Unfortunately, yes. That's the only way the fans can get back at them though. (frank)ing Bettman. Why even have hockey in markets which don't do well.
- flyerfan48

Because then you are guaranteed to have these issues arise, while maintaining the power to force the players to pay for it. The NHL is making money hand over fist...

I threatened the same thing last time.. but when it comes back.. so do the fans.
- jak521

yea like just don't buy jerseys and stuff. If you go to the games don't pay 25 dollars for a cup of fries and a beer. At least as fans we need to do something to stick it to them, if there isn't a season, the players are gonna get theirs but things I'm suggesting should inflict pain to those at blame.
- JoeRussomanno

Don't go to the games. Don't renew your season tix. Watch it in the comfort of your own home.

I'm sure a five thousand decrease in season ticket sales and nightly attendance would get their attention.

According to a source familiar with the NHLPA's proposal, "Part of the PA's proposal allows for Bettman 2 arbitrarily assign the #1 pick in the draft to a financially distressed team."
-EK

If this is indeed true...

According to a source familiar with the NHLPA's proposal, "Part of the PA's proposal allows for Bettman 2 arbitrarily assign the #1 pick in the draft to a financially distressed team."
-EK

If this is indeed true...
- jak521

i doubt it

Heres the problem...

People are calling for Bettman's head for this. ..........
Total debacle..
- jak521

And all the while, the fans knew that, eventually, a new CBA needed to be ratified. So we started paying close attention during the season like



Then we realized what might happen and were like



And once the Cup was won, we really started to strap in for both Free Agency and CBA negotiations, and we were like



And then we got sidetracked when Homer offer sheeted Weber, and everyone was like



And



But then Nashville matched and we were all like



But on the inside we were goin



And then we turned our attention back to the CBA negotiations, prepared for another lockout....all like

Don't go to the games. Don't renew your season tix. Watch it in the comfort of your own home.

I'm sure a five thousand decrease in season ticket sales and nightly attendance would get their attention.
- 77rams

Unfortunately you have people who would sell their kids to go to the games lining up to get whatever season tickets become available. Ugh, just hope the owners are visited by the ghosts of contracts past present and future to have their scrooge moment.

According to a source familiar with the NHLPA's proposal, "Part of the PA's proposal allows for Bettman 2 arbitrarily assign the #1 pick in the draft to a financially distressed team."
-EK

If this is indeed true...
- jak521

I don't doubt it's part of the proposal, but I doubt it would happen. That would open such a major can of worms so as to be disastrous.

And all the while, the fans knew that, eventually, a new CBA needed to be ratified. So we started paying close attention during the season like


- Giroux_Is_God

could have got your point across just fine with this, sir.

could have got your point across just fine with this, sir.

- JoeRussomanno

Great song....

I don't doubt it's part of the proposal, but I doubt it would happen. That would open such a major can of worms so as to be disastrous.
- bmeltzer

yeah... i don't see that the financially successful teams would be okay with never having top picks. that's ridiculous.

prediction: lockout will lead to a 60game season. A fresh Jagr, now again accustomed to NHL play with a year under his belt, will lead the league in points in the shorted season and proceed to sign a 3-year $18 million deal with the Isles.

yeah... i don't see that the financially successful teams would be okay with never having top picks. that's ridiculous.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Absolutely. And what if there's another ownership crisis in the future such as the (hopefully soon-to-be resolved) one in Phoenix, where the NHL has to take over the ownership yet the team itself is a playoff-caliber club?

According to a source familiar with the NHLPA's proposal, "Part of the PA's proposal allows for Bettman 2 arbitrarily assign the #1 pick in the draft to a financially distressed team."
-EK

If this is indeed true...
- jak521

Thats what happened in 05.

According to a source familiar with the NHLPA's proposal, "Part of the PA's proposal allows for Bettman 2 arbitrarily assign the #1 pick in the draft to a financially distressed team."
-EK

If this is indeed true...
- jak521

Like to the Yotes who went to the conference finals last season? Or to Edmonton who needs yet another #1 overall pick? Perhaps Florida who won their division's title last year?

Heck, give it to Columbus. They'd end up drafting Greg Joly anyway.

Like to the Yotes who went to the conference finals last season? Or to Edmonton who needs yet another #1 overall pick? Perhaps Florida who won their division's title last year?

Heck, give it to Columbus. They'd end up drafting Greg Joly anyway.
- 77rams

The problem would be that you could have a team be relatively successful and still get the top pick.. Imagine Nashville, Phx, Florida all in the running for the #1 pick despite being playoff teams...

It also doesnt solve ANY problem.

Thats what happened in 05.
- twotoekenn

Bettman apparently said they are close on the Revenue sharing... isn't that the big hurdle? The players already offered a paycut (they reserved the right to go back in 4 years) but they've shown they have considered it. I mean what's left? Contract size, term etc? That hasn't even been discussed by the players. We don't even know what they'd accept.

The more I read the more I see this all as just Sabre rattling. We will probably have at least part of an NHL season. (we might lose preseason) But this feels like two sides making as much noise as possible to get as much as they can by the deadline. They can't admit it because it would cost them money. So they can't tell you it'll be okay. They will be asking our forgiveness and not our permission on this.

This isn't Hockey, this is business and it's going to be very ugly so try not to watch or think about it. So hey... puppies & Kittens...

Bettman apparently said they are close on the Revenue sharing... isn't that the big hurdle? The players already offered a paycut (they reserved the right to go back in 4 years) but they've shown they have considered it. I mean what's left? Contract size, term etc? That hasn't even been discussed by the players. We don't even know what they'd accept.

The more I read the more I see this all as just Sabre rattling. We will probably have at least part of an NHL season. (we might lose preseason) But this feels like two sides making as much noise as possible to get as much as they can by the deadline. They can't admit it because it would cost them money. So they can't tell you it'll be okay. They will be asking our forgiveness and not our permission on this.

This isn't Hockey, this is business and it's going to be very ugly so try not to watch or think about it. So hey... puppies & Kittens...
- flyler

puppies are way cooler.

prediction: lockout will lead to a 60game season. A fresh Jagr, now again accustomed to NHL play with a year under his belt, will lead the league in points in the shorted season and proceed to sign a 3-year $18 million deal with the Isles.
- Crimsoninja

prediction: lockout will lead to a 60game season. A fresh Jagr, now again accustomed to NHL play with a year under his belt, will lead the league in points in the shorted season and proceed to sign a 3-year $18 million deal with the Isles.
- Crimsoninja

sorry, Crims you already invoked "book it" on there being no lockout, you're beat.

How the heck can the league just give away the number pick to a financially strapped team?

That would be like Crosby coming out in the draft and the league giving him to Pitt to save their franchise. Will never happen.

As much as I hate Buttman, I can't see the league canceling the entire season, primarily because of how big the Winter Classic has become to the league. Can't even imagine how much money that brings in, not to mention the HBO stuff and whatnot.

When it comes down to it, they will threaten as much as they want, but Buttman and co. are too greedy to pass up all that money.

People read too much into public statements made between two parties in the midst of a negotiation.

People read too much into public statements made between two parties in the midst of a negotiation.
- bradleyc4

Mr. Meltzer described it best as "sword rattling"