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You M.A.D. bro?

December 17, 2012, 12:44 PM ET [14 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Well, it had to happen. These two sides continue on their path to mutually assured destruction. The battle between the NHL and the PA went nuclear by involving the courts and first steps toward decertification, radio silence between the two sides is being maintained. All those who are surprised, please raise your hand…

Looking at this through rose-colored glasses, this is probably something that may bring this entire thing to a head. This may drive a quick solution to get this league back on the ice, similar to what happened in the NBA last season. The glass half-empty crowd will tell you it is the next step to end the season and end the charade being played out in front of an all too willing media.

As I was beginning to write this, I noted a new entry to SI.com’s Truth and Rumors page. There is a quote from Donald Fehr’s successor at the MLBPA Michael Weiner “Fehr appreciates the fan sentiment to just make a deal, but he has no intention of yielding to it. He breathes fire at the suggestion he is not acting in the best interests of hockey.” Breathes fire? Why? Fehr has no idea what the best interests of hockey are… none whatsoever... and why should he? Not to defend him, but Donald Fehr wasn’t hired to keep the best interests of hockey in mind, he was hired to get the best deal he can for his charges.

And that my friends, is one of the large problems with this whole mess. The only side with the best interest of hockey solely in mind isn’t at the table in these negotiations.

Everyone is losing at the game of chicken being played right now. The owners are losing ticket sales and other critical streams of revenue. The players will have lost at least six paychecks by the end of this year. The game day personnel, the vendors, the entertainers, the ticket takers have all lost critical pieces of their income. The businesses surrounding the arenas have lost money. The taxpayers of 30 different markets have lost money due to reduced sales tax income from tickets, merchandise, beer and food. The broadcasters in multiple countries are seeing miniscule ratings for replacement programming on their networks, instead of NHL games. The only one not losing anything here are the lawyers...

Mutually Assured Destruction... sometimes shortened to M.A.D. It was a concept of the cold war nuclear arms race that ensure that both the Soviet Union and the USA had enough warheads to destroy the other. Now it seems like the strategy the league and the PA are using. The problem with this strategy is the collateral damage being caused in communities across the league.

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The tragedy in Newtown, CT has horrified our nation. Even though my children are grown, I held them pretty tight this weekend. My heart goes out to those who have lost so much in a senseless act.

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On the next SlapShot Radio

This week’s show features Jermey Roenick, talking about his new book “J.R. My Life as the Most Outspoken, Fearless and Hard-Hitting Man in Hockey”… Todd Denault, author of “A Season in Time” and the man behind TrueHockey.com, St. Louis hockey writer, Andy Strickland… that’s all on Wednesday’s SlapShot Radio, 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network.


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