Jack Johnson surprised by NHLPA announcement

In early December, the NHL announced that next season would bring a radical realignment to the conference format and post-season schedule. The league was to split into four conference, no divisions, and the first two rounds of the playoffs were to be contested within the conference. This would be similar to how the playoffs worked in the 'Gretzy Era' - when the Kings would often meet up with Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

Another major change that was to take place would be a regular season schedule where all teams would play each other at least once at home and on the road. The positives of such a schedule are endless (and long over due), including stars like Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby coming to LA every year - instead of only once every few years.

Well, the plan was shot down by the NHLPA last week. Privately, some players had told me they weren't happy with the way the NHL went about 'force feeding' them the change. Additionally, Kings' defenseman Jack Johnson had no problem speaking his mind on the record...

"I'd like to see more teams," he began. "I had no idea we disapproved it until it was even announced. I'd like to play all the teams and see everyone. I'm pretty surprised actually that it was disapproved. I guess we'll see where it goes."

Expect much more on this story in the weeks to come.

If you missed NHLPA head Donald Fehr on MayorsManor last spring, here's a quick link. At the time, he was in town to meet with several agents and to review his overall plan. We were the only outlet covering the meetings and provided additional interviews with Anze Kopitar's agent Pat Brisson (link) and Dustin Brown's agent, Scott Norton (link).

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Agent Pat Brisson on NHLPA Meeting w/ Donald Fehr

Some may call him the agent to the stars.

Pat Brisson represents some of the biggest names in hockey - past, present and future. Just a small list of clients he's worked with includes Luc Robitaille, Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Matt Duchene and Anze Kopitar.

Although he was was a pretty good junior hockey player himself as well (even reaching the Memorial Cup Finals), he's best known as a forward-thinking agent who has been helping shape the business side of the game for more than two decades now.

He was also one of about 20 agents at the meeting in Los Angeles Thursday hosted by the NHLPA's new Executive Director, Donald Fehr.

Immediately following the all day session we heard from Fehr (article here). And yesterday Dustin Brown's agent, Scott Norton, commented on what was learned and discussed by the group (article here).

Now, here are some exclusive comments from Brisson...

MM: At a high level, what did you think of the meeting and what did you learn?

PB: It was good. Overall, we were getting to know Don (Fehr), his message and what he does. Of course, we know what he does - but, a small group session was a good idea. We got to express ourselves a little bit more and it's much easier to deliver a message that way. Overall, it was enjoyable.

MM: Donald Fehr been a rather public figure for the last 30+ years on the baseball side of things. Have you learned anything new about him yet or has he been as-advertised?

Agent Scott Norton on NHLPA Meeting w/ Donald Fehr

As reported yesterday afternoon, new NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr was in town to meet with a small group of agents.

We heard Fehr's thought on the discussions in an exclusive interview here.

Below, Scott Norton (Norton Sports Management), who reps the Kings' Dustin Brown, provides detailed commentary on the overall meeting, the major issue debated and even weighs in on the Dustin Brown trade rumors that have been popping up again.

MM: The bulk of the morning was spent on Donald Fehr updating the group on his background and experience. Given his very public role as the head of the Major League Baseball PA for over 30 years, did you learned anything new?

SN: I think, just new in terms of not knowing that much about his background. You know what you read and about the public persona. But, some of the in-depth and some of the way we're filling out the rest of the NHLPA board and the people they're bringing in, their experiences that will help move things forward with the CBA.

MM: How will the new NHLPA be different than what it has been over recently?

SN: I think it's going to be more solidified. I think Donald's going to be a great leader. I think people know from what we've gone through the past few years - hopefully some of the people aren't going to have their own agendas, that they've had in the past. I think the players are solidified and it's nice they get to take it backseat and watch the NFL and NBA go through what they're going to be going through.

MM: Knowing that you were going to be attending the meetings, did any of your players have specific questions they asked you to raise?

Exclusive Interview w/ NHLPA Head Donald Fehr

Negotiations on a new labor agreement are already underway in the NFL, with the NBA not far behind.

And right around the corner will be the NHL, as the current deal has one season remaining.

NHL players weren't happy with their previous leadership and ousted Paul Kelly from the Player's Association in rather controversial fashion back in August 2009.

After courting Donald Fehr, the former head of the Major League Baseball Players Association for several months, he finally agreed to come on board in December as Executive Director of the NHLPA.

Recently he's been touring North America hosting almost town-hall like meetings with player agents and the last stop was today in Los Angeles - where the agents for LA Kings' forwards Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown participated.

Below is part of an exclusive conversation I had Fehr immediately following today's activities...

MM:  I would assume most of the meetings held in various cities have had a similar overall tone and message.  Was there anything unique about the sessions today?

