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Columnist doesn’t think decertification would be worth “all-around chaos”

Donald Fehr: Sidney Crosby

Donald Fehr, left, executive director of the NHL players’ association, talks to reporters following collective bargaining talks between the NHLPA and the NHL in Toronto on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012. Players, from left, Detroit Red Wings’ Daniel Cleary, Edmonton Oilers’ Shawn Horcoff, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, Carolina Hurricanes’ Eric Staal and Phoenix Coyotes’ Shane Doan listen in the background. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)

AP

A lot has been made about the NHLPA following the NBA and NFL lockout patterns by decertifying the union, but CSNPhilly.com’s Tim Panaccio believes it wouldn’t be worth the considerable risk.

The advantages of going this route is … well, all-around chaos, that could seemingly result in every player becoming immediate unrestricted free agents; players could sue the league for collusion, damages and back wages to honor existing contracts, etc. All of this is a minefield where some things could occur and others not yet imagined might appear, as well, as the process goes from the state to the federal levels. It’s absurd. It’s unrealistic. And it would be wasting valuable time heading on a detour in the talks rather than sticking with the process and getting a deal done.

Of course, one could counter that the two sides aren’t really making the most of the time at hand, anyway; Sunday’s update is the usual “they spoke but didn’t set up an official meeting” spiel.

Perhaps that’s why the NHLPA side is pondering the radical move of decertification while onlookers wonder if the owners need “a hero” to emerge and prompt some compromises.

Related:

Bill Daly says decertification “would likely lead to the end of the season”

Ryan Miller thinks NHLPA should decertify

Specter of decertification looms over lockout

Steve Nash’s agent thinks the union should have started the process months ago