Eklund: POLL: Do You still Care about this NHL Season? + For/Against Mayers?
- Eklund

what university did you minor in psychology at?

Hey Jamal, if things are so bad for you why don't the players quit en-masse (sp?) and form their own league and assume all of the financial responsibilities. My wife and 4 other employees did just this when their boss at the time said they couldn't afford to pay them any more.
If this is not an option then STFU!!!! You play like sh!t for weeks at a time and still collect a check yet when attendance drops because of your sh!tty play who takes the hit? Not you and your guaranteed contract.

Agreed. If they want to play, I'll watch. If they dont, then I dont care.


Mayers? Idiot. How does some guy who is in the top 1% of earners in either country expect us to feel sorry for him?
- Buffalo--Sabres

He won't be a top earner next season. If this season is canceled, his NHL career will be over.

Ek, as much as I, and most readers, appreciate your efforts and this website, If your going to do a poll, and relay the results to the owners and players, our choices should be more in depth and comprehensive. I see nothing in the poll that gives me the ability to voice displeasure towards the owners. The fans need a REAL voice, and kudos to you if you can help that happen. If the poll was more non-biased etc., i would use ALL of my social media accounts, to direct ALL of my hockey loving friends to this poll. If a thousand of us did that, well, can you say viral ? Just a thought.

Exactaly. We like hockey, not necessarily the NHL, but hockey. Hockey still exists without the NHL.
- Buffalo--Sabres

nope. it's the NHL for me. it's the best and everything else is 2nd rate. i like to play hockey and watch NHL hockey.

Anyone who says they don't want a season yet still come to a hockey blog daily is a liar.
- AceRatbang

I disagree. We can be fed up with it and decide to not spend our money on it but that doesn't mean we don't still like the game.

And as far as I'm concerned they can just go ahead and cancel the season now. A partial season (as in 95) is a joke. Even more of a joke than the shootout.

Anyone who says they don't want a season yet still come to a hockey blog daily is a liar.

Secondly, can someone tell Jamal that if he and his union dig in and miss a season that his career will likely be over? This is a guy in the twilight of his career who was benched in the playoffs last year. He doesn't have much left.
- AceRatbang

Sorry but I don't care if they play again. I watch AHL hockey and Div 1 College hockey and it's good enough for me. If they do start up the NHL, I'm not supporting them anytime soon.

As far as this site. Yeah I come to this site, but not for any hockey insight or any meaningful information. I come here for the entertainment that Ek and the commentators provide. If I wanted anything hockey related that meant something I wouldn't come here.

Anyone who says they don't want a season yet still come to a hockey blog daily is a liar.

Secondly, can someone tell Jamal that if he and his union dig in and miss a season that his career will likely be over? This is a guy in the twilight of his career who was benched in the playoffs last year. He doesn't have much left.
- AceRatbang

some people, like Jamal, must not be as short-sighted as you. The players conceded in the last cba, they've already conceded all around in their proposals for this cba, they know the owners are just going to ask for more next cba. People who want them to just roll over and take what they get seem to hate that the players get paid what they do, but will take the side of the super-rich owners?

I'm all for players getting paid less. It's a sport. Sports are pretty much meaningless in the real world, they shouldn't be seeing that kind of profit. In no way do I believe that the players should receive less so that the owners can get more however.

I'd love for the value of the league to deflate and make ticket prices reasonable.

Hey Jamal, if things are so bad for you why don't the players quit en-masse (sp?) and form their own league and assume all of the financial responsibilities. My wife and 4 other employees did just this when their boss at the time said they couldn't afford to pay them any more.
If this is not an option then STFU!!!! You play like sh!t for weeks at a time and still collect a check yet when attendance drops because of your sh!tty play who takes the hit? Not you and your guaranteed contract.
- duxcup07

Here f'n here!!
I'd love to see the NHLPA hold a secret vote of all its members, with no reprecussions and see how sure all players are willing to dig in. I'd be willing to bet its a hell of allot closer to 50-50 to sign a deal now!... sa

what university did you minor in psychology at?
- rob121

*protect myself from being hurt*

I care about my family, friends and business colleagues.

