42 Quotes by Ted Saskin

While we have not yet received a copy of the charge, based on the information contained in (media) reports we are confident that the charge has no merit whatsoever. It is regrettable that the individuals responsible for filing the charge have chosen to take this step at a time when NHLPA player representatives and executive committee members are in the midst of conducting a democratic and fair election. This election process ... will not be disrupted by such baseless actions.

We will continue to evaluate the current program before deciding whether or not any changes are required.

The parties met again today for approximately four hours and broke off with no progress to report.

While this is regrettable, it is important to remember that hundreds of NHL players have been tested over the years as part of their participation in the Nagano, Salt Lake City and the upcoming Turin Olympics, in addition to many other international hockey competitions, and this is the first positive test for a banned substance.

We resumed small group meetings with the league this week and spent the better part of four full days discussing a wide range of issues. Further small group meetings are scheduled starting Monday in Toronto.

What Dick Pound said about a significant percentage, something approaching 30 per cent of our players, taking banned substances is completely without any foundation and remains extraordinarily irresponsible given that he should be aware of the fact that there have been hundreds of tests done on NHL players over the last few years (for international competitions) with no positive results other than this one.

We understand from media reports that an NLRB charge has been filed against the NHLPA,

Bill knows that the concepts they discussed with us on Thursday would not form the basis for an agreement, so he should not be surprised that he hasn't heard from us. We were very clear on Thursday that we would not be negotiating over his proposed concepts.

At the league office, Bill Daly recently saw his compensation double from just below $1 million to just under $2 million (as he was promoted to deputy commissioner after our new CBA was finalized) and it is anticipated that Gary Bettman's compensation will increase from its current level of $3.5 million per year.