Goodenow resigns as NHLPA boss - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

silent_jay · 07-28-2005, 10:57 AM

I figured this was coming after the lock out really didn't accomplish anything for the player, and he said he'd never accept a cap and then had no choice but to accept it. I wonder if Mr. Bettman will be the next to go.

Quote:

Toronto — Bob Goodenow resigned Tuesday as the NHL Players' Association's executive director and general council.

In a prepared statement, the NHLPA said Ted Saskin, its senior director of business affairs and licensing, would take over where Goodenow left off.

"With the conclusion of the negotiations and the ratification of the new agreement, the parties concur that this is an appropriate action for the future," Goodenow said in a news release. "I wish the players every success under the new (agreement)."

The hard-nosed NHLPA executive director had three years remaining on a contract that reportedly paid him $2.5 million (U.S.) a year.

Goodenow did not sound like a man about to quit when he sat alongside commissioner Gary Bettman last Thursday at a news conference in Toronto announcing the players' ratification of the labour deal.

"There's been some reports and speculation (about the future) and that goes with the territory," Goodenow said at the time. "But I enjoy my work, I have a contract and I intend to abide by it certainly."

NHLPA president Trevor Linden thanked Goodenow, who had worked with the players' association for the past 15 years.

"Every NHL Player has benefited enormously from Bob's leadership and dedication," Linden said in the press release. "He has been a tireless advocate for the players and he dramatically improved the players' situation in every respect. Bob built the NHLPA into a first-class organization and we are all very grateful to him."

Saskin also thanked Goodenow for his service to the association.

"I know how dedicated Bob has been to the players. I plan to continue to serve them by building on the strong base that Bob created at the NHLPA," Saskin said.

Linden added that he was happy to see Saskin take over. "Ted has worked closely with Bob every step of the way and has done an excellent job for the Players in our recently concluded CBA negotiations. We have every confidence that he will be able to lead our association well in the years to come."

the_marq · 07-28-2005, 10:59 AM

Yeah I don't think this is really a "resignation" per se. More than likely he was forced out and allowed to save face for all the good work he did prior to this year. Too bad really, he was in an impossble situation

Quote:

Originally Posted by silent_jay

I wonder if Mr. Bettman will be the next to go.

Good god I hope so.

silent_jay · 07-28-2005, 11:14 AM

I agree I think he was allowed to save face, too bad it ended this way he did some great work in the past, hopefully he will be remembered for that and not the fiasco that was the lock out.

j8ear · 07-28-2005, 12:52 PM

Why would Bettman possibly go anywhere?

He singlehandedly handed the NHLPA their collective asses. He did exactly what the owners wanted him to do, and he did it without conceding a single thing.

Goodenow...wow, what a complete panty waste of a union boss. That punk folded like a cheap suit.

Allowed to save face or not...Goodenow left as a disgrace.

Go habs

-bear

rival · 07-28-2005, 03:55 PM

Yeah, not much chance he was going to stay on. I do feel kind of bad for the guy, though. It was really a lose/lose situation. The owners were hell bent on a salary cap, the NHLPA had no choice but to go with it. If Goodenow had agree to it up front, he would have been weak. Then, as soon as he said no, he couldn't flip flop.

I don't think anyone could have done much better with what he had to work with. The only major mistake he made was passing on the deal to save last season. He should have realized it wasn't going to get any better.

bigbad · 07-30-2005, 05:59 AM

His big problem was the players sold him out. I wouldn't want to stay in a job like that if I'd had to pull as big a reverse as he did because the rank and file wouldn't stay the course.

Bettman had to concede the age of free agency lowering, other than that he smashed the union to bits, so the owners won't be complaining about him. He let the game get into the state it was in though, and I think they definately need someone new in there to put it back on track.

07-28-2005, 11:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	I agree I think he was allowed to save face, too bad it ended this way he did some great work in the past, hopefully he will be remembered for that and not the fiasco that was the lock out. __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

07-28-2005, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
j8ear Gentlemen Farmer Location: Middle of nowhere, Jersey	Why would Bettman possibly go anywhere? He singlehandedly handed the NHLPA their collective asses. He did exactly what the owners wanted him to do, and he did it without conceding a single thing. Goodenow...wow, what a complete panty waste of a union boss. That punk folded like a cheap suit. Allowed to save face or not...Goodenow left as a disgrace. Go habs -bear __________________ It's alot easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission.

07-28-2005, 03:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
rival Crazy Location: Pittsburgh, Pa	Yeah, not much chance he was going to stay on. I do feel kind of bad for the guy, though. It was really a lose/lose situation. The owners were hell bent on a salary cap, the NHLPA had no choice but to go with it. If Goodenow had agree to it up front, he would have been weak. Then, as soon as he said no, he couldn't flip flop. I don't think anyone could have done much better with what he had to work with. The only major mistake he made was passing on the deal to save last season. He should have realized it wasn't going to get any better.

07-30-2005, 05:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
bigbad Insane	His big problem was the players sold him out. I wouldn't want to stay in a job like that if I'd had to pull as big a reverse as he did because the rank and file wouldn't stay the course. Bettman had to concede the age of free agency lowering, other than that he smashed the union to bits, so the owners won't be complaining about him. He let the game get into the state it was in though, and I think they definately need someone new in there to put it back on track.