NEW YORK - There could be cracks in the armour of the NHL Players' Association.
There is belief moderates in the union pushed NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr to table the offer he did Wednesday. Washington Capitals blueliner Roman Hamrlik told a Czech newspaper he'd like to put the NHL's offer to a vote.
"I am disgusted," said Hamrlik in a translated version. "We have to push Fehr to the wall to get the deal. Time is against us. We lost a quarter of the season, it is $425-million. Who will give it back to us? Mr. Fehr?
"There should be voting between players. Four questions -- yes or no -- then count it. If half of players say let's play, then they should sign new CBA. If there is no season, he should leave and we will find someone new. Time is our enemy."
Caps' teammate Michal Neuvirth backed Hamrlik in an interview on TV Nova Sport in the Czech Republic.
"I agree 100% with (Hamrlik)," he reportedly said. "This lockout is not about (a) majority of players. It is about several superstars with big contracts."
Not everybody appreciated Hamrlik's comments.
"Usually have respect for 1000+ game players. Naive to expect Hamrlik to lookout for the younger," said Senators centre Zack Smith in a tweet posted early Thursday.
