Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
That gives him a job to do. Not sure it grants a power to do whatever he wants in aid of that goal.
For example if he thinks RFAs shouldn’t get 8 year contracts for the good of the game, he can’t just outlaw them.
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Not within the term of the current CBA. (8 yr contract thing)
A quick phone call to Fehr before taking any action on this would have been prudent. But, who was going to object? Only the team on the top of the waiver priority list, but they wouldn't really have a leg to stand on. Again, a quick phone call to that team would be prudent to remind them of the 'best interest of the game'.
Commissioners deal with unforeseen circumstances. There were question marks and ambiguity around Pronger, Datsyuk, etc. situations - the league steps in and clarifies. It's a few situations each year across all sports. Very rarely, a specific owner or the players' union makes a fuss if not satisfied with the result (see Jones, Jerry). This would not have been one of those cases.
Owners want Bettman to protect them from themselves. The collective would not want to allow the precedent of a managerial screw-up to cost themselves their franchise.
Although...the league hasn't stepped in yet related to the management of the Oilers like they did the 76ers in the NBA...
