Because of lawsuits filed by the NHL and possible legal matters pending for the NHL Players' Association, several Sabres players skating in Buffalo didn't have much to say today about the state of labor talks.
They did, however, say they wish there were actual talks.
"We seem to have this trend where we put a proposal out and there’s a couple weeks where everything goes real quiet, then there’s some commotion again," defenseman Jordan Leopold said. "Hopefully, we get that commotion."
"It’s tough that there’s not much talking going on," forward Thomas Vanek said. "You would like both sides to at least communicate and work on it, so that’s frustrating."
Vanek and Leopold were joined in Northtown Center at Amherst by Buffalo teammates Ville Leino, Drew Stafford, Patrick Kaleta, Matt Ellis and Tyler Ennis, who has returned from playing in Switzerland.
They are awaiting the results of an NHLPA vote on whether to allow the executive board to file a disclaimer of interest, which would then open the door for antitrust lawsuits. Voting reportedly began Sunday and will run through Thursday.
"I think fans would like to see hockey be played, especially the best players in the world," Leopold said. "Here we are parked on the sidelines again, the second time in seven, eight years, and it’s unfortunate.
"Eventually it will subside and there will be a resolution. Hopefully, soon."
---John Vogl
