Don Fehr is not at all used to losing. Matter of fact, he has yet to lose a CBA negotiation, and he doesn't plan on losing this one either, nor does truly plan on compromising all that much. This is going to be a very long drawn out lockout. Once that dye is cast at midnight we can kiss the 2012-13 season goodbye. That is of course unless the owners and Mr. Betteman cave.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

IMO, Fehr's handling of the negotiation points to him sincerely wanting to find a way to get a deal done while sacrificing as little as possible; a perfectly understandable position. I don't think it's a matter of winning or losing for him (although for future dealings with the owners he won't want this to appear as if the players caved), to me it's about finding a workable solution.

The owners on the other hand don't seem interested in any out-of-the-box solutions. Rather, they are insisting on simply cutting into the players' share of revenue and not addressing why some teams are losing money. Are teams in unsustainable markets (i.e. Phoenix, Florida, Columbus, etc.)? Is too much of the league's revenues driven by a small number of franchises (i.e. NYR, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, etc.)? Is this model, with 30 teams in the markets they are currently, a viable model? Are there teams that are just plain victims of their own poor decision-making? The owners solution to the unworkable situation is simply to reduce how much the players are making while not considering why there are so many clubs losing money. That's short-sighted in my opinion.

I do believe the owners have the most room to maneuver and I hope they do move closer to the proposal issued by the NHLPA. The NHLPA has introduced some creative ways to lower their take of the proverbial pie and I don't think it would take much more of a give from the owners to get to make the math work. Even a reduction to a 52% share to the players represents $165 million more for the league's owners based on last season's revenues. Maybe instead of splitting that savings equally with all 30 teams, that money could go towards revenue sharing and helping the clubs that need it most.

IMO, Fehr's handling of the negotiation points to him sincerely wanting to find a way to get a deal done while sacrificing as little as possible; a perfectly understandable position. I don't think it's a matter of winning or losing for him (although for future dealings with the owners he won't want this to appear as if the players caved), to me it's about finding a workable solution.

The owners on the other hand don't seem interested in any out-of-the-box solutions. Rather, they are insisting on simply cutting into the players' share of revenue and not addressing why some teams are losing money. Are teams in unsustainable markets (i.e. Phoenix, Florida, Columbus, etc.)? Is too much of the league's revenues driven by a small number of franchises (i.e. NYR, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, etc.)? Is this model, with 30 teams in the markets they are currently, a viable model? Are there teams that are just plain victims of their own poor decision-making? The owners solution to the unworkable situation is simply to reduce how much the players are making while not considering why there are so many clubs losing money. That's short-sighted in my opinion.

I do believe the owners have the most room to maneuver and I hope they do move closer to the proposal issued by the NHLPA. The NHLPA has introduced some creative ways to lower their take of the proverbial pie and I don't think it would take much more of a give from the owners to get to make the math work. Even a reduction to a 52% share to the players represents $165 million more for the league's owners based on last season's revenues. Maybe instead of splitting that savings equally with all 30 teams, that money could go towards revenue sharing and helping the clubs that need it most.
- gkmkiller

As you have pointed out, the owners do not seem interested in a workable solution. What a shame, one wonders how Gary Betteman can look at himself in the mirror every morning, knowing he's just a piss boy for a bunch of rich losers.

Don Fehr is not at all used to losing. Matter of fact, he has yet to lose a CBA negotiation, and he doesn't plan on losing this one either, nor does truly plan on compromising all that much. This is going to be a very long drawn out lockout. Once that dye is cast at midnight we can kiss the 2012-13 season goodbye. That is of course unless the owners and Mr. Betteman cave.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I'm very surprised Sather didn't lock up McDonagh long term before today's deadline. Then again, that's not his style.

- evitageN

Mismanagement according to who? He works for the owners and I think they like him just fine.

However us fans read between the bullpoop, and we hate that twitchy fcktard.

Mismanagement according to who? He works for the owners and I think they like him just fine.

However us fans read between the bullpoop, and we hate that twitchy fcktard.
- aecliptic

Piss boy!

I'm very surprised Sather didn't lock up McDonagh long term before today's deadline. Then again, that's not his style.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

That and perhaps they checked in with McD's reps but didn't get very far. I have no doubt the Rangers love him and will do everything they can to keep him long term.

That and perhaps they checked in with McD's reps but didn't get very far. I have no doubt the Rangers love him and will do everything they can to keep him long term.
- gkmkiller

Man I hope so, he hasn't even scratched the surface of how good he is going to be.

Mismanagement according to who? He works for the owners and I think they like him just fine.

However us fans read between the bullpoop, and we hate that twitchy fcktard.
- aecliptic

Sorry guys these are too good

- evitageN

Im on board for that.

I just don't see this being a short lockout....the earliest this year starts is the winter classic which sucks. Everything positive this sport has just gained over the last few years has been thrown out in the public eye. I really hope the two sides enjoy whatever millions they are fighting over. If the league was losing crazy money then i could maybe understand fighting for more. But no need to lockout during this negotiation. Just dumb, pointless, franking idiots.

I just don't see this being a short lockout....the earliest this year starts is the winter classic which sucks. Everything positive this sport has just gained over the last few years has been thrown out in the public eye. I really hope the two sides enjoy whatever millions they are fighting over. If the league was losing crazy money then i could maybe understand fighting for more. But no need to lockout during this negotiation. Just dumb, pointless, franking idiots.
- TPC

[quote=evitageN]
haha I like the FB profile pick Nick....if only life was that sweet

Jan Levine: Caps Sign Carlson, McDonagh not MDZ Needs to Be Main Focus
Time to lock up the Mac Truck long-term
- airjan23

We all believe that McDonagh has the possible ability to morph into Shea Weber, and at worse, be Ryan Suter.


