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On an Isle by Themselves

October 25, 2012, 12:09 PM ET [5 Comments]
Tim Panaccio
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Every time you think you've seen it all in terms of NHL Bizarre, it gets Trumped.

Not by the Donald, but by The Commish, Gary Bettman.

There are two ways to view Wednesday's stunning announcement that the New York Islanders were bolting Nassau County for Brooklyn.

One, is to see it as "positive" news during what has become the league's third shutdown with Bettman. It's a necessary distraction from all the angst and bad publicity this lockout has brought.

The other way is to view it ... as insane.

I can't think of any other professional league that would announce a franchise transfer in the middle of a lockout the day before it had given a deadline to find a new CBA or the full 82-game schedule simply wouldn't be played.

Which evokes the "Only in the NHL" response from me.

I found it totally insane. And unexpected. Both of which nicely sum up the NHL Lockout, if you think about it.

Today, I don't expect much rhetoric. Deputy commish Bill Daly told me it was entirely likely the deadline will pass without comment from the league.

Donald Fehr told me earlier in the week that if the league commented, the union would likely follow suit. If not ... who knows.

Fehr thinks this latest "deadline" is pure bullwinkle and there's still time next week.

Me? I think on FRIDAY, the NHL cancels a large chunk of games and announces the Winter Classic is 7-10 days away from being shelved, as well.

I said a while ago, I felt it may take both sides to lose the Winter Classic to bring everyone back to the table for continuous talks and get a deal done.

And I still think that is where we're headed.


Here's a ton of NHL Lockout stuff on CSNPhilly.com plus today's morning update as to where we stand:

click here
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