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NHLPA could take first official steps toward making Donald Fehr their leader today

From an outsider’s perspective, it seems like any move to impede Donald Fehr’s quest to become the head of the NHLPA would just delay the inevitable, but the process still hasn’t technically begun.

Ken Campbell reports that Fehr may finally become an “official” candidate for the job today, though, as the players association is holding another Wednesday conference call.

The coronation of Donald Fehr as executive director of the NHL Players’ Association could receive a significant boost during a conference call this afternoon.

It would mean Fehr, who has been an unpaid advisor with the NHLPA for months and has been coy about his intentions for the top job, could become an official candidate and the frontrunner for the job as early as today.

It’s possible during the call the search committee will formally submit Fehr’s name for the vacant executive director’s job and recommend that he be hired. The executive committee, which is comprised of the 30 player representatives, would then hold a vote on whether or not to put the matter to a ratification vote of the full membership during training camp.

In order for the vote to go to all the players, two-thirds of the player reps on the conference call would have to approve, something that is expected to happen. It’s also expected the players will discuss how the votes among members will be counted, whether or not each player’s vote will count individually or whether each team will vote on Fehr’s candidacy based on the results of the vote among its players.

Campbell wrote that it’s possible that the union could vote on his candidacy during training camp so Fehr would be the head of the players association by the beginning of the 2010-11 season.

James Mirtle followed up on the story and shared his findings on Twitter.

Told there will not necessarily be decision/vote on Fehr today. Definitely a discussion taking place, though.

It might seem like the process is moving along at a glacial place, but it’s all about getting things in order before the Collective Bargaining Agreement runs out after the 2011-12 campaign. Just about everyone outside of the fray is rooting against a lockout or strike at all costs, so Fehr’s name does strike some fear into the hearts of many considering his association with the damaging 1994 Major League Baseball strike.

Still, Fehr has been a part of negotiations that didn’t involve a work stoppage, so it’s probably a bit hasty to play “Taps” for the 2012-13 season. Hopefully everyone involved will be wise enough to realize how crippling another work stoppage would be for anyone associated with the league.