Flyers fume at NHL rejection

These Flyers were shocked, dismayed and disgusted at yesterday's news that the National Hockey League had rejected last week's proposal by the Players Association and guaranteed the continuation of what is now a 91-day lockout.

On an evening that was supposed to celebrate some of the athletic and charitable achievements of area athletes, the Flyers attending last night's Philadelphia Sports Fans Choice Awards at the downtown Marriott reacted predictably to the latest news.

"It's pretty much a kick in the face to the players for the proposal they gave back," said Flyers center Jeremy Roenick, the subject of a roast at last night's event. "It just proves right there that there isn't going to be a hockey season."

Among the concessions the players proposed was a 24-percent salary rollback.

"I was shocked when we gave our proposal and was even more shocked at what they did with it," Roenick said.

Goalie Robert Esche, the Flyers' player representative, was equally perplexed after yesterday's negotiations.

"Right now it's a bad day in hockey," Esche said. "It's definitely not the players' fault. We went with a valiant effort and we did the best we could, and until the owners and that commissioner [Gary Bettman] realize we are not going to accept a salary cap, the quicker we can move along."

Obviously it won't be quickly enough. Esche said he was told last night by union head Bob Goodenow that there are no new negotiations because there is no need for them.

"We are so far off," Esche said. "More likely than not, he [Goodenow] told us flat-out on the phone, 'If there are places you guys can play, go play.' "

And Esche said he will be looking to do that.

What made the latest developments more discouraging to the Flyers and other players is that union members were optimistic about their proposal to the owners last week.

"I was very energetic on Friday with what we did to solve this problem and very disappointed to come back and hear how they have flatly rejected it," Flyers winger John LeClair said.

Roenick blamed a few unnamed hard-line owners for the apparent stalemate.

"There were a lot of owners I think that loved our proposal and would have taken it," Roenick said. "However, there are a few that are determined to drag this right through the mud and bring it right to the basement and really either break... and crush the union, [and] in essence maybe crush the NHL."

Roenick said the players may have to find another alternative to a return to NHL play.

"We'll have to see what we can do as players to try to create something for ourselves," Roenick said. "Because there is obviously nothing that is being created on the opposite side."

Notes.Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who wasn't in attendance, was named the Philadelphia MVP. Teammate Brian Westbrook was presented the "Rising Star" award... . Five players were honored as humanitarians: Esche, the Phantoms' Nick DeSchenes, the Sixers' Samuel Dalembert, the Soul's Sean Scott, and the Phillies' Bobby Abreu.