The NHL?

Hey Jamal, if things are so bad for you why don't the players quit en-masse (sp?) and form their own league and assume all of the financial responsibilities. My wife and 4 other employees did just this when their boss at the time said they couldn't afford to pay them any more.
If this is not an option then STFU!!!! You play like sh!t for weeks at a time and still collect a check yet when attendance drops because of your sh!tty play who takes the hit? Not you and your guaranteed contract.
- duxcup07

B-I-N-G-O!!!

I'm so (frank)ing sick of hearing Fehr and the players saying that "we've making all of the concessions" and "we're the one's have moved from our original position towards 'the middle'," while they all sit on fat guaranteed contracts, are set for life in they're 20's and accept ZERO of the risk, downside and operating costs that the owners do.

The players don't care about the health and stability of the league, all they care about are the number of 0's in their bank account.

A career 3rd/4th liner that still knocks back a cool $650k expects to generate an ounce of sympathy ?? REALLY ?

Go to hell Jamal and NHLPA..

B-I-N-G-O!!!

I'm so (frank)ing sick of hearing Fehr and the players saying that "we've making all of the concessions" and "we're the one's have moved from our original position towards 'the middle'," while they all sit on fat guaranteed contracts, are set for life in they're 20's and accept ZERO of the risk, downside and operating costs that the owners do.

The players don't care about the health and stability of the league, all they care about are the number of 0's in their bank account.
- As_I_See_It

The owners may be billionaires, but how much are they actually making off of hockey?

Most are losing significant amounts of money on their teams, and of the teams that are profitable, 6 make less than some hockey players.

A career 3rd/4th liner WHO IS WAY PAST HIS "PRIME" that still knocks back a cool $650k expects to generate an ounce of sympathy ?? REALLY ?

Go to hell Jamal and NHLPA..
- Pairo11

Fixed

B-I-N-G-O!!!

I'm so (frank)ing sick of hearing Fehr and the players saying that "we've making all of the concessions" and "we're the one's have moved from our original position towards 'the middle'," while they all sit on fat guaranteed contracts, are set for life in they're 20's and accept ZERO of the risk, downside and operating costs that the owners do.

The players don't care about the health and stability of the league, all they care about are the number of 0's in their bank account.
- As_I_See_It

Exactly ! The owners ponied up all the cash and took on all the risk. They're simply trying to earn off their investment. I don't like how they make money off of me and I hate how they sign players to ridiculous contracts but I do support their argument.

Eff The Sen's and thd NHLPA !!

A career 3rd/4th liner that still knocks back a cool $650k expects to generate an ounce of sympathy ?? REALLY ?

Go to hell Jamal and NHLPA..
- Pairo11

I really hope the NHL takes 2 years off so that I can see what Miller and Crosby and all the other rich guys do without some income for a while. Maybe playing for 10% less isnt such a bad deal when you have lost 10-15 Million of your earning potential FOREVER! Effing idiots - I have to go to work every (frank)ing day, and they are female doging about making 10% less?? (frank) every single one of them.

The owners may be billionaires, but how much are they actually making off of hockey?

Most are losing significant amounts of money on their teams, and of the teams that are profitable, 6 make less than some hockey players.
- Feeling Glucky?

And why is that?

See any issues with the current business model and why it needs to change?

some people, like Jamal, must not be as short-sighted as you. The players conceded in the last cba, they've already conceded all around in their proposals for this cba, they know the owners are just going to ask for more next cba. People who want them to just roll over and take what they get seem to hate that the players get paid what they do, but will take the side of the super-rich owners?

I'm all for players getting paid less. It's a sport. Sports are pretty much meaningless in the real world, they shouldn't be seeing that kind of profit. In no way do I believe that the players should receive less so that the owners can get more however.

I'd love for the value of the league to deflate and make ticket prices reasonable.
- Blue Clam

Absolutely agree. I don't "like" the fact the players make the money they do, unfortunately that is a fact in modern day sports. However, for the players to just "give in" to the owners in a sport that WAS growing is just plain wrong. Greed, greed, and greed.

