Neither Chris Chelios nor Dirk Graham has a lot to gain by going on strike Wednesday. But both said Tuesday they will vote to walk if the majority of their teammates believe that is the proper course to take.
Chelios earns well over a million dollars a year. Graham turns 33 in July and won`t reap the benefits from a new bargaining agreement that is being worked out between owners and players. Yet, their commitment to the cause, probably reflective of the feeling of other veterans with little to gain, is one reason a strike seems likely.
”Somebody has to stand up and do it,” Graham said. ”If somebody had five or 10 years ago, I`d be in a better situation now. I`ve been in what should have been a free-agent situation. I`ve experienced that. I`m going to stand up for the young players now, even if it might affect me very little.”
Graham alluded to a situation a few years ago where the Hawks failed to make him a salary offer by the stated summer deadline, which supposedly set him a free agent. Instead, the NHL claimed on a technicality that the Hawks had made an offer in time, and Graham had to remain tied to Chicago.
Chelios` rich contract isn`t turning him into an idle observer. ”I`ve got nothng to gain, but I`m going to stick with the players on this team who do.”
Secret ballots: The Hawks studied and discussed the latest negotiating proposal before playing Detroit Tuesday night and reportedly voted on whether to strike before playing the game. But player rep Steve Larmer said he won`t release the results of the vote, which is cast by secret ballot on an individual basis.
”It feels to me like a strike,” Graham said after Tuesday morning`s practice.