PAUL KELLY

We had NHLPA boss Paul Kelly on during the Sabres-Flyers game I did last night for Versus.

It was the first time I'd met him and the impression he gave was that of a man who is confident, a man that has a plan formulating to take the players forward, and perhaps more important, a man with very little pomposity or arrogance.

He reminds me of my former agent Steve Bartlett. Steve is a really good man in a profession that at its worst can make pornographers and weapons traders seem cuddly and warm. He was also a finalist for the PA job way back when they first hired Bob Goodenow.(I believe that's known as two lockouts ago)

Anyway, my partner John Forslund and I grilled the Executive Director with a barrage of hardball questions that demanded to be asked, the likes that had not been seen since Barbara Walters interviewed Streisand.

He did offer up insight into a number of issues staring the sport right in the eyes:

Schedule: He is anticipating an 84 game season in the near future.

Europe: He seemed in favor of increasing exposure to that market and potentially helping usher in a European division.

Player Safety: He said the players themselves must shoulder the majority of the responsibility but added that visors are eventually going to be mandatory.

Scoring: He seemed to feel strongly that the game needs to find a way to boost goal totals and layed a lot of the "blame" for today's shrinking numbers on coaching.

Relationship with Bettman/NHL: Thinks it's good. (But its early) Wants it to be more constructive than in past.

Marketing the Players: This is perhaps his most passionate cause. He is going to push the envelope to get his employers front and center, and often, in an effort to truly "grow the game". They are the product. They should be the spokesman. And they should not be muzzled by paranoid, Neanderthal-thinking hockey departments (Yes, that means you New Jersey)

Seems like a terrific man.

Could use an updated coiffe.

I Wish Mr. Kelly, Eric Lindros and the rest of the NHLPA all the best.