Comments on: NHLPA might take issue with Montreal’s decision to send Gomez home

By: hockeyflow33

hockeyflow33 — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 03:56:46 +0000

That’s not how it works.

By: hockeywithdrawal

hockeywithdrawal — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:26:40 +0000

er…maybe some other system, you mean.

By: habsman

habsman — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:13:56 +0000

He can continue to practice his trade, all he has to do is request to be be released from his contract. I’m sure the Habs would co-operate.

By: hockeyflow33

hockeyflow33 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:28:14 +0000

Well with that wonderful insight I’m sure your blog is filled with all sorts of gems.

By: hockeyflow33

hockeyflow33 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:27:08 +0000

Except they aren’t cutting ties with him, they’re restricting him from practicing his trade.

By: kitshky

kitshky — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:18:50 +0000

@bardown66 … but that’s the point, it’s not about whether or not we have an issue with his past performance or feel the move is morally justified.

It doesn’t really even matter if the team itself feels that way … they signed a contract and are therefore obligated to honour it.

By: kitshky

kitshky — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:16:44 +0000

You’re right, it’s not a loophole. The NHLPA should certainly cry foul on this, when it comes to Labour Law they’re absolutely and 100% right here.

The issue of whether or not we as fans think it’s a smart move for the team, or begrudge his past performance is irrelevant.

By: kitshky

kitshky — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:14:14 +0000

You’re probably being facetious but that would have been the smarter way to go…

By: valoisjoeybfeld69

valoisjoeybfeld69 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:04:36 +0000

Actually! His market value is pretty low, and will only go lower if he plays. So, he’s better off staying home an collecting the cash coming his way for the next 2 years.

By: stakex

stakex — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:10:24 +0000

Someone explain to me why the NHL/NHLPA didn’t just allow for the amnisty buyouts to take place now, before the start of this season? I mean what did anyone expect if teams can’t buyout injured players, but have to wait till after the season to do it? Of course teams aren’t going to let players they intend to buyout play.

The NHL and the PA should come to an agreement that either:

1. Buyouts can be used now. This would give buys like Redden and Gomez a chance to find a new team for this season… and I think both would be able to (with a massive paycut of course).

2. Allow teams to use buyouts next summer on any player whos hurt playing in the NHL this season. Want players to be playing, and not sitting at home waiting? This seems like a perfectly logical solution.

By: missthemexpos

missthemexpos — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:10:41 +0000

I think not playing this year might actually increase his future market value. Come this summer when Montreal use their amnesty buyout on Gomez, it won”t be quite as fresh in other General Managers memory just how far downhill Gomez’s hockey skills have deteriorated.

By: zetaone

zetaone — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:04:17 +0000

DIAF

By: chandlerco20

chandlerco20 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:53:07 +0000

As far as I’m concerned Gomez should be happy to be sitting on his couch earning 7.5 million over the course of these 4-5 months. Whether he plays or not his next contract will be a fraction of what he’s making now anyways. He’ll sign with some desperate team for what, 2 mil? Sure it hurts his market value, and that might be enough of a reason for him to play for MTL this season… I just don’t see someone with such little motivation redeeming himself this year in MTL.

By: cweez2

cweez2 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:18:04 +0000

Agreed. After posting I think I should’ve not said “loophole.” But it’s a pretty obvious miss on the NHLPA if they’re crying foul about it now.

By: johngaltx

johngaltx — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:10:35 +0000

“Do you have any idea what a union is for? ”

I thought unions were here to spread Communism and steal money from Americans.

By: pushforpros

pushforpros — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:59:35 +0000

Reblogged this on Live it, eat it, breathe it: Hockey and commented: Some good thoughts. I can see why Habs have done it this way, but can also see why the NHLPA might not be jumping for joy over it.

By: ThatGuy

ThatGuy — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:57:45 +0000

Do you have any idea what a union is for? Its to protect the rights of their members. The NHLPA has a duty to fight this, and should fight it.

By: lionstigersandwingsohmy

lionstigersandwingsohmy — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:54:09 +0000

I almost spit out my coke.

By: bardown66

bardown66 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:48:10 +0000

Valid point, and I’m not a harsh person but his stint in Montreal has been a total failure. I have no problem with these proceedings.

By: ibieiniid

ibieiniid — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:44:04 +0000

not standing up for either side in this one, but it’s a bit more complicated when signed contracts are in play.

By: bardown66

bardown66 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:43:36 +0000

Too bad Lou won’t take that contract. Gomez looks like he will be going the way of johnathon cheechoo and vanishing.

By: govtminion

govtminion — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:38:31 +0000

“The union might also argue that forcing Gomez to miss the entire season will hurt his market value.”

It will, however, result in the same number of goals, and will drastically improve his +/- rating.

By: ironcity6pak

ironcity6pak — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:37:00 +0000

He needs to find a place he feel comfortable in the system. When Gomez was in nj he was a great player, a dangerous player.

By: thecheeman

thecheeman — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:32:08 +0000

Sounds like the NHLPA is just trying to save a little face on behalf of one of their best-paid members. If you’re Gomez you probably don’t want to be perceived as not caring if you play hockey, so the NHLPA goes through a little Kabuki dance of objecting to your receiving full pay for doing nothing.

Whatever.

By: hockeywithdrawal

hockeywithdrawal — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:30:24 +0000

Agreed! Nicely put. I don’t even think it’s a loophole – they just aren’t taking chances and paying a guy to go home!

By: hockeywithdrawal

hockeywithdrawal — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:29:11 +0000

I love the NHLPA but I hope they back off this one quick…this is what the buy-out is for, MTL finally has a way out of a situation where a guy just stopped trying once he got a thick contract – they should not stand in the way.

This is not “simply because of newly implemented system issues”, this is performance-based. And whether Gomez likes it or not, we’re all judged by our performance. Or lack thereof. He’s not a victim here, he’s about to be paid big-time for doing nothing. MTL is the victim in Gomez’ case.

By: bardown66

bardown66 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:27:52 +0000

Edit* doing not dooms lol

By: bardown66

bardown66 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:26:19 +0000

Hey, just like anyone’s job. If you aren’t good enough to keep doing what you are dooms , the company will cut ties. No sympathy for an underachieving player like Gomez.

By: hockeywithdrawal

hockeywithdrawal — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:26:02 +0000

“Gomez is being banished not because he failed to discharge his contractual obligations, but simply because of newly implemented system issues”….

Come on now…you really believe he is being sent home “simply because of newly implemented system issues”? This is performance-based, he was given a contract that he has not even ATTEMPTED to live up to – and this is exactly what the buy-out is for.

I have been against the NHL during the entire lockout – but I agree with this. NHLPA should not fight this.

By: cweez2

cweez2 — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:23:47 +0000

What hurt his future market value was his past market performance.

No sympathy here – in all the months of meetings and discussions, to ignore this loophole isn’t Montreal’s fault.