NHL union just says no -- a rare and welcome moment of sanity

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The announcement Friday by the NHL Players’ Assn. that it won’t exercise its right to terminate the collective bargaining agreement with the league wasn’t a surprise, but it was a nice change from all the news of economic gloom and doom that has permeated the sports world lately.

The move ensures labor peace through the 2010-11 season. The union has an option to extend the CBA through 2011-12.

Players were smart enough to know that if they had tried to renegotiate the deal in this economic climate they would have gained no sympathy from fans who are struggling to pay mortgages, electric bills and other essential expenses.

Paul Kelly, the NHLPA’s executive director, said during a news conference in Montreal that the union ‘isn’t happy with’ many parts of the deal, but fans would have been very unhappy if there had been another lockout. Players are doing just fine under this deal: the $40.7 million floor is higher than the cap was in the first season, and teams such as the Flyers and Rangers have still thrown money around for long-term contracts.

There may still be some disagreements ahead, notably over NHL players’ participation in the Olympics after the Vancouver Games. Owners don’t want to shut the league down for 10 days or longer, but players want to continue to be part of the Games (must be all the free Olympic gear). That could be a contentious point, but it’s not worth risking a lockout.

The league and union also will discuss reviving the World Cup and increasing the number of games that NHL teams play in Europe, an inevitable progression.

Reopening labor negotiations and rekindling the chance of a lockout would have been an incredibly stupid move by the NHLPA. Now, we can get back to worrying about more important things, such as whether the Kings will spend any money to acquire a productive first-line left wing.

-- Helene Elliott