NHL lockout - looks like another season down the drain

[ptrthgr8]

Hi, all.

Looks like the NHL season will be toast soon. I was maintaining some hope for at least a shortened season that still included the Winter Classic, but I've taken a rather pessimistic view given the happenings from this week. Definitely bummed since I was going to take the wifey to Minneapolis for her second ever NHL game (Wings vs. the Wild) next month and I was really looking forward to the Winter Classic in Detroit. Two Wings-Leafs alumi games? That would have been sweet. But, alas, it looks more and more like none of that will happen.

I tend to side with the owners in this one. I think the 50/50 split was more than fair (that 57% the player got last CBA was insane). But I do think the owners are being pricks when it comes to rolling back the contracts they've already signed. You sign a contract, you live up to the terms because it's the honorable thing to do. The Players Association is crying foul because they don't want a pay cut and they don't like how the League is refusing to meet for negotiations... but they seem to have short memories because it was the Players Association who refused to negotiate with the League last December when they wanted to get a head start on the new CBA. Gah!

I dunno... I miss watching my Wings. But I think the whole thing is stupid. I'm glad the UND Fighting Sioux (they'll always be the Fighting Sioux to me - the NCAA can pound sand) started last weekend, so at least I'll get to watch some good local hockey. But another NHL season gone? The 2nd season down the tubes in 8 years? That's just plain stupid.

Anyone else bummed about the whole thing?

~ Greg ~

[Marker]

I am sad hockey got to where it is now with so many money issues. When I went to a Wild game last year it was a great experience but $80 for the seat. The Vikings NFL ticket cost less but was slightly less close to the action. The stadium was half full (being generous here) and the seats that were mostly empty were the $80 ones.

Love hockey but when it went off national channels to obscure cable networks it flushed the sport years backwards. Now it has to find a foothold in popularity again to drive national attention. Instead it cuts a season out. Ruining sponsors and good TV spots they had to fight to get back. Bettman needs to be fired. The players don't even want to take good deals from him.

[RaizinCayne]

Im super bummed too. Having spent the last year in LA and being able to attend a few Kings games throughout their amazing run last year, I was very excited for this season. Its pretty ridiculous, neither side seems to be showing any motivation to get this fixed anytime soon. Heck, most the players are making money playing overseas now. Its a shame.

[anthem]

I'm bummed as well. I'm also siding with the owners 50-50 seemed fair, but as previously posted, they were signing players to big contracts over the summer months without a CBA, and now want to roll back the salary cap. Under the proposed 50-50, teams like the Canadiens, would be over the cap, and they didn't do any major signings in the offseason...

I read the 50-50 proposal is off the table, so it's not too promising

[Puros Y Vino]

I don't even care anymore. I'm at the point where'd I'd like to see all major sports leagues fold and get broken down to their bare bones. I'm tired of paying attention and more importantly money to "unionized" millionaires and irresponsible owners.

[GernBlansten]

Rich guys arguing with the wealthy guys....

I'm siding with the players on this one. Last go around, I sided with the owners since fundamental changes needed to made to the game. I have a REALLY hard time with owners like Craig Leipold giving the green light on the Parise/Suter deal (13yr/$96m each) only to have them five weeks later cry foul.

IMO, the league needs to contract two teams (Columbus & Phoenix) or move them to more stable markets. That would go a long way to dealing with some of the revenue sharing issues the owners have. Not sure if I'm the Moulson's or MLSE how stoked I'd be propping up the Blue Jackets.

Agreed on Bettman needing to be shown the door. This is the third lock-out under his reign. Not great for the game, though it continues to grow at a nice clip.

While I have been enjoying some college, AHL and KHL hockey when available, I am bummed that the NHL is not playing right now. Would have been fun to watch LA post SC win and the momentum the Wild picked up during the off season (BTW, they are going to be ridiculous in 2-3 years, IMHO).

[Jszeto]

OR......more NBA to watch! woohoo!

[ptrthgr8]

OR......more NBA to watch! woohoo!

Too bad basketball sucks. I mean, yeah, its a click better than soccer, but still pretty much lame. No NHL season at all is still better than the NBA. (Not a fan of the NBA in case you couldn't tell. )

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk 2.

[RaizinCayne]

Too bad basketball sucks. I mean, yeah, its a click better than soccer, but still pretty much lame. No NHL season at all is still better than the NBA. (Not a fan of the NBA in case you couldn't tell. )

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk 2.

X2 NBA is obnoxious. dribble dribble lazy shot...go the other way...dribble dribble lazy shot...rinse repeat.

[headstand]

The home town team where i live only ever plays for the last 4 minutes, so a lost season means nothing to me. The only games I care for when the corporate tickets are offered to me are when the Habs come to town. What can i say "if I bleed, do I not bleed Habs?"

Frank, you live in TO - I can understand your sentiment

[KJND]

Sioux are skating pretty tough tonight so far...

Really disappointed that the 50/50 didn't jumpstart some serious negotiations. All the NHL is doing now is driving fans away just like the last lockout.

[Pilsner14]

What to watch now..................Dancing with the stars?????????? Just like a leafs-habs game Sat nite on CBC. Not all is lost.

[khomeinist]

Side with the owners? wow.....

bettman is a joke. nuff said.....

nhl over-expanded. i agree about contracting a team or three

i will be checking out some minor league hockey after moving to Texas in a couple weeks

[GernBlansten]

i will be checking out some minor league hockey after moving to Texas in a couple weeks

For your viewing pleasure, you can finds HEAPS of talent here: http://www.aeros.com

Pay close attention to: Granlund, Coyle, Brodin and Larsson. NOT horrible!

Enjoy!

[khomeinist]

Nice man. Moving to Houston so will check em out!

[khomeinist]

One can both watch and play.....

Just because Canadian NHL teams are so embarassing.....

[LLC]

Could care less about hockey not being on, there are lots of other things to do or sports to watch.

[Jszeto]

Too bad basketball sucks. I mean, yeah, its a click better than soccer, but still pretty much lame. No NHL season at all is still better than the NBA. (Not a fan of the NBA in case you couldn't tell. )

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk 2.

X2 NBA is obnoxious. dribble dribble lazy shot...go the other way...dribble dribble lazy shot...rinse repeat.

lol you guys are brutal! To each his own. Take care

[Jszeto]

Amen. My time is too short to waste it watching any sport game for any amount of time. While I am a huge fan of the sport itself (and many others), I show it by playing as opposed to growing fat(ter) sitting and watching.

Awesome Shlomo, live life to the fullest!