LNH/NHL : in the mood for love.

So Ted Saskin, the executive director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association was a bit cosy with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and commissioner Gary Bettman ?

And he spied a bit over his members’ e.mails ?

And he lied a bit to get his 5-year US$ 19 million contract ?

And a TSN journalist ratted a couple of players who were « leading the charge against Ted » in an e.mail to Bill Daly ?

And Bill Daly was quick to forward the information to his good pal « Ted » Saskin ?

And « union activist » Chris Chelios now accuses power agent Don Mehan of playing « a role in undermining our union », because « a group of players, the majority of whom are Meehan’s clients, sidestepped (then NHLPA executive director) Goodenow’s no-cap position in an attempt to end the lock out » ?

And Mehan says it is « absolute nonsense » and wonders about « these slimeballs who are trying to ruin my reputation », but could nevertheless face a « decertification case » ?

And a good colleague of his -and « slimeball » candidate ?-, player agent Ritch Winter concurs « I am absolutely certain there are agents who will be decertified » ?

And Paul Kelly, a Boston litigation lawyer is the new NHLPA executive director ?

And he has negotiated for himself the same 5-year US$ 10 millions contract Saskin had been accused of getting through misrepresentations about the actual salaries of players’ representatives in other professional sports ?

Paul Kelly will no doubt have many opportunities to flex his litigation muscles. But against whom ?