Less than 24 hours before the NHL was to celebrate its 2009 Hall of Fame inductees, the NHLPA soap opera reared its ugly head again.
With interim executive director Ian Penny having recently stepped down, Buzz Hargrove informed the union yesterday that he is resigning as interim ombudsman effective immediately.
"In spite of some disagreements on issues with some of the executive board as well as disagreements with some advisory board members and staff, I have worked to try and strengthen the NHLPA," Hargrove said in a statement last night.
"I have come to the conclusion that I cannot under the current situation be effective in the role of the ombudsman or assist the leadership in building unity and solidarity that is necessary to move the NHLPA into the future."
There have been suggestions that Hargrove was a key player in the movement to dispose of Paul Kelly as executive director two months ago, allegations which Hargrove strongly has denied.
Interestingly, the executive board, made up of the 30 player reps, was to chat last night about a number of topics, including who would be hired to handle the settlements for Kelly and Penny.
Some observers feel that Glenn Healy, who resigned from the union in September, should be a candidate to take over.
WARD REMAINS IN HOSPITAL
COLUMBUS -- Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward remained in an Ohio hospital after his leg was cut by a skate, and general manager Jim Rutherford says he could miss up to four weeks.
Ward is expected to return to Raleigh today for further evaluation by the team's head orthopedic doctor.
Ward stretched to make a save while Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash skated through the crease during the first period of Columbus' 3-2 win on Saturday night, and it appeared Nash or a defenceman nicked Ward in the leg with a skate.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have sent forward Zach Boychuk to the team's AHL team in Albany.
