Chris Phillips furious with NHL over stalled talks
Chris Phillips was livid Friday, “appalled” by what he perceived as “dirty tricks” by NHL owners, while negotiations in New York to salvage the season continue.
Chris Phillips was livid Friday, “appalled” by what he perceived as “dirty tricks” by NHL owners, while negotiations in New York to salvage the season continue.
Phillips suggests the league attempted to “pull the wool” over players’ eyes by trying to change the definition of hockey related revenues earlier this week. While the league has since acknowledged that an oversight was made – owners and players agreed on what constituted HRR previously in negotiations – Phillips says the move merely added to the players’ distrust.
He also says that’s a primary reason why players have opted for a second vote on giving its executive board the power to declare a disclaimer of interest – and possible decertification of the union – if necessary. Players have until 6 p.m. Saturday to vote.
“Negotiations were going well, we chose not to disclaim (as a union) and they turned around and pulled a couple of dirty tricks that upset a lot of us, so now we’re back to where we were in terms of having votes,” Phillips, the Senators’ player representative, said following a Friday practice at Ottawa’s Minto Arena.
“They changed the definition that basically there would be no accountability in terms of HRR accounting, so they could basically give us any number they wanted to…so, it’s great that we’re at 50/50 now, but it’s 50/50 of what? That’s just ridiculous. We’re trying to get a deal done and negotiate in good faith and (if there’s) garbage like that, that’s not going to get anything done.”
The Senators defenceman updated his fellow players of the situation following Friday’s workout and he was frustrated that the sides appear to be spinning their wheels once again.
“I just told the guys that this is worse than any part of the negotiating process,” he said. “I don’t understand it at all. The numbers are what they are, but this deal has all been about how much we’re going to give up, not what we’re going to get, and to go to their numbers and then for them to turn around and fudge what the numbers are going to be.
“It’s just ridiculous, expecting to get a deal done with these people that are trying to pull the wool over your eyes.”
Phillips isn’t easily persuaded by the league’s suggestions that it was a honest mistake.
“I don’t know if they were hoping we weren’t going to pick up on it or what, but I don’t know what the right word is…I’m appalled that they would try to get something like that in there under the system we have.
“I know they’ve said that it was a mistake and (the previous definition of HRR) is back in there, but I don’t know how it’s a mistake when you take something out. I can see it being a mistake if you were supposed to take something out and didn’t. When you go and change the wording, it’s obviously something done purposely.”
Two steps forward, two steps backwards.
You should have asked Chris why it was ok when the NHLPA tried to sneak in the clause trying to gaurentee the players x amount of money regardless if cap went down in november? So quit being hypocritical. As well, to try to say they snuck that in after your deadline is bs as well as it’s been in there for a week.Luckily I’ve got alot of respect for Chris so this will slide, but the PA needs to get their heads examined.
Chris needs to realize that it is the owners that have invested in, and take all the risks of success or failure. Why would the players expect to share equally in revenues when they have very little financial investment in the health of the league and its individual owners.
Maybe the NHLPA should’ve hired a leader who would, oh I don’t know, read the entire proposal before pulling the “oh we didn’t know” stunt the moment the disclaimer deadline expired. It’s all a gimmick from Fehr and the NHLPA. I’m tired of hearing about how angry players are at Bettman, and how he’s such a “bad guy.”
You’re in a situation where even if you signed the deal that is now at the table “as is,” you’ll be making millions of dollars to play a game. Cry me a river.
I think the players need to realize how much damage they have done to the fans perception of them and stop trying to try to milk the fans for sympathy. Every player who plays for an NHL team is overpaid in comparison to many other more important occupations. Just suck it up and play games for millions of dollars so you guys can continue to laugh about how much money you have gouged the fans for.
Poor old Chis, so easily manipulated byFehr..
The wording on HRR was sent to the PA last week by the league and when they objected. it was corrected well before the DOI vote.
The PA suddenly made a big deal of it after the vote and pretended that the League had try to bring in changes after the DOI voteven though this all went down th4 week before.
It seems all to easy for the PA tojerk the strings on these players. If only Phillips would try to educate himself in what was gong on instead of swallowing every line by the PA.
These guys are do easily led around by the nose that its embarrassing.
Soon Fer will flim flam them into losing the whole season because of laughable cheap nonsense like this.
Can someone ask Chris Phillips if he shares 50% of the restaurant related revenue with the staff at his Big Rig restaurant?
I got no sympathy for him or the nhlpa, until the season starts, I’m not supporting any nhlpa member run business. You won’t see ne at the Big Rig restaursnt anytime soon.
Numerous times I have read the players have said foolish things, all on account of GREED!
I can honestly say that this entire fiasco has damaged the game and my perception of the players.
Talk about biting the hand that feeds you boys. No consideration for fans or hockey staff not to mention how Chris and Alfie will have to face the guy that pays their salaries. All the nasty comments from players towards Bettman and the owners. I bet this won’t sit well with upper management. How awkward that will be.
I’d like to hear the conversations at the Phillips & Alfredsson dinner tables when they try to justified their actions to their kids. “Daddy makes millions and millions playing a game, but it just isn’t enough!”
Shame on all of you greedy, self-absorbed players!