While most of us in North America were trying to find a way to get away from the heat, Paul Kelly, head of the National Hockey League Players Association wasn't being chary about raising the heat when it came to the fight that's beginning to engulf international hockey. On Saturday, Kelly released a statement protesting an action by the International Ice Hockey Federation suspending six players from international play, including Alexander Radulov, a Russian now currently under contract to play next season for the Nashville Predators in the NHL as well as Salavat Ulaef of the KHL.
Kelly's statement follows in full:
"Yesterday's announcement by the IIHF that they have suspended certain Players from international competition has no basis in fact or law, and constitutes a violation of the rights of these Players. The affected Players are being unfairly singled out in a dispute between the NHL and the KHL over whether to respect each others' contracts. The NHLPA's strong objection to this unilateral action by the IIHF has been registered, and unless this action is reversed, the NHLPA will consider all legal options available.
As has been previously reported, the IIHF, the KHL, the NHL, the NHLPA, and several IIHF Federation members met in Zurich, Switzerland on July 10th to discuss the issues existing between the NHL and KHL, as well as other international ice hockey matters. Contrary to public comment by various attendees, while the meeting was productive and progress was made in several areas, a transfer agreement was not reached by the parties. In the absence of a transfer agreement or a written memorandum of understanding agreed to by all necessary parties, including the NHLPA, the IIHF cannot unilaterally act to sanction members of the NHLPA.
The NHLPA appreciates that the IIHF is taking action in an attempt to resolve the dispute between the NHL and KHL. The NHLPA will support these efforts by the IIHF, but not if individual Players are subjected to improper sanctions."
Here's something to think about: The Russians and every other European hockey federation are at odds with the NHL when it comes to the terms of a new international transfer agreement. The NHLPA has a new and aggressive leader who isn't exactly eager to cut the owners, and their representative, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, an even break when it comes to solving their problems.
There is rough sledding ahead my friends. Hold on tight.
