Photo: Nick Wass/AP
According to Pierre LeBrun, there is a group of players who are vocal about their reluctance to come back and play, and until they get more firm answers to their questions they may not change their mind.
Kevin Bieksa caused a stir last week when he went on Sportsnet 650 Vancouver and said, “A lot of friends that I have and a lot of people that I’ve talked to that are going to be playing, they still don’t have their equipment, they still haven’t skated, they’re still very skeptical.”
Bieksa noted that a lack of information was a big issue.
“They haven’t been told anything by their team, so I’m skeptical. I obviously want hockey back. I’d love to cover some games and watch it on TV and get everything back to normal, but I wouldn’t jump the gun if I were the fans. I wouldn’t get your hopes up too much yet…. There’s so much to figure out.”
Sportsnet’s Elliot Friedman is reporting that the NHL and NHLPA are working on opt-out language for anyone who may feel uncomfortable about playing. The clause would reportedly allow players to forgo the return to play, without financial or contractual penalties.
The ‘opt-out’ clause is first and foremost a legal requirement by both sides so that the NHL and the NHLPA are not held liable for any future potential lawsuits. The question remains, would a player or players actually utilize the clause? How would they be looked at by other players who decided to play?
By Jon Sorensen
