problems I suspect that the other owners and the league with stepped up. And either make an advance payment on -- beat world music TV rights money in advance. To help that team get over particularly -- from the players perspective they want all he. The cease fire all of -- cylinders. -- the team is is not earning the revenues that it should be earning. It drags down you know frankly all of the teams and all the players as we now have revenue sharing arrangement. You know when you've got teams like Boston Toronto and in this year in particular Chicago Washington -- really. You know they're filling the building every night did -- a great job in terms of marketing their earning big dollars and that's great to see. We are however concerned and you have a Phoenix or Nationalists some of these teams. That are out there but you know we work with those close to work the -- To try to you know get those clubs back to you know performing. At the end of the day if if or five years in a row the club struggles financially. Then may be at least as. Start asking the question about whether or not that club. He's in the right idiot like geographic location and might not he'd be better to be moved someplace else. We haven't had in -- specific discussions but that you know certainly that is something that the placed it great interest --"
" Yeah I was actually going to in that vein going to follow up asking you either you personally your. The players that you've talked to really discussed may be some of these teams that are in nontraditional hockey markets that are struggling a little bit. Potentially being moved down the line if things continue like they are to the more traditional. Canadian hockey markets that don't have teams and -- back city Winnipeg. You know Hamilton made your somewhere second team in Toronto all these different markets where there there's hockey crazy people like -- potentially fill the stands. And it might be a better situation for these teams in the long run."
" Well it no question it would mean that the six Canadian franchises last year rolled the revenues and our sport in the sold out all of their game they ultimately I'd ticket prices. You know they've they've they've really the engine the NHL and it certainly Toronto could accommodate the second -- probably thirteen. I think get Quebec city while they do have a lack of a kind of a corporate base has not a lot of companies based in Quebec city -- the passionate hockey market. Winnipeg -- conditions with the building there that would need to be really totally renovated but. You know if eventually we need to relocate the team to. The players association's view of that is that. At least one of those two franchises it's not the very next one to be able to expand it should be -- Canadian market. After that another number US markets. That are interested in getting -- NHL franchise that would include Kansas City. Seattle. Houston. Las Vegas. I haven't executed depicted the hard look at all of those markets -- way to relative pros and cons figure out what makes the best long terms that."
" Our guest is Paul Kelly the executive director of the NHL players' association we all know that players are finicky -- they like the ice just the right way they like. Everything kind of in its proper place the boards to bounce just right and then on. New Year's Day they go to a place where who knows what the conditions are going to be but it seems like everybody is embrace this idea of an outdoor game what are your thoughts on. How successful it has been and the future of NHL teams playing outdoors much like Woolsey. On New Year's Day at Wrigley Field all."
" Well having been in Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo last you played again like tell you it was tremendous event and in the 79000 people with the thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was a little bit chilly the the the -- did come down at at different points in times but I think the fans enjoy it. I think it got a good TD response I know the players really just embraced the whole concept. The guys this year for the Red Wings in the Blackhawks are really looking forward to the game at Wrigley Field I've seen the other rank they've done a great job. Because skated on last night it is ready to go. It looked terrific on television. Actually headed there this afternoon. I think that. You will see this. If not an annual event certainly we would do it it was in every couple of years there's a number of cities which. Have made requests to do an -- game Boston certainly prominently in that group. You know -- the that was the only on the Red Sox have expressed the desire to put an outdoor game in Fenway Park. This talk of next year possibly doing -- out of games in the Yankee Stadium. Of course some of the market so -- in Denver and elsewhere have requested an opportunity to post against so there's no shortage of teams. Will and a host and frankly and BC likes the idea breaks up that long day of football and on into hockey -- the watched."
" It's like an oasis for all of -- happen."
" You know it I think this is going to be a great game not. Not only is that a great venue but it's a meaningful game you get two excellent teams in the black -- in the Red Wings a there's a lot on the line they're both healthy and and I think it's going to be terrific pocket."
" Paul I mean you know you can use what influence you have as the Boston guy you know you need to see a hockey game at Fenway Park before any hockey team takes place at old or new Yankee. He stadium just think of the children have just get a choice tickets bother you would have to a game where -- credit for David there next year instantly Yankee Stadium c'mon."
" You know those those. The threat up there a monster seats are well democracies to beat fabulous athletic frank -- that the the EMC club -- Million up there would be this. Looking down on the -- in the he'd just been wonderful."
" You know they took the glass out there you know that very well so it's not -- warm and cozy as he used to be up there so."
" They can put that Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy buffet in the police and all -- folks in the -- they can certainly put a good image on."
" I don't think there's any question about that. -- what's the role in Europe now and everything Paul because you know I I know Europe has been trying to. And a whole NHL players individually but also NHL teams to put on their product I'm sure the league is anxious and excited about trying to kind of expand markets as the phrase would go but. Obviously you know that involves and we we've seen and -- players -- patrons of the plane in London next to their already complaining about that mean the players need a yellow -- to about the Bruins being one of the teams that goes over their potentially plays in -- next I gotta imagine you get a little resistance on that front from from some your clientele Paul."
