(lit points to anyone who gets the reference)

And again, in a move that surprised no one, the NHLPA has given Ted Saskin the boot. I am not exactly fond of the ringleaders of the rebellion, but as a trade unionist myself I do think it’s good that the players have decided to finally take control of their union.

Bristolero Scott Burnside weighs in with his opinion on the matter.

Burnside (as usual) doesn’t say much that hasn’t already been said in other places, but one thing he says bears repeating:

Saskin’s replacement is going to have to be somebody different.

Note that I said different. Not a dirtbag like pension-fund pluderer Alan Eagleson, David Frost’s good buddy and agents’ shill Bob Goodenow, or that little weasel Ted Saskin. It’s going to have to be somebody that the players can trust, somebody who will want to actually do right by the players rather than line his own pockets or try to make as much jack as possible for the agents.

There also needs to be a serious top-to-bottom housecleaning in the NHLPA to get rid of anyone who has been in any sort of power there in the last 30 years.

Burn it down and start over, gentlemen.  And give Bobby Orr a shout, too–I have a feeling that he’d be glad to help rebuild the union and do things right.