How can NHL teams to fire players?

[Kimi]

This is mostly from random chat with mates about Mario with all the Cooke crap going on. Is there anyway Mario can fire Cooke? And more general is there a way from NHL team to fire players.

Assuming the player keep reporting to where ever he's sent (if being bounced about the minors) and goes to training and stuff he'd be required to do as a player. Can an NHL team get rid of a player because they suck at ice hockey. Or if they're just being an ass (passively or actively) and it's hurting the team. What if they're giving the team a bad image on the ice (as in Cooke's case).

I'd have assumed that if they didn't do there job they'd be fired, but as you've got a contract 'hidden' in the minors (Redden) that isn't this case. (as in top dollar contract to play a top line/pair/starter, but the player can't do it).

Mostly random curiosity here more than anything.

 

[Inkling]

They can buy them out of their contract and release them.

Perhaps contracts also have good behaviour clauses, but I'm pretty sure something like Cooke's suspension would not apply. I seem to remember them talking about it when Sean Avery was in trouble and it would have to be pretty bad or else the NHLPA would file a grievance and tie it up in courts.

 

[Buck Aki Berg]

They can buy them out of their contract and release them.

Perhaps contracts also have good behaviour clauses, but I'm pretty sure something like Cooke's suspension would not apply. I seem to remember them talking about it when Sean Avery was in trouble and it would have to be pretty bad or else the NHLPA would file a grievance and tie it up in courts.

I think you're right - those generally apply to off-ice conduct. But you have to wonder if an "on-ice" conduct clause would fly with the PA. Or do they not care so long as the player inks his name at the bottom?

 

[edog37]

define "fire". The players all have guaranteed contracts (as do coaches), so the concept of "firing" is a little different than in the real world. These guys continue to get paid even though they don't work there anymore...

 

[kdb209]

A club may fine or suspend a player whose conduct violates Club rules (under Paragraph 4 of the SPC), however they cannot terminate the contract unless that conduct materially breaches the SPC (under Paragraph 14).

4. The Club may from time to time during the continuance of this SPC establish reasonable
rules governing the conduct and conditioning of the Player, and such reasonable rules shall form
part of this SPC and the Agreement as fully as if herein written. For violation of any such rules
or for any conduct impairing the thorough and faithful discharge of the duties incumbent upon
the Player, the Club may impose a reasonable fine upon the Player and deduct the amount
thereof from any money due or to become due to the Player. The Club may also suspend the
Player for violation of any such rules. When the Player is fined or suspended, he shall be given
notice in writing stating the amount of the fine and/or the duration of the suspension and the
reason therefor. Copies of the rules referred to herein shall be filed at the main offices of the
League and the National Hockey League Players' Association ("NHLPA").

14. The Club may also terminate this SPC upon written notice to the Player (but only after
obtaining Waivers from all other Clubs) if the Player shall at anytime:

(a) fail, refuse, or neglect to obey the Club's rules governing training and conduct of
Players, if such failure, refusal or neglect should constitute a material breach of this SPC.

(b) fail, refuse or neglect to render his services hereunder or in any other manner
materially breach this SPC.​

 

[T_Cage]

Nope, Mario was dumb enough to hire a screw-up like Cooke, he's stuck with him

 

[Edges7*]

Nope, Mario was dumb enough to hire a screw-up like Cooke, he's stuck with him

Ray Shero "hired" Cooke.