The NHL Players' Association has decided to follow its leader.
In what can be viewed as an odd way to show support for NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, the players voted overwhelming in support of allowing the executive board to file a disclaimer of interest if necessary by Jan. 2.
While the union refused to reveal the results following six days of voting that ended Friday at noon, sources confirmed to QMI Agency the motion passed by an overwhelming margin, but it doesn’t mean the NHLPA will file right away.
There are no formal bargaining talks planned, but both sides did have contact last week. There was an expectation on the NHL’s side that the two sides could sit down before Christmas but that hope faded Friday.
“We will not be making any sort of public announcement concerning this internal NHLPA matter,” said union spokesman Jon Weatherdon in an email. “The PA remains focused on reaching a new agreement.”
