Didn't someone else post that the NHL pays a fixed 100,000 penalty (or lost deposit) if they cancel by Friday, but after that it will cost them more to back out?
- Aetherial

I talked to a guy who talked to a guy (yes, let's put an E1 on it) that said apparently the NHL has a $3 million penalty coming up if they cancel, so that's what is driving this deadline.

As I said, put an E1 on it.

@FriedgeHNIC's 30 Thoughts he says the teams driving the lockout are BOS, ANA, CLB, FLA, NYI, PHX, STL, WSH and DAL.


we could do without most of those teams.....lets just move forward without them
- Barx

I'd miss maybe...three of those teams.

jacobs hand is buried so far up bettmans vagina, you can see his fingers when bettman speaks
- Barx

Pretty sure this is an example of Jacobs and Bettman

Because I think a workable deal with the players is there, that would work for everyone.. or all but a few. Whether those few franchises should even exist is a whole nother question.

At this point, the divide seems to me to be much more about ego than about finances.
- Aetherial

What you say make sense but you don't want to watch hockey. Is it because of the Leafs never make the playoffs and want to have 1st overall pick?

Pretty sure this is an example of Jacobs and Bettman
- uf1910

Bettman looks decidedly disappointed at the size of Jacobs' hand

What you say make sense but you don't want to watch hockey. Is it because of the Leafs never make the playoffs and want to have 1st overall pick?
- SPIDEROCKSTAR

Actually, it might have something to do with the Leaf being perpetually bad. I just find I don't miss it all that much.

If the greedy players would just accept the NHL's offer, we'd be back playing, now wouldn't we??

When are the players going to learn, they will NOT win this battle & unless Fehr(who won't even be around in 2yrs) backs off his demands, nothing will happen.

Remember people, it was the NHL who first contacted the NHLPA last December to ignite talks so this wouldn't happen but remember what Fehr said - i have to examine all the policies and learn everything before i can sit down. Wow, even the summer time wasn't early enough because Fehr didn't want to talk then as well.

So all you people complaining about Bettman and it's his fault seem to forget just who wanted to start talks last december already.

I hope 5 seasons are lost, teach those greedy, whining players(who are taking jobs away by playing in Europe) to shutup & play the game & not female dog about making millions a year or at the very least, 500k/yr. WOW!!

I talked to a guy who talked to a guy (yes, let's put an E1 on it) that said apparently the NHL has a $3 million penalty coming up if they cancel, so that's what is driving this deadline.

As I said, put an E1 on it.
- Atomic Wedgie

According to an executed copy of the league's contract with the University of Michigan, as available in full on AnnArbor.com, the NHL has already paid $100,000 toward the $3 million venue rental fee.

Another $250,000 is due Friday. Another $1 million is due on Dec. 1, when the league would be given the keys to begin building the rink. A big chunk of the remainder is due on Dec. 28, just a few days before the Jan. 1 puck-drop, with some still due on Jan. 18.

According to the contract, the NHL can cancel the Winter Classic up until the day of the event, pretty much without penalty. With the exception of the $100,000 paid up front, every dollar toward the venue rental fee is refundable.

-some Philly newspaper source

Sure seems like they could afford to wait a bit longer and pay the pocket change deposits.

I imagine the primary motivation is to take it off the table as a "threat" being held over the league's heads.

Bettman looks decidedly disappointed at the size of Jacobs' hand
- Aetherial

But on the other side of the token, Jacobs looks quite pleased

Serious question, are you a stay at home mom, or just unemployed?

I really am blown away and not only how automatic you are for getting back to this little hecklefest's every couple hours.. But how much excitement you gain from it?

You're most likely nothing more than a government tax dollar sponge living a dream that could never be lived in the real world.. Being a keyboard warrior. Gotta feel big somewhere hey pal?

Other than that, I nailed it. You're about as irrelevant as one can get. You seriously lack content, even as far as the Internet pissing match goes. Your schtick is garbage, and has been done many times. Get a life, make some use of yourself.. And go get some sunlight. Useless!
- Atomic Wedgie

All of the above

But on the other side of the token, Jacobs looks quite pleased
- uf1910

Jacobs looks like the guy who didn't like my friend and I accidentally encroaching on his lawn.

All of the above
- Symba007

and you have the Cleveland Steamers crest on your head

I'd miss maybe...three of those teams.
- Scruffton

yeah, I said 3 also. Boston, St. Louis and Washington for me, *maybe* the Islanders instead of St. Lou or Washington.

and you have the Cleveland Steamers crest on your head
- Aetherial

Yes

I'd miss maybe...three of those teams.
- Scruffton

I hate to sound like a bastard*, but from a purely personal perspective, they could contract the league by 9 teams, and it wouldn't affect me at all.

