Patrick Sharp is trying to see the silver lining to an NHL lockout that’s about to cross into its third month.
With NHL Players Association president Donald Fehr telling union members on Friday that significant gaps still must be filled on either side before a deal can be hammered out, Sharp said being at home isn’t all bad.
“It’s frustrating. It’s ingrained in our DNA to be hockey players. That’s what we love to do and it’s frustrating when that’s taken away from you. But you try to stay positive. I’m looking at the bright side of things and it’s giving me an opportunity to spend a lot of time with my daughter, who’s 11 months old, that I otherwise would have missed out on,” the Chicago Blackhawks forward said, after taking in Lakehead’s 3-2 shootout loss to the UQTR Patriotes at Fort William Gardens.
“But I’m staying in shape and just getting ready for when that puck does drop.”
Still, he never thought things would go this far.
“I’m still baffled. I can’t believe that we’ve gotten to this point. I think the last time we spoke, in September or August, I was confident we would be playing hockey. It’s confusing, it’s frustrating, but hopefully they can save the season and we can get some hockey,” Sharp said.
The NHL on Friday began leaking its offer to various media outlets and reporters, leading some to believe Fehr wasn’t passing on the league’s offers to its membership, at least not in their entirety. Sharp said he’s doing his best to avoid reading what’s being reported in the media, noting he’s got much better and much more reliable sources at his fingertips.
“I don’t really pay much attention to outside sources. We’re well connected in the union and we listen to our emails and all the information we’re getting through our divisional reps and Don directly. That’s the way I stay informed,” he said, asked if he thought the players might be giving too much up in any potential labour deal.
“As far as all the numbers and what it comes down to, I’ll let those guys answer the questions that are in the meetings. At the end of the day we all want to play hockey and hopefully we can figure that out.”
Sharp said players are get daily updates from the union, and when he wants answers, he just asks.
“I’ve made phone calls, text messages. You keep in touch with people that inform you on every last detail. So we’re well informed.”
The Thunder Bay native is encouraged that talks seem to be ramping up, leading him to believe it’s possible the end to the labour dispute could be near.
“It’s great that they’re talking, that they’re meeting. It was a week-by-week thing, now it’s down to a day-by-day thing. I know we’re all hoping that something can get done. I’m optimistic that we’ll get some hockey pretty soon,” Sharp said.
“But at the end of the day, it’s up to those guys in the room.”
