The Messenger said:
Looks like the NHLPA is getting some advice that could be useful in challenging a CBA and possibly decertification or even rights of undrafted players, unsigned prospects and soon to RFA ..
Seems a bit strange considering Daly says the CBA will address all the issues !!!!.
honestly this is the most misleading title and comment i've seen.
a) the NHLPA isn't getting advice, IMG is getting advice. those are two
very different things and you should understand that simple fact. they are
not "NHLPA agents," they are NHLPA certified agents... all that means is that they've been approved to represent players, however, their number one professional responsibility remains to the player, not the organization that is the NHLPA.
b) they will be looking to challenge RFA, draft-rights, etc... i very much doubt they will be looking at decertification. the only time that decertification would come into the discussion would be if an agent decided that it was in the best interest of his client, at which point he would advise him of that fact. the reason why they will stick to looking long and hard at the RFA's and un-signed draft picks is that it is quite possible they could find a method to make their client a better deal -- and by association, more money for themselves.
news flash!!!
agents one and only concern is making money for their client, and getting their % off of that. that is their job, it is what they do. they look out for their clients best interests only so far as it adds to the
value of their client both personally and professionaly. sure, they may like their client as a friend or whatever, but ultimately when they are in the office, board room, wherever it is a professional relationship where money is on the line. this report is completely about agents evaluating their position in terms of money for both their company, and their clients. it has very little directly to do with the NHLPA's position outside of any indirect feeling that may come through their clients, or anything they feel they can pass along to the union for the betterment of their client (note: passing information along in that fashion is very different than the implication of the original post and the title).
jobs
NHLPA - make as much money and create the best working environment possible for their entire body. (obviously it can be argued how much they care about the little guy)
IMG agents (or any other agent/group) - make as much money as possible for player X by exploiting the rules and the situation in front of them as much as possible.
while similar in some ways, those are two different approaches.