HockeyChelios's plan would re-shape NHLPA

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Among those contacted: Joe Sakic and Mats Sundin (both, apparently, have declined); Mike Richter (still considering); Brendan Shanahan (still might play or join an organization) and Trevor Linden (who has accepted). The most interesting thing about this move is that it involves Linden and, potentially, Shanahan.

The relationship between Linden and Chelios was fractured by Ted Saskin's insertion as Bob Goodenow's replacement. The vote to install him was controversial, happening late at night with only 17 players on the call. Chelios, a Goodenow loyalist, fought hard against Saskin for two years until Saskin was removed for reading players’ emails.

There had to be some fence-mending with Shanahan as well. During the lockout, the Red Wings were one of the PA's most militant teams. Shanahan questioned the union's direction, feeling at one point the players' had lost control of the organization. There was a rift, and it played into the winger's move to the Rangers.

That Chelios has worked to restore these relationships shows how much he wants to change the PA's current structure. He wants to remove at least two members of the advisory board – Ron Pink and Dan O’Neill – along with ombudsman Buzz Hargrove for their roles in Paul Kelly's termination. He would also like an official review of general counsel Ian Penny’s contract. (By the way, it should be pointed out the five-year deal Penny signed is not guaranteed).

What we don’t know is how much support the defenceman really has. The original vote to remove Kelly was 22-5, with three abstentions. Teams have until Oct. 31 to decide on their new player reps – that's why Chelios still has the position in Detroit – and there have been no changes to the five Kelly supporters. In fact, two of those teams – the Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets – are represented by players not currently on their rosters (Chelios and Manny Malhotra).

There are eight new reps, and how they vote will determine the outcome. But, there are several teams believed to be solidly against Chelios. And, Penny will have support on the call from Don Fehr, the major reason baseball, unlike hockey, does not have a salary cap.

This is the big question: Were the players unwilling to make change going to be swayed? If not, the current administration stays and Chelios’s fight is over. If yes, then there are going to be headlines tomorrow.

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