The Puck Stops Here

Throughout its history, the NHL has tried to control its players and their hockey possibilities. This goes back at least as far as the original six days when teams could hold player's rights essentially in perpetuity, unless they traded them. On several occasions, players were blackballed from the NHL and had to continue their careers in the minors despite having displayed NHL ability. Over time, once the NHLPA came into existence, the NHL has been willing to trade off controls on the players in order to obtain what they thought was a better financial arrangement. Basically, the owners traded control of the players for more money. Where they can still maintain unreasonable control over players, the NHL owners will exert this power.

A case in point is that of Brandon Sugden. Sugden was drafted in 1996 by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has never played an NHL game. In 2006/07, he was property of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was playing in the minors with the Columbus AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. He was a goon who rarely scored (his AHL best is 8 points in a season) and often fought (his AHL record is 283 penalty minutes in a season). After playing 11 games in 06/07 for Syracuse, Sugden announced retirement. Basically, he said that new rules had made fighting less a part of the AHL game and that was what he enjoyed. He decided to play the remainder of the year in the semi-pro LNAH, a Quebec league that is regarded as the roughest hockey league in the world. In only 17 games with the St Jean Chiefs, he put up 165 PIMs, but did not score any points. He played there again last season getting no goals, six assists and 250 PIMs in 37 games.

Playing in another professional league immediately after retiring was against the NHL rules. Sugden was supposed to sit out of hockey for a year after retirement according official regulations. This point may be an important one used in the NHL's war with the KHL. It is entirely possible a player may retire from the NHL and play with the KHL. The NHL could use this rule to deny his return to their league.

Sugden wants to attempt to play in the NHL this year. He has obtained a tryout with the New York Islanders and hopes to attend their training camp. Sugden's father has cancer and Brandon hopes his father gets a chance to see him play in the NHL. In order to be allowed an NHL contract (or even a potential one where he is sent to the AHL); all NHL teams must sign a waiver to say that they allow him back without his sitting out a season. Apparently, the teams were asked and four said no. The NHLPA has taken up the appeal to his case. Assuming the one year sit out rule is not waived, Sugden playing this season would push back that year to next year.

The NHL has tried to exert maximum control over its players. It has only given up this control for attempts to increase profits. Even when the player involved is a minor player who will make little impact on the league, the NHL wants to maintain their control. Brandon Sugden is one such player.