The NHL has a poison pill in its lawsuit against the NHL Players' Association.

If the union is successful in winning its disclaimer of interest and then going the route of dissolution, then the NHL wants all contracts signed by the players deemed null and void.

"The NHL requests a declaration that, if the NHLPA's decertification or disclaimer were not deemed invalid by the NLRB, and the collective bargaining relationship between the parties were not otherwise to continue, all existing contracts between NHL players and NHL teams (known as Standard Player's Contracts or "SPCs") would be void and unenforceable," wrote the league.

A source close to the union said the NHL might want to be careful about having success on this front.

"Of interest in the court filings is the NHL's request if it loses on the legality of the lockout to have all player contracts nullified and declared void," said the source.

"So, the NHL is asking the courts to declare every NHL player an unrestricted free agent. I wonder how Pittsburgh would feel with (Sidney) Crosby, (Evgeni) Malkin and (Marc-Andre) Fleury on the free agent market to sign with the highest bidder? What about Tampa with (Steve) Stamkos? Or Minnesota with (Zach) Parise and (Ryan) Suter? A word of caution to the NHL, be very careful what you wish for."

bruce.garrioch@sunmedia.ca

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