DF:  Well, the purpose of today was for me to meet the agents, to see them in a small group and get to the point where I could get to know some of them...and ask some questions and hear what's on their mind. Their concerns (today) are, in most respects, similar to what the agents voiced at the other meetings. There are always some particular things that come up because of individual clients though.

MM:  One person I spoke with earlier today noted they were impressed with how you've made such an effort to get to know the guys who have played just 20 games in the league as much as you have the big names like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.  Is that by design or is that just part of your make-up as a person?

...And Now You're Caught Up (12/20/2010)

Hockey has a certain rhythm to it. Every shift, every game and every season is inevitably packed with ebbs and flows. Teams are never as bad as they appear during their lowest points. Never as good as they seem during their highest ones. The very best clubs then must be not just talented, but resilient. Not just hungry, but focused.

That's form the new HBO documentary '24/7' - where they're providing a raw, behind the scenes look at the Penguins and Capitals leading up to the Winter Classic. The first episode was unlike any hockey show you've ever seen and should be mandatory viewing for all fans. You can check out the PG-rated version online for free here.

Rumor has it the Kings are working on a similar all-access type show to be produced by their Kings Vision team for online viewing.  It should debut in early 2011.

Now, if shopping, back-to-back Kings games, holiday parties, etc. has been keeping you from the HBO special and other key hockey stories over the last few days, don't worry - we're here to help. Below are the twelve puck related news items you need to know coming out of the weekend...

*  Donald Fehr was approved as the new head of the NHL Players Association, effective immediately.  Exactly what this means when it comes to the impending negotiations with the league office and rumors of a possible work stoppage is pure speculation at this point. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the story (for now) is that the NHLPA constitution is publicly available on their website.  That may be a first in sports.

*  One of the greatest American born players of all-time, Chris Chelios, was honored before the Red Wings - Blackhawks game on Friday night.  Video of the ceremonies can be seen here.

[After the jump - notes on Bernier/Quick, San Jose Sharks, Mike Cammalleri, Matt Greene, Brayden Schenn, Manchester, injury updates, trade rumors and much more.]

High / Low: Marcel Dionne

As the season wears on, we're pushing forward here at MayorsManor too. Last week former Kings netminder Kelly Hrudey stopped by to give us his take on the young NHL season. In honor of the festivities coming up this weekend, we decided to talk to not only a former Kings legend, but a Hall of Famer - the original King of Kings, Marcel Dionne. Throughout his career and post hockey life Marcel has never been shy about his views on the league, the game, former teammates...you name it, he'll give you his honest thoughts.

Here's what the great #16 had to say about the first month of play in the NHL:

HIGHS

• Pittsburgh Penguins - Look at the way they've started the season, like playing all those games last year didn't hurt them a bit. The short summer didn't bother them. It's so tough to repeat, yet they look like they're headed to the same place. It's even more amazing because they lost some key players. Those guys compete at a very high level every night.
• Washington Capitals - They play the game the way I liked to play the game. Just drop the puck and go...and keep going the whole game. Their coach, Bruce Boudreau, doesn't seem to care if they win 8-6. He just wants them to compete hard every game. That's fine with me. The only question mark on that team is the goaltending. Do they have enough to go all the way?
• Los Angeles Kings - I'm not just saying this to you, they are so, so close. I was disappointed in the way they played on opening night, but they've turned it around since then. They did lose a few on the start of that long road trip, then came back and won four in a row. I'm just happy for their fans. They've been fed such b.s. for so long and always seem to be rebuilding. There are great fans in Los Angeles. Fans that are really loyal. Right now they're playing like I thought they would this year. Kopitar is amazing.

LOWS

• Toronto Maple Leafs - What do I need to say? It's been terrible.
• Montreal Canadians - I don't think they have enough. With the 100th anniversary and everything the expectations were so high. I don't even think they'll make the playoffs. They're barely winning games. It's too bad they didn't get Vinny Lecavalier from Tampa Bay. He looks totally lost down there. I cant read him. But with their ownership situation and everything going on, he needs to get out of there and try it somewhere else. His confidence might be shot. As I've always said, confidence is everything to a player.
• The NHLPA - The whole debacle with the Player's Association makes me sick. This thing has been a mess for a long, long time. A definite low.

There you have it, straight from the mouth of one of the greatest players to ever lace up the skates. Marcel Dionne played for the LA Kings from 1975 to 1987. He was only the third player in history to tally over 700 goals, finishing his career with 731. Dionne is in the top 10 of almost every major offensive category for the Kings. His number was retired to the Forum rafters in 1990 and two years later he took his rightful place along side all of the other hockey legends in the Hall of Fame.

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