Can they? No. It’s not moving the goalposts, there was 2 points in the original post and you addressed one of them. I brought up the second point and it’s all of a sudden moving the goalposts.
There was a lockout and the NHL wouldn’t budge.
No point of independent arbitrators when they are fired for decisions one party doesn’t agree with. Would you agree with that?
Sure the NHLPA can do whatever they want, with the NHL’s consent - which the NHL won’t give. So it’s a moot point. The person who you appeal suspensions to is probably lower in the priority of things to die on the sword by when you are risking a lockout. I’m sure the NHLPA compromised on it - but that doesn’t make it fair. In any labour dispute it’s never 50-50, the employers are always at an advantage because they have more money than the workers and can afford to wait it out longer.