That is the most ambitious/generous prediction I've heard in a while for any player in any sport. And that's not a knock on Ryan. He is a very good, young defenseman. It's a knock on Jan. Or, could Joe Micheletti possibly be writing this blog?
That would be forecasting him to be better than Mark Staal. I don't think that's realistic. But I agree, he's priority way over MDZ....who for all the hype is not going to pan out to current expectations as a a Ranger. Kinda reminds me of Scott Lachance w/ the Isles a ways back.

But here's something we all agree on.... F U Bettman for allowing the greedy owners to screw the slightly less greedy players. This is gonna suck, any way you slice it.

Welcome to the lockout everybody....you can thank Bettman for this

Sorry guys these are too good


- evitageN

Welcome to the lockout everybody....you can thank Bettman for this
- TPC

An absolute disgarce.

KevinMcGran@kevin_mcGran
hearing layoffs are coming to #NHL offices starting Monday


MichaelRusso@Russostrib
As for #mnwild, no layoffs imminent but a transition plan will be announced Monday; 500+ arena workers won't be paid as games are cancelled


It has officially started now. Not only are us fans getting screwed but those who are just trying to support their families are about to be fired. I knew this was gonna come but now that I see it, it pisses me off even more. This unnecessary lockout is about to ruin the lives of some people. Frank the NHL.

KevinMcGran@kevin_mcGran
hearing layoffs are coming to #NHL offices starting Monday


MichaelRusso@Russostrib
As for #mnwild, no layoffs imminent but a transition plan will be announced Monday; 500+ arena workers won't be paid as games are cancelled


It has officially started now. Not only are us fans getting screwed but those who are just trying to support their families are about to be fired. I knew this was gonna come but now that I see it, it pisses me off even more. This unnecessary lockout is about to ruin the lives of some people. Frank the NHL.
- TPC

the teams are getting the money from the television contract this year whether they play or not, so why layoff office workers?

I swear, anyone taking the owners side in this are complete fools.

Teams scrambling to sign players to deals on friday under the old CBA rules when they claim the old CBA isn't working anymore.

It's such a crock of freaking shiiiiiiit, it really is.

the teams are getting the money from the television contract this year whether they play or not, so why layoff office workers?

I swear, anyone taking the owners side in this are complete fools.

Teams scrambling to sign players to deals on friday under the old CBA rules when they claim the old CBA isn't working anymore.

It's such a crock of freaking shiiiiiiit, it really is.
- jimbro83

Agreed Jimbo...all I can do now is shake my head

Agreed Jimbo...all I can do now is shake my head
- TPC

X2

I posted this on another blog but ill post it here too.

If they (the leauge and the PA) were really genuine, they would have sat ina room all day yesterday trying to make some progress. Dont piss on me and tell me its raining. The nhl wants what they want and they dont care how long it takes for them
To get it. Same thing for the players. All bullpoop.

I dont care who is right and who is wrong, i just want hockey back. Once both sides understand that the spin game is a waste of time, maybe we'll get a new CBA.

the teams are getting the money from the television contract this year whether they play or not, so why layoff office workers?

I swear, anyone taking the owners side in this are complete fools.

Teams scrambling to sign players to deals on friday under the old CBA rules when they claim the old CBA isn't working anymore.

It's such a crock of freaking shiiiiiiit, it really is.
- jimbro83

Because the teams only get between $5MM and $6MM per team from the TV contract. That's a drop in the bucket when compared to revenues generated from ticket sales. The average ticket price in the NHL is somewhere around $60 each if I recall correctly. Calculating a 90% attendance figure at each game then the average team pulls in roughly $1 million per home game. That doesn't count sponsorship money, concessions, parking, etc. Although I've noticed that the NHL teams are not refunding season ticket money. They will simply issue credits for games lost with a small percentage tacked on.

We all believe that McDonagh has the possible ability to morph into Shea Weber, and at worse, be Ryan Suter.


That is the most ambitious/generous prediction I've heard in a while for any player in any sport. And that's not a knock on Ryan. He is a very good, young defenseman. It's a knock on Jan. Or, could Joe Micheletti possibly be writing this blog?
That would be forecasting him to be better than Mark Staal. I don't think that's realistic. But I agree, he's priority way over MDZ....who for all the hype is not going to pan out to current expectations as a a Ranger. Kinda reminds me of Scott Lachance w/ the Isles a ways back.

But here's something we all agree on.... F U Bettman for allowing the greedy owners to screw the slightly less greedy players. This is gonna suck, any way you slice it.
- jmo16

As people who watch the Rangers everyday we actually believe McDonagh is better than Staal right now. He's younger, is a better skater and has more offensive ability than Staal. Maybe the Weber consideration is a bit of a stretch but not the Suter one. Hell, THN just ranked McD as the 7th best D in the NHL right now. It's also easy to forget that he is just 22.

We all believe that McDonagh has the possible ability to morph into Shea Weber, and at worse, be Ryan Suter.


That is the most ambitious/generous prediction I've heard in a while for any player in any sport. And that's not a knock on Ryan. He is a very good, young defenseman. It's a knock on Jan. Or, could Joe Micheletti possibly be writing this blog?
That would be forecasting him to be better than Mark Staal. I don't think that's realistic.
- jmo16

well, the current issue of the Hockey News ranks Ryan McDonagh as the 7th best defenseman in the league. Ahead of any other Rangers defenseman and that includes Marc Staal.

Additionally, in the top 50 players in the NHL, they ranked Ryan McDonagh #36 overall.