Time is nearly up for Donald Fehr as NHLPA president

According to a report from NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Donald Fehr's time as executive director of the NHLPA is nearly up.

Fehr, of course, was the subject of an investigation after it was alleged that he essentially ignored former Chicago Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach back in 2010 when Beach was sexually assaulted by a Blackhawks coach.

The findings of that report are expected to be released shortly, but besides all of that it seems like Fehr will be voted out regardless.

From Seravalli:

Fehr turns 74 in July. He guided the players through the pandemic with an extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement that includes a flat salary cap for the foreseeable future and a $1 billion debt to owners, work that can be seen alternatively as Fehr’s most brilliant or most brutal.

The pressure Fehr is facing is not ageism, but rather through the perceived lack of value he provides to the union outside of the crucial war-time labor negotiating period. Next to no new meaningful revenue has been generated by the NHLPA during Fehr’s tenure. Plus, players have privately wondered about what they perceive is a too chummy relationship between Fehr, commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL.

One thing is clear: The clock is ticking on Fehr’s tenure.

Patience is wearing thin among agents, some players, and most critically, now the NHLPA’s own senior staff.

- Frank Seravalli

Interestingly enough, it was Fehr himself who spoke about the need for the NHLPA to have a "succession plan" for their leadership back in 2014... nearly a decade ago. Clearly, we're past due on the need to put this plan in action.