Inside the NHL: Donald Fehr’s end game, memories of Mike Bossy and top five surprise scorers

When Donald Fehr took over the NHL Players’ Association in December 2010, he brought heaps of credibility and a stabilizing presence.

Today, as his leadership appears to be winding down, it is unclear where the union will turn next.

Fehr may have been cleared of any wrongdoing in the Cozen O’Connor report that was released publicly Friday, but it raised enough questions about his response to allegations of sexual abuse by former Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach to cast some doubt on his future with the organization.

To be fair, those questions had already started to be asked about a 74-year-old who is more than four decades deep into a career in labour law. The odds were never particularly high on him remaining in place for the end of a collective bargaining agreement that could expire as soon as Sept. 15, 2026.

Now industry sources believe he might end up stepping aside before the start of next season.

What is unclear is how his successor will be identified.

There is certainly no one with anywhere near as much industry experience and gravitas for the NHLPA to pursue as they found in Fehr, following his extended run with the MLB Players Association.

Perhaps the closest is Glenn Healy, whose name is already circulating quite prominently in whispers about the role. The former NHL goaltender and broadcaster has been running the NHL Alumni Association for five years, and previously served as the NHLPA’s director of player affairs under former executive director Paul Kelly.

Other potential candidates include Mathieu Schneider, who has effectively served as Fehr’s right-hand man. Perhaps one of the league’s veteran certified agents could come forward for the job, or even someone from beyond the hockey world.

The union has a turbulent history and will be looking to execute a smooth transition of power when Fehr’s time runs out.

He may not have met the same fate as Stan Bowman, Al MacIsaac and Joel Quenneville — each of whom ended up out of a job following the Jenner and Block investigation into the Beach situation. But his grip on the NHLPA isn’t as firm as it once was.

The clock is officially ticking on his tenure.

RIP Mike Bossy

I never knew Mike Bossy the man. It would be impossible to come through my line of work and not know about Mike Bossy the hockey player. The nine straight 50-goal seasons and four consecutive Stanley Cup victories with the New York Islanders.

However, in the wake of Bossy’s death Friday from lung cancer, it was incredibly moving to get beyond his Hall of Fame numbers. Watching Bryan Trottier talk about his best friend in an interview with Ron McLean on “Hockey Night in Canada” was the most compelling thing I saw on TV all week.

“I got a chance to run up and see him last week. It was two days of laughter, two days of joy. We watched a little golf,” said Trottier. “When you can laugh and you can see someone who’s fighting pain and in your heart is always going to live there, it was spectacular. I got to say ‘thank you,’ I got to say ‘I love you,’ I got to sing to him.

“I got to enjoy our friendship for two more days.”

The two met during Islanders training camp in 1977. Bossy arrived with some hype after being drafted 15th overall out of the QMJHL, and Trottier invited him over for dinner. They found an immediate connection that went well beyond their time spent together on a line with Clark Gillies.

“We have the same likes, dislikes, interests, humour,” said Trottier. “Everything that friends have. Neither one of us comes from money and we laugh about everything.”

They also shared a love of scoring goals and producing offence.

Trottier reflected on Bossy’s historic 1980-81 season, when he became the second player in NHL history after Maurice Richard to score 50 goals in 50 games to start the year. He actually had a chance to add a 51st late in that 50th game, but instead sent the puck over to Trottier with a wide open net.

“We’re going back to the bench and I said, ‘Mike why didn’t you shoot the puck?’ (He said) ‘Bryan it was the right play,’” said Trottier. “That’s Mike. Always the right thing. He held himself with just the highest honour.”

I’m sorry I never met the man.

#AskCJ

Does Auston Matthews get a significant pay raise on his next contract or is he already getting paid world-beater money?

@shpb35

Matthews is the NHL’s second-highest paid player with a $11.64-million (U.S.) cap hit, but he’ll be in line for a big raise on the next deal. That contract will cover the period where the owners get repaid their pandemic debt, and the cap ceiling is projected to rise significantly. It’s way too early to say with any certainty what he’ll get paid starting in 2024, but it wouldn’t be surprising to me if it came in north of $15 million.

Do the Canucks keep Bruce Boudreau?

@FiskKylen

No final decisions are expected before the end of the regular season, but it appears likely Boudreau will be back behind the Canucks bench next season. His contract includes a clause calling for a payout if he isn’t retained. Plus the team has performed well since he was hired in December, climbing into the playoff chase following a horrific start.

Which non-NHL coach would you like to see behind the bench of an NHL team next year?

