Sheila Block will get centre-stage treatment Thursday, when the Toronto lawyer outlines her report into one of the most calamitous periods in the history of the NHL Players' Association.
Block was hired was hired months ago by the NHLPA to investigate how former executive director Bob Goodenow was ousted and Ted Saskin was hired to replace him, and how the association's constitution was ignored when it came to making key decisions.
Wednesday night in Toronto, Block met with the NHLPA executive board, which consists of player representatives from all 30 teams. Today, Block will meet with roughly 100 NHLPA members to review her findings and answer any questions.
Those who have read the summary of Block's report say it justifies the association's decision in May to fire Saskin with cause. An earlier investigation by Toronto lawyer Chris Paliare alleged that Saskin accessed the personal e-mail accounts of players to learn how they would be voting on his hiring.
Saskin and the NHLPA have yet to reach a settlement.
Along with the Block report, the NHLPA will get an update on the search for Saskin's replacement. A five-man committee, with the help of Reilly Partners, a Chicago head-hunting firm, has been interviewing candidates and narrowed the field to a list of less than 20.
The NHLPA's constitutional committee, which consists of Eric Lindros of the Dallas Stars, Matt Stajan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Andrew Peters of the Buffalo Sabres and Craig Adams of the Carolina Hurricanes, will also report on its progress in streamlining and improving the current constitution. Until the constitution is finalized and approved, the association will not elect a president to replace Trevor Linden.
The NHLPA's executive committee will also remain on an interim basis.
The association's meetings conclude tomorrow.
