Kelly Out As NHLPA Head...???

((HT: TSN/Dreger))

NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly, who has been on the job less than two years, is facing intense scrutiny according to union sources and his status may be challenged when the Players' Association's 30-member executive committee convenes Sunday and Monday in Chicago at a regularly scheduled meeting.

Sources tell TSN that NHLPA interim ombudsman, Buzz Hargrove is expected to make a presentation to the committee identifying concerns within the association about Kelly's leadership. No details have emerged about the nature of the concerns.

Sources say it's possible the executive committee could vote to have Kelly removed and, in accordance with the NHLPA constitution, could do so without consent from the full membership of NHL players.

Sources say a divide in leadership intensified in June at the summer meetings in Las Vegas when Hargrove, advisory board head Ron Pink and the advisory board addressed the membership privately and emerged with the executive committee's consent on a 5 year contract extension for the general counsel of the NHLPA, Ian Penny, without Kelly's consultation. A union source said that exclusion violated the PA's constitution.

According to article 6, section 2, subsection 3 of the players associations constitution, Kelly was required to be consulted by the 30 member executive board when Penny's contract was extended.

The article reads:
"The executive director shall consult with the executive board regarding the appointment and terms and conditions of employment of the general counsel of the association."

Another source says Kelly was consulted in the Penny negotiation.

It's believed Pink, a Halifax labour lawyer applied for the executive director job before Kelly was hired and sources say he would have strong interest in the job if Kelly is ousted.

While this weekend could erupt into a showdown between Kelly's supporters and those challenging his leadership, there is also a chance Hargrove and those who support him will be shot down by the committee and Paul Kelly and those close to him will get through the weekend unscathed.

Requests to interview Hargrove and Kelly were declined by the NHLPA.

Kelly succeeded Ted Saskin as executive director in October, 2007 after Saskin was let go amid allegations he had been monitoring players confidential emails.

NHL Responds To Moyes Motion

((HT: Globesports/Waldie))

The National Hockey League is trying to block an attempt by Coyotes controlling owner Jerry Moyes ((pictured, thanks CP)) to force it to disclose details about a rival bid for the club.

Moyes wants a bankruptcy court judge in Phoenix to force the NHL to provide information about its discussions with Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls. The league has argued that it was close to a deal with Reinsdorf just before Moyes put the club into Chapter 11 protection on May 5 and announced a proposed sale to Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie for $212.5-million (U.S.). However, the NHL has not provided details about a possible deal with Reinsdorf.

On Monday, lawyers representing Moyes filed a motion seeking to compel the NHL to provide information about the discussions so that he could “examine the content of those discussions and the potential offer outstanding by Mr. Reinsdorf”.

This morning the NHL shot back, arguing in a court filing that there was “no justification for the efforts of [Coyote's] former principal Jerry Moyes to harass the league” with such a request.

The NHL argues that the court has to first determine who controls the Coyotes –- the NHL or Moyes – before dealing with this kind of request. It also argues that disclosing “any expressions of interest in the team could be harmful”.

“Forcing the early disclosure of information relative to such an investment, especially if it may be given to a competing “bidder” like Mr. Balsillie, could disrupt a value maximizing process,” the NHL argued. “The NHL has demonstrated its commitment to the success and welfare of the Phoenix Coyotes by providing additional financing to support the venture.”

A judge has yet to rule on the issue...

Darren Dreger from TSN adds the following:

In court documents obtained by TSN, the NHL charges the motion submitted on Monday by Moyes' legal team is ''premature'' and should be ''denied.''

"Pending the determination of who is in rightful control of the Debtors, there is no justification for the efforts of the Debtors' former principal, Jerry Moyes, to harass the league with such discovery that may prove wholly unnecessary. Premature disclosure of confidential discussions will jeopardize value for the league and all of its member teams, including the Phoenix Coyotes, as well as the team's creditors."

On Monday, Moyes filed the motion amid continued NHL speculation there are other groups interested in buying the Coyotes.

''The National Hockey League purports to have entered into discussions with, among others, Jerry Reinsdorf regarding his interest in potentially purchasing the Phoenix Coyotes club. Moreover, the National Hockey League has publicly announced it has been involved in discussions with groups, entities, or individuals other than Mr. Reinsdorf regarding the potential sale of the Phoenix Coyotes. The purpose of the production is to examine the content of those discussions and the potential offer outstanding by Mr. Reinsdorf related to these purported interests.''

At this point, the judge in this bankruptcy case has not granted the motion, but could do so at some point today.

If the Moyes motion is granted, the NHL will have to produce the content of discussions with Reinsdorf, and perhaps any other interested purchase groups.