" Well hopefully not the players really. Have enjoyed the experience of playing in Europe -- in the year before last we did it. The game in London with the ducks and the kings. Last year we -- fourteen games put two regular season games in Prague in to a stop called. The initial planning for next year called for sixteenths to play in three different cities -- looking at a at a couple of -- potentially new cities. That we haven't yet visited such as -- Other places in Germany. So the player that you think it's a good experience and it's it's still kind of pre season for them like given the chance to let get he would get together this team bonding. They get to the world in the young kids in particular. Really enjoyed it you know Prague and Stockholm with terrific world class cities for the players. Got a chance to enjoy a little down time in those places. I'm not a great deal of resistance I mean if we get resistance is at all it's from those teams. That have been very successful pre season gate innocent to get a team like Montreal. Which sells out its pre season makes a lot of money one manager's seat -- like that. They would be a little reluctant because they they would risk potentially losing revenue. On the reason wood doing the European games released tuneful minutes it's business expansion its growth of the sport it's bringing our sport to a new market. And secondly it's it's kind of laying the groundwork for future international hockey events not just the Olympics next that February in Hoover. But also if you two World Cup. The next couple years. And also where test marketing a little bit to find out whether or not down the road. We might be able to actually have you know 234 NHL franchises based. I'm sort of a number of reasons why would doing it I personally think it's very good thing. I attended games this past fall you know we played to packed houses and and is yet -- knowledgeable hockey crowd so I'm hoping that we continue to do it."
" And it should be pretty uninteresting. Event next month with All-Star weekend happening up in Montreal looks like Clyde Julianne is going to be behind the bench at the bell senator for the Eastern Conference team will be plenty of Bruins. Taking part -- there's going to be some months some new wrinkles. As far as the other skills competition he just that kind of tell us a little bit about some the new things that are going to be happening."
" Sure -- Ellis billion Angels -- we are. Adding a couple of events that the the skills competition anybody last year so we we we have bit of a -- breakaway challenge kind of going to be used to moment but the problem was we didn't give our players a lot of advance notice the work on anti yeah breakaway shot. We didn't tell the -- that they should stay in the -- in the crease and a couple of guys jump out poke checked the puck away at Hewitt case if you were going to change the rules a little bit but we're gonna get five -- that are most talented players. Gave them plenty of notice and -- is an interesting breakaway challenge shots. The other thing we're going to do it last few years we've got what we call young guns game which has been kind of groups the first few players east against west. Well this you gonna change it and as a kind of the first few players against second year player. You know as the elected he like Milan which each actually performing in the young guns game which will be that. -- the -- courses and that options in the doubt he's of the world on one side and and the in the top players last year on the other side and frankly I. I I think that that game. Which will be probably 36 military minute periods. Has the potential actually -- outshine those that very All-Star game itself because I think those young guys have really going to take that games furiously again and actually work harder. The -- pride fact they're going to want to when that."
" So it's on either could actually be a little checking involved in that -- about it and I wouldn't it be disappointed of if that was in the baseball Kelly is our guests from the NHL. PA now I know you care equally about all thirty teams in all 700 of the players in the NHL but you you have to tell me honestly. You've got a little extra feeling of pride because the Bruins are back to being the Bruins but the team that you grew up. Watching is kind of unfolding here in many ways here in Boston that's going to be great to leave whenever an original six team plays up to the way that the fans expect him to be."
" You know it it's phenomenal to see it's it's it's great for the sport that it is not only -- The garden but but everywhere the Bruins go on because they are playing so well they fill the buildings around the league in. And the Blackhawks of doing the same thing and another original six team which is which has risen up and of course the capitals have exciting lineup led by Ovechkin and they're filling their buildings in also filling the buildings around the league so. When you have these young talented teams playing an exciting brand of hockey you really just went the entire sport. I think Peter surely has been just been masterful job of quietly putting together really solid line I mean there. Hopefully that will still stay healthy. It was unfortunate that the trees. Looks like he's gonna lose I'm here hopefully we'll be back and be healthy again but if they can stay healthy. That's in a lot of games already this year. I would say that. Between the Bruins. -- San Jose Sharks. The Chicago Blackhawks in the Detroit Red Wings those of the really. The -- powerhouse teams in the -- and the Bruins -- he can play with anyone on any night and if they stay healthy -- is a real good chance of the -- that deep into the playoffs."
" All you've got to have a favorite memory from the old building the big bad Bruins days when your grown up following the team that you can share with everybody here in Boston."
" Well you know I'm I'm I was a fan of the of the seventy in the 72 cup winning teams and in a big fan of of Escondido and that his line and of course Bobby Horry Jerry -- and Eddie Johnston and you know and I I guess I I'd be like most Bostonians. Classical but Bobby or. Winning the game against St. Louis blues wind through the air. Probably -- on the most quickly becomes the mine but. You know Miami there's any number of you know watching Johnny Mackenzie you know scary on the -- in. You know Derek Anderson sliding on the ice you know Award in the city means taking them but he out you know on the night -- I remember those big bad Bruins stayed in the seventies. Because that's really would like followed passionately that the young kid but. You know in later years obviously watching you know -- chameleon. Like no -- Terry O'Reilly and those guys was was awful lot. I think this team right now has the chance -- be really memorable and so I know the young kids in the Boston area. Are enjoying watching mister Damon and hopefully they'll be able to chalk it up that says something to us. The championship to remember along with the Red Sox and the Patriots and and felt."
" You do -- draws so you have a couple of Bob Bruins items on the wall I'm going to guess you've got you or photograph up there. I do it -- received -- guy is -- something else there that's emphasis of the without spot or -- do."
" Now I've actually have a look around my I probably shouldn't admit -- still good friends."
" If Phil did your bag gets some photos down there or up to Toronto Paul leads some work on the walls will always appreciate your time thank you very much for joining us in your insights on what's going on with the NHL in the NHL players association and happy new year. You and yours."
" Thank you Eric Beckett joked that he gave you end at all Sensabaugh thanks are called -- up the Toronto."
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