Tampa Bay Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik has the Backing of Players -NHL Lockout Update
While many team owners and especially, National Hockey League (NHL) commissioner Gary Bettman, have come under fire due to the persisting work stoppage, Tampa Bay Lightning owner, Jeff Vinik still enjoys the respect of his team’s players.
According to a number of veterans and TampaBay.com, Jeff Vinik is just one of those people that have done so much for the people around them and in order to make the place where they live, a better one for everyone, that it is hard imagining him being a
major player in wanting the lockout to continue until and unless their demands are met.
Team owners and players have been squaring off since June of this year and especially after the lockout came into force following expiration of the previous collective bargaining agreement through Gary Bettman and Players’ Association executive director,
Donald Fehr. Both sides have failed to gain anything positive out of it all as there is still no labour deal between them and the lockout continues as it did on day one of it all.
"Mr. Vinik has done so much for this community, it's two different things," captain Vinny Lecavalier said. "I know for a fact not all the owners are involved in the process, so it never came to my mind to associate him with what's going on."
"Because of everything he's done in the past few years, I have a hard time believing Mr. Vinik doesn't want to play."
One thing that has been confusing players and members of the players union is that it seems Gary Bettman is supposed to be working for all team owners, as in the end, he is chosen by them, but it does at times, look like he is just supporting a few.
"I'm not sure. Does he work for all the owners or just a couple?" wing Ryan Malone said. "Can all the owners come to meetings and talk to the media? Players can go to any (Players Association) meeting and talk to the media whether they're on our side or
not."
For now, there is a lot of confusion to what is going on and when a season could get started and players seem to be lost as much as fans are.
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