Shanahan holds summit to improve NHL
Canadian Press
12/6/2004
TORONTO (CP) - Brendan Shanahan knows the NHL lockout will end one day. And when it does, the Detroit Red Wings star hopes fans will come back to a better game.
That's why he's organized a two-day hockey summit beginning here Tuesday with some of the game's biggest movers and shakers.
''I just thought it would be interesting to sit in a room together and discuss the game of hockey - just the game of hockey,'' Shanahan said over the phone Monday. ''I felt that when we do come back (from the lockout), we really need to get our focus back on the game of hockey.
''Regardless of what side you're on (in the labour talks), nobody is bigger than the game of hockey and I just wanted to put the focus back on the game.''
He hopes to come up with ideas on how to open up the game, increase offence - in short, improve the entertainment.
Shanahan, one of the best power forwards of his generation, is even footing the bill for his guests at the posh Four Seasons hotel in downtown Toronto.
''This was my idea and my responsibility. I'll gladly take that on,'' said Shanahan, who earned $6.5-million US last season.
The 35-year-old caught many by surprise with this meeting. He really hasn't been that vocal over the years about these kinds of issues, certainly not noticeable compared to the likes of Jeremy Roenick or Brett Hull.
But Shanahan felt the time was right to do something to help the game.
And he made sure he went through the proper channels before booking his hockey summit, speaking with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL director of operations Colin Campbell, NHL Players' Association executive director Bob Goodenow and NHLPA president Trevor Linden before finalizing plans for his state-of-the-game meeting.
''Once I was comfortable that this was not going to interfere with the CBA process, I went forward,'' Shanahan said before boarding a flight in Boston to Toronto.
And by talking with Bettman and Campbell, Shanahan wanted to make it clear he wasn't trying to pooh-pooh the league's owns efforts in improving the game.
''I'm not trying to step on anybody's toes - I'm trying to add to the process,'' said Shanahan. ''And I just wanted to explain that to them.
''My intention here is not to one-up or sidestep anybody.''
Still this is Shanahan's show, not the union's. No one from the NHLPA or NHL hierarchy will be present.
Shanahan would not disclose the list of guests at his two-day meeting, only to say that it's a cross-section of the industry, including players, coaches, GMs, referees and television executives.
Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey will definitely be there, the NHL club confirmed Monday, while Tampa Bay Lightning coach John Tortorella and veteran referee Bill McCreary are among those expected at the meeting. Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman turned down an invitation.
San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson was also invited but was likely to skip the meeting.
''I support what they are doing and I have talked to Brendan about it but at this point, I'm not sure if I can attend due to a prior commitment,'' Wilson said Monday night.
With the NHLPA and NHL resuming labour talks at the NHL's Toronto offices Thursday, it was important for Shanahan to re-assure everyone that the CBA was not on the table for his summit. This is about ways to make the on-ice product better.
And once he's done, he's got an appointment to keep.
''I've already been invited by Bob Goodenow and by Gary Bettman to meet with them after my meeting, to discuss some of the thoughts,'' Shanahan said. ''But I didn't create this meeting because I thought we would fix the NHL in two days with our small group. The greatest success that can come out of this meeting, because I have realistic expectations, is that I think we'll come up with some good ideas that will tweak the interest of the NHL and the union and really the best thing that can come out of this is that this continues with other players, other coaches, other general managers.
''I hope this is just the very first (meeting) in a long line. Let's continue to do this on a continual basis.''
One could easily understand if Campbell got his nose out of joint over this. After all, the league's hockey operations department has put in countless hours over the last few years in coming up with the new rules that were introduced in Henderson, Nev., last February, some of them in use this season in the AHL.
There was also a blue-ribbon panel of hockey experts, the likes of Bowman, Gainey, Mario Lemieux, Martin Brodeur, Kevin Lowe, Jacques Martin and Gary Roberts, invited by the league to New York last July 22 to discuss the new rules and other issues.
The new rules changes were put on hold by the labour conflict.
But Shanahan's phone call to Campbell may have diffused any ill-feelings created by the Detroit star's initiative.
''It's admirable and I wish them luck,'' Campbell said Monday.
''No one's afraid or put out by the fact that another group will be asking questions. That's good for hockey,'' he added.
Said Shanahan: ''There's no need for people to feel threatened by this meeting.''
Campbell offered Shanahan some advice.
''He asked me about running a meeting like this,'' said Campbell. ''He told me some of the topics they might be discussing and what my thoughts were on it. I told him these meetings weren't easy to run and that a lot of research needed to be done.''
With coaches, players, GMs and referees waiting out the lockout, Shanahan had no shortage of people with time on their hands.
''I wish I could have invited hundreds of people but for the sake of just getting something done, on just my little idea, the small scale of me, my fax machine and my computer, I kept the number down to 20,'' Shanahan said.
Cheers,
Aquaman
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