Did he get in another bar brawl ?
- Maximum Signal

Laziness and his heart in question

He says, on the hockey message board
- Aldred15

just cancel it for crying out loud.

Says the guy blogging from his moms basement since 07
- MCGUIZZY

for the record i've been here since 04. ask Ek.

Owners tying the bump in "make whole" to players accepting a 10 year deal, 5 year limits on contracts and controlling year to year varaiances...sounds like this is the extra blood they are trying to squeeze...the optimism meter is going to fall sharply to the left b/c I think the players walk especially with the two clowns back in the fold...

Owners tying the bump in "make whole" to players accepting a 10 year deal, 5 year limits on contracts and controlling year to year varaiances...sounds like this is the extra blood they are trying to squeeze...the optimism meter is going to fall sharply to the left b/c I think the players walk especially with the two clowns back in the fold...
- Blueshirts4ever

yup. it's over.

for the record i've been here since 04. ask Ek.
- Fountain-San

I'll vouche for you, Fountain was the old dog on the block nerding it up with Gertz and Stormey about strek trek conventions when this site started.

Owners tying the bump in "make whole" to players accepting a 10 year deal, 5 year limits on contracts and controlling year to year varaiances...sounds like this is the extra blood they are trying to squeeze...the optimism meter is going to fall sharply to the left b/c I think the players walk especially with the two clowns back in the fold...
- Blueshirts4ever

I think the talks have passed this point. They have had way to many constructive conversations without these 2, and I don't see anyone going back on their word. They are TOO close for a deal not to happen, and unlike 04-05 there are no issues similar to a Salary Cap which are the big elephant in the room. Merely a matter of meeting half way on the $$$

they did. into the attic like Greg Brady.
- Fountain-San

Or Anne Frank....

yup. it's over.
- Fountain-San

THEN WHY NOT JUST LEAVING??? GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!

You may be an icicle before this gets started again... better start the Q up..
- bixll

I gotta be honest beers are not gonna make it pass tonite .

Just cancel the (frank)ing season already!

Owners tying the bump in "make whole" to players accepting a 10 year deal, 5 year limits on contracts and controlling year to year varaiances...sounds like this is the extra blood they are trying to squeeze...the optimism meter is going to fall sharply to the left b/c I think the players walk especially with the two clowns back in the fold...
- Blueshirts4ever

I can see the players balking on the 5 year term limit. I really don't know why the NHL needs that in there. The 5% variance takes care of the back diving contracts they want to eliminate.

Or Anne Frank....
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah and How did that work out??

I'll vouche for you, Fountain was the old dog on the block nerding it up with Gertz and Stormey about strek trek conventions when this site started.
- Oilhab

those were the days.

Or Anne Frank....
- Giroux_Is_God

come on man. too soon.

Yeah and How did that work out??
- Flyers_1488

Hmmm. you should steer clear of this.

well it confirmed the season is cancelled Bettman and Fehr are back at the table........ face to face

well Ill definitely be back if they start up (watching that is) but I still feel somehow this will blow up and not get doene. Don't trust any of them

(UPDATE 10:59 AM) @Real_ESPNLeBrun: Reports from outside of boardroom confirm Bettman removed his belt from his pants and began to swing it wildly at Fehr...all a part of the process.

According to Bob McKenzie on Twitter, "@TSNBobMcKenzie: PA doesn't like 5 yr term limits on contracts or 10 yr term of CBA or fact that Make Whole bump to $300M is tied to accepting 10 yr CBA."

I don't get it. Why would players not want a long term CBA deal? If there's another CBA in 5 years, it's not the players who are going on Strike, it will be another lock out. So players will lose again.

I think it's Fehr wanting something to do in 5 years as he knows in 10 years he will be retired.

It is problematic for Don Fehr and Gary Bettman to be anywhere near the negotiation process. It would be best for all involved if the agreement was a fait accomplit prior to Fehr & Bettman's involvement.

What has been made clear to me in the last three days is that both Mr Bettman and Mr Fehr were the roadblocks in the negotiations. They were both way too interested in posturing versus actually working toward a substantive conclusion to the new CBA. As such, I believe that both of these parties have seriously injured their positions. It would not surprise me if Gary Bettman were to be quietly sacked and sent on his way, without too much fanfare. Similarly, Don Fehr has proved that his understanding of Hockey and the players is lacking. It would similarly not surprise me if Donald Fehr were to quietly resign or be terminated. As I said, I can lay a lot of blame at the doorstep of these two individuals, because, in the end their form of negotiation was not about the game.

It would interest me to discover exactly what happened in the NHL offices prior to the announcement that a group of owners was to meet a group of players for negotiations. I believe that Mr Bettman lost his supporters and was told to step aside. We will see the fallout of this process either following the beginning of the season or shortly following the NHL Awards following the Stanley Cup.
- teppy1954

Cmon dude. Really? Bettman aint going anywhere. He did exactly what he had to do. It was pretty obvious the day the NHLPA hired Fehr well over a year ago that this was going to be a brawl & the players wanted blood because for some reason their perception was they got bent over pretty bad in 2004. In reality they didnt, but one thing I have learned in business over the years, perception is reality. This negotiation was a game & it took two to play.

well it confirmed the season is cancelled Bettman and Fehr are back at the table........ face to face
- Alexzanki

I doubt it. If things go sour due to Bettman and Fehr rejoining negotiations, the players and owners can just kick them out again. I think now that they've tasted real progress something is bound to get done.

Can we get a Ek-Dreger hug photo while your there?

WHOOOOOOOAAAAooooooooooaaaaaaa
OOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAooooooooooaaaaaaaaOOOOOOOAAAAAAA.



Lovin this ride.

Can we get a Ek-Dreger hug photo while your there?
- PuckingOpinion

Get HockeyyInsiderr in there and make it a group hug