@Halostruct

How about Kori Cheverie? We’ve seen barriers broken in front offices this season with women getting opportunities from teams, but still haven’t had a woman working behind an NHL bench. Cheverie is serving as an assistant coach for Canada at the world under-18 men’s championship in Germany this week and has previously held the same job with Ryerson University. She’d be a great hire.

Who gets the best record out of the starting 5 for the Jays this year?

CakesNick

It’s got to be Alek Manoah. He looks like the real deal.

What is new Blue Jay Matt Chapman’s middle name?

@ColinBradbury95

It’s James. Matthew James Chapman.

Favourite part of living in the U.K. when you did? Bars, pubs, restaurants, sport, etc. (Know it ain’t the weather.)

@PhilipBexley

The best thing about living in London was just how truly global the city was. I had friends and colleagues from literally every corner of the globe. That was extremely exciting, especially in my early 20s, and quite honestly I could see myself living there again at some point in the future.

Anchovies on pizza — yes or no?

@You_Want_Some__

That’s going to be a hard no for me. Pineapple is OK, though.

What are some of your favourite bands?

@shawnp577

Lately I’ve been revisiting some of the music from my youth, so the ’90s mixes on Spotify have treated me well. I’ve always loved Radiohead and The Tragically Hip. I was happy to learn at Easter that my 19-year-old niece is listening to old-school Eminem. Among contemporary artists you can’t go wrong with Taylor Swift.

Best and worst part about your job?!?

@iamweston_23

The best part is, I don’t have to work for a living. I’ve been fortunate to spend my entire adult life getting paid to travel the globe and attend sporting events. Please don’t pinch me because I don’t want to wake up. As for the worst part? I truly haven’t found that yet.

Tidbits

Frederik Andersen was heading for an MRI after leaving Saturday’s game with an apparent leg injury … The timing couldn’t be much worse for Andersen, who missed a huge chunk of last year with knee issues and is arguably having the best season of his NHL career for the Carolina Hurricanes … The Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with an injury to starting goalie Tristan Jarry, who is officially considered week-to-week with only two weeks to go before the playoffs … The complete list of NHL head or interim head coaches not currently under contract for next season: Derek King (Chicago), Rick Bowness (Dallas), Jeff Blashill (Detroit), Jay Woodcroft (Edmonton), Andrew Brunette (Florida), Martin St. Louis (Montreal), John Hynes (Nashville), Mike Yeo (Philadelphia), Bruce Boudreau (Vancouver) and Dave Lowry (Winnipeg) … The Predators continue to negotiate with pending unrestricted free agent Filip Forsberg on a new contract … Credit to Johnny Gaudreau and the Calgary Flames for keeping his uncertain contractual status from becoming a distraction during a 100-plus-point season … The NHL’s draft lottery will once again be held remotely with team executives dialing in from their own cities. The league has decided on the date, but won’t be releasing it publicly until informing general managers … Don’t look now, but the Oilers are getting some goaltending: This past week, Mike Smith became just the seventh goalie in NHL history to post consecutive shutouts after his 40th birthday … Sidney Crosby has scored more than a point per game in all 17 of his NHL seasons … Top five points-per-game averages in 2021-22 entering Sunday: Connor McDavid (1.47), Auston Matthews (1.46), Jonathan Huberdeau (1.46), Nathan MacKinnon (1.42) and Mitch Marner (1.41).

C.J.’s Top Five

The highest-scoring NHL season in more than two decades has produced some incredible performances. Here are my top five under-the-radar campaigns:

1. Jesper Bratt New Jersey

The former sixth-round pick has 70 points in 70 games. And he’s due for a new contract this summer.

2. Matt Duchene Nashville

His 13th NHL season is officially his most productive with 39 goals, 76 points and seven more games to add to those totals.

3. Vladimir Tarasenko St. Louis

He’s shaken off persistent shoulder injuries and returned to old form with 32 goals and 73 points. Remember that Seattle passed on him entirely in the expansion draft last summer!

4. Joe Pavelski Dallas

A couple of months away from his 38th birthday and still going strong. Pavelski has 74 points in 75 games.

5. J.T. Miller Vancouver

Not much flies under the radar when you’re playing in a Canadian city, but how many people outside Vancouver know Miller has a legitimate shot at a 100-point season?

Parting thought

Death, taxes and Jaromir Jagr. The 50-year-old is still playing pro hockey at home in Czech Republic and still pulling down power-play time with the Kladno Knights. So there’s the thought: Do what you love and love what you do.

Chris Johnston writes about sports for NorthStar Bets. NorthStar Bets is owned by NordStar Capital, which also owns Torstar, the Star’s parent company. Follow him on Twitter: @reporterchris

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