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CFL free agency is just around the corner and there are some great players still available. But before we get there a little hockey talk. Yes, you read that right.

Friday night in Saskatchewan, over 1,400 people were in the presence of hockey greatness. The 55th Annual Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner in Saskatoon ran a tribute to Mr. Hockey, the great Gordie Howe. The MC of the event was Kelly Chase, and the list of guests included Bobby, Brett, and Dennis Hull, and the Great One Wayne Gretzky.

It was one of those nights where if you were lucky enough to be in attendance you felt like you were part of history. Howe sat on stage smiling while players like the Hulls and Gretzky spoke about him. How they first met, the first time they encountered him as an opponent; plenty of stories about Mr. Hockey.

Most sports fans have heard of just how entertaining Dennis Hull can be as a guest speaker, and he didn't disappoint, but this wasn't just any sports banquet. This was hockey royalty honouring and reminiscing about a player and person they all admire. As the panel of hockey legends told their stories, they referred to Howe as the best ever, and made sure to include that as good as he was on the ice, he is even a better person off it.

There were funny moments that had the room rolling in the isles. There were some more serious moments where players like Gretzky explained that he would do anything for Howe and for his family, and talked about some of the smaller but very important things that Howe taught him, like to always make sure that he signed an autograph properly out of respect for the hockey fan.

There were also some emotional moments, like when Chase shed a couple tears in the middle of his opening monologue, Mr. Hockey caught his eye and gave him the thumbs up.

It was a magical night and one that no one will forget. No. 99 proved that what he said during the night about Howe weren't just words when an hour after the event, in his hotel lobby bar while he was trying to wind down with his friends and hockey family, Gretzky patiently signed every jersey, picture, and napkin, for as many fans as he possibly could.

An hour earlier as the event was winding down, Gretzky wrapped things up by saying, "Gordie Howe was, is, and will always be the best hockey player of all time." High praise from the guy nicknamed "The Great One!"

Now to CFL free agency which opens Tuesday. There are still some big names on the board like import defensive linemen Justin Hickman from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. However, rather than list the top ten free agents available, which is different for everyone, and for every team, let’s talk about the untold story with regards to free agency in the CFL.

Too many times over my last twenty years covering this game, have I heard potential free agents this time of year reveal, off the record, that their current team had not yet even contacted them. No phone calls to ask how they are doing, no emails trying to arrange a phone call, nothing.

Now in fairness to GMs, teams that no longer think the player will fit into their plans really don't need to make a call in December. However, to often the team does want the player back, and is trying to play some sort of negotiation game by leaving the player wondering if the team is even interested anymore, in the hopes that they will save some money.

Some players, who will remain nameless, over the years have said they thought some GMs didn't contact them because they just assumed said player was going to look at what was available on the open market, and therefore were waiting to see what value other teams put on the free agent.

We have all heard that business is business, and the old cliché in negotiations, "you go high, I go low, and we will meet somewhere in the middle." However, football is the people business, and to wait for some other team to put a value on a player you want, or to not call a player you want back as a negotiation ploy, is not treating that person with respect, period.

Some may say that is an old fashion, or even naive way of thinking, and maybe it is to some degree. However, what happened to the days where a hand shake was more important than a contract, and the people working for you mattered? Every player knows that he can be cut at any time, and they also know teams have budgets and limits to what they can spend, and sometimes a player they want back won't fit into their financial structure.

Also, a potential free agent will want to play one team against another to create a bidding war to increase his salary. But the facts are that the money in the CFL for a potential free agent is not going to be that drastically different from one team to another.

So, what is more important to the player are questions like, is the organization first class? And will they treat their players with respect? Will the team appreciate their efforts and hard work? Will this team give the player a chance to win a championship?

So as GMs get ready to hit the phones on Tuesday, here is to hoping they keep in mind that it isn't always about money, it’s about people. If a GM hasn't called one of their own free agents by now it is probably too late. That player already assumes that the team doesn't want him back, or worse, doesn't care or appreciate his efforts.

There are two sides to every negotiation, and the business of sport is complicated, but in the CFL it really doesn't have to be. The money will be close from team to team, so what is most important to a free agent is respect and an organization that gives them a chance to win.