Now That's a Chunk of Change!

Did you know that Ted Saskin makes $2.13 million a year? Forget Ken Campbell’s report that a Chris Chelios led group has hired an investigator to look into Saskin’s dealing in his short stint as the NHLPA Director. This guy makes $2.8 million a year! If that is not shady, I don’t know what is. So let’s see, the NFLPA Directors makes $3 million; the NBAPA Director makes $1.8 million; the MLBPA Director makes $1 million. How does Saskin, new to this job, make $2.13 million? I’m dumbfounded. According to Campbell’s report…

There are also questions surrounding Saskin’s salary negotiation. In an email to Linden dated July 17, 2005, a copy of which was obtained by The Hockey News, Saskin used other union leaders salaries as points of comparison. In it, he said “I understand” NFL Players’ Association executive director Gene Upshaw made $3 million per year and NBA Players’ Association head Billy Hunter made $2.8 million. Hunter’s salary is reportedly closer to $1.8 million, while baseball union leader Donald Fehr reportedly makes $1 million with a pension guarantee of $150,000 per year.Saskin’s deal runs through 2009-10 and pays him an average of $2.13 million per year.One player said Saskin’s attempts to receive a salary similar to Goodenow’s – Saskin originally pitched an average salary of $2.4 million compared to Goodenow’s $2.8 million – has irked a number of members.“That’s like a rookie coming in and saying he wants to be paid the same as Nicklas Lidstrom,” the player said. “ “Sorry kid, that’s not how it works. You have to earn it.’ ”

The middle of the end for Gary… and Saskin Now?

I’ll read what Adam Proteau has to say and give you the main points:

First, Oilers chairman Cal Nicholls fired a shot across Gary Bettman’s bow at the last Board of Governors meeting, when he quite correctly derided the commissioner’s laissez-faire leadership during the heated debate over the NHL’s nonsensical schedule.

Then, this week comes rumours the league has made overtures to Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage, regarding his willingness to replace Bettman when the latter’s contract expires after the 2007-08 season.

Meanwhile, as THN Senior Writer Ken Campbell and others are reporting, the NHLPA is a mess of near-Mesopotamian proportions. One faction of the union wants nothing less than Ted Saskin’s resignation, while the other wants nothing more than some peace and quiet for at least 10 minutes.

At this point, it’s impossible to say the stories and people undermining Bettman and Saskin have a large degree of credence behind them. But everybody understands these types of tales rarely surface when collective expectations are being met.Two divergent sets of natives are growing increasingly restless, and no amount of Pollyanna press releases can mask that fact.

Let's all face it... Gary's in until 08. After that, it is all up to what the BOG wants... more money for their pockets? Or a better NHL for everyone?