Both sides should work TOGETHER knowing that both sides will make plenty of money WHEN they play. However, the NHL hasn't taken that tactic in negotiations and the players, led by Fehr, have dug in "protecting" themselves. The simple fact Bettman and the NHL didn't recognize that Fehr was across the table and not Goodenow is one of the signle worst oversights and for that matter mistakes I can comprehend from a commissioner.

Exactly ! The owners ponied up all the cash and took on all the risk. They're simply trying to earn off their investment. I don't like how they make money off of me and I hate how they sign players to ridiculous contracts but I do support their argument.

Eff The Sen's and thd NHLPA !!
- Pairo11

twice

The owners may be billionaires, but how much are they actually making off of hockey?

Most are losing significant amounts of money on their teams, and of the teams that are profitable, 6 make less than some hockey players.
- Feeling Glucky?

Um, it's their own fault that they're crappy businessmen.

Its done over and we will never speak of it again!!!
NFL is a sport that Im getting to know, and I like it..

To be honest I've giving up caring. Check in from time to time but no longer sit on the edge of my seat waiting for puck to drop. Also feel that all the people chosing the I can't feel bad for players making so much blah blah blah. Really are not putting themselves in the same scenario or just flat out can't see it's a not about the money, its pride, its not wanting to be abused whipping boys of the league.

Sure they make great money and can survive just fine by conceeding it all, but ask yourself would you? Let's say you work for a company and make a nice $80,000 a year. Your not struggling to pay bills and get along just fine. Your company has had record sales and growth. Yet come your review you are told they are decreasing your salary to $78,000 a year and are removing the dental plan from ur benefits. Now ur not going to be out on streets and will still make enough to pay your bills. Do you not protest at all? Be honest with yourself.

Now let's say u take it as it is and when you are up for your next review and the company has grown even further due to your performance. And they tell you the are going to have to move you down to $76,000 a year and they are also now removing the drug plan. Is this not when u dig in and try to fight just to prove there are consequences when the owners try to take what you don't feel is neccessary?

Bottom line is regardless of the dollars involved people are mistaken, players aren't striking to get more money. They are locked out and told they won't get back in until they agree to bend over. Its pride, no one likes to be taken advantage of. The players feel if they crumble then league will just take more next cba, rinse and repeat! Its more black mail then negotiation at this point

I've given up on this year and sadly I'm ok with that. As I feel bettman and the owners have given nothing to the players when compared to last cba. The only battle players have won is revenue sharing, basically won a battle for the smaller owners not the players at all.

Anyone who knows business, if you have a contract up for renewal, if something is taken away from one side its reasonable to expect compensation for what is loss in other ways be it contracting rights or pensions... But there has to be some pro's to signing a new deal not just cons!

People blaming players are being selfish because they want hockey they demand players suck it up and bend over for the owners. But please ask yourself would you?

Absolutely agree. I don't "like" the fact the players make the money they do, unfortunately that is a fact in modern day sports. However, for the players to just "give in" to the owners in a sport that WAS growing is just plain wrong. Greed, greed, and greed.

Both sides should work TOGETHER knowing that both sides will make plenty of money WHEN they play. However, the NHL hasn't taken that tactic in negotiations and the players, led by Fehr, have dug in "protecting" themselves. The simple fact Bettman and the NHL didn't recognize that Fehr was across the table and not Goodenow is one of the signle worst oversights and for that matter mistakes I can comprehend from a commissioner.
- uf1910

disagree - the owners knew they were dealing with Fehr - and they are now digging in and until the NHLPA comes up with a reasonable plan to get to 50/50 - they will tell the NHLPA to pound sand until they get what they want - and here we are with players whining and moaning. I would love to see them decertify - because they would lose their asses trying to fight that battle...

Exactly ! The owners ponied up all the cash and took on all the risk. They're simply trying to earn off their investment. I don't like how they make money off of me and I hate how they sign players to ridiculous contracts but I do support their argument.

Eff The Sen's and thd NHLPA !!
- Pairo11

Maybe the owners should have a little chit-chat with their GMs and ask them why they hand out insane contracts.

The owners' wounds are self-inflicted.