I'd still get 82 Leafs games a year.

*Let's be honest, I love sounding like a bastard.

Sure seems like they could afford to wait a bit longer and pay the pocket change deposits.

I imagine the primary motivation is to take it off the table as a "threat" being held over the league's heads.
- Aetherial

According to the friend of a friend, it wasn't the contract with Michigan.

It was more to do with promotional rights.

Yeah, I realize it's terribly vague.

But on a somewhat related and funny note, I was on the NHL website today, and the banner ad on the home page is running an Oh Henry! promotion where you can win a trip for four to the NHL experience of your choice: Winter Classic, All-Star Game or NHL Awards Ceremony.

Hilariously, they don't put a date on any of those events.

For me personally the best part of the winter classic is the road to the classic tv series, which shows the players/coaches/dressing rooms in a real life perspective for games leading up to the classic.
This could not happen now anyway.

At this point I much prefer they cancel the classic and postpone Toronto-Detroit until next year. That way we'll get to see the road to the classic series with the leafs involved.

Pretty sure this is an example of Jacobs and Bettman
- uf1910

The Panthers have averaged a .19 local TV rating, placing them last of the 22 teams studied by the Sports Business Daily. Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald took things a step farther and learned that the Panthers, who average around 3,000 viewers per game, are watched less than infomercials for the AbCoaster, and Ninja Professional Blender, Chopper and Ice Crusher. Now that’s sad.

Didn't someone else post that the NHL pays a fixed 100,000 penalty (or lost deposit) if they cancel by Friday, but after that it will cost them more to back out?
- Aetherial

Yeah, not much up front for now.

But like I said, I'd rather see them cancel it now for those people who got tickets and are planning to travel to the game from far distances, hopefully allowing those folks to get their cash back (or at least most of it via vouchers).

I hate to sound like a bastard*, but from a purely personal perspective, they could contract the league by 9 teams, and it wouldn't affect me at all.

I'd still get 82 Leafs games a year.

*Let's be honest, I love sounding like a bastard.
- Atomic Wedgie

But that would be 9 less excuses for the Leafs not winning the cup again, let alone, making the playoffs!

The Panthers have averaged a .19 local TV rating, placing them last of the 22 teams studied by the Sports Business Daily. Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald took things a step farther and learned that the Panthers, who average around 3,000 viewers per game, are watched less than infomercials for the AbCoaster, and Ninja Professional Blender, Chopper and Ice Crusher. Now that’s sad.
- billyberg10

In fairness, Vince is pretty damn entertaining.

Unfortunately, I agree that that is his perspective. I know we can't really argue with the idea that there is not much room for growth of the sport in Canada.

Still, a lot of Canadians feel like it is "our" game, and I think an outdoor game, if you are going to make it annual, should be in Canada.
- Aetherial

That is such a Canadian-Centric thing to say.


I don't mean of offend Candians, but from the comments I have read on here over the years, it seems to me Canadians would be perfectly happy dropping every American team from the league, and playing for the Stanley cup with just 10 Canadian teams. In fact it seems that Montreal fans, Toronto fans and others wouldn't mind of they played and empty schedule and were awarded the Stanley cup in june. I feel the parade would be just as huge.

That is such a Canadian-Centric thing to say.


I don't mean of offend Candians, but from the comments I have read on here over the years, it seems to me Canadians would be perfectly happy dropping every American team from the league, and playing for the Stanley cup with just 10 Canadian teams. In fact it seems that Montreal fans, Toronto fans and others wouldn't mind of they played and empty schedule and were awarded the Stanley cup in june. I feel the parade would be just as huge.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Not true, most would like to see Chicago, Detroit, Boston and the NYR stick around.

The others...meh.

I don't mean of offend Candians, but from the comments I have read on here over the years, it seems to me Canadians would be perfectly happy dropping every American team from the league, and playing for the Stanley cup with just 10 Canadian teams.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Not true.
Not to offend BUffallo fans, but most want Original 6 + extra canadian teams.
We're just sick of season smaller non hockey markets dictating our game.

It's the equivalent of Toronto, Baltimore and Tampa dictating the next Baseball CBA to make sure we are competetive. How would that go over in NYC and Boston? They would say just contract the league and get rid of the smaller non baseball markets.