win-win
- braidan

And Ek gets to watch...

Win-Win-Win

I really think the old optimism meter should be at the "no progress" mark.
I Don't see any progress right now. If anything things have been going backwards for the last week.

I really think the old optimism meter should be at the "no progress" mark.
I Don't see any progress right now. If anything things have been going backwards for the last week.
- B-Wforever

I'd argue that this is one of the first times it should be beyond 'no progress'.

Last week was really good, so long as the NHL stands at its $300M make-whole, which I suspect is the case.

Prior to mid/late November -- it's been a lot of bullshit, really.

Didn't owners pull all off the table? Hard for NHLPA to say no then back a week later and say yes...

Aside from that, I've talked with some fellow NHL season ticket holders that have discussed disputing their season's payment with their credit card companies (as many are so disgusted with the entire situation)... Has anyone else heard of this?
I'm sure it would be a battle to keep the rights to your seats as well.

No. That's more an east coast thing, I think.
- stormey

San-Fran is west coast.

I'd argue that this is one of the first times it should be beyond 'no progress'.

Last week was really good, so long as the NHL stands at its $300M make-whole, which I suspect is the case.

Prior to mid/late November -- it's been a lot of bullshit, really.
- Travis Yost

your blog is bang on Travis. i have been saying since the beginnning that this thing is follwoing a script to the 11th hour and barring something unforseen, this thing will be settled at the last minute. i stick by that. and really, as much as i hate Fehr, can you blame him? he's going to end up with the best deal he could have gotten the players.

the only way this doesn't go down is if there are just a group of players simply intent on getting rid of Bettman controlling the union and controlled by Fehr. that's the conspiract theorist in me.

The Bett Cave.


- stinger67

I see what you did there

It was 20 years ago today that Gary Bettman was appointed commissioner of the NHL.

What does Original Six have to do with anything in this? My point was a fan of a team that has made the playoffs once in it's existance might not want to be throwing stones.

Regardless....you told me. Keep on protecting the Internet my friend. You're doing a hell of a job at it.
- stormey

What does it have to do with it? Only that at current, Toronto is one of the original six, and I didn't realize that anyone who wanted to poke fun at a team as storied and as successful as the Leafs for not making the playoffs for the last 9 seasons needed the prerequisite of supporting a perennial playoff team themselves. But now I know. Learn something new every day on the internet I guess.

Well, better get going, I've got more protecting to do

your blog is bang on Travis. i have been saying since the beginnning that this thing is follwoing a script to the 11th hour and barring something unforseen, this thing will be settled at the last minute. i stick by that. and really, as much as i hate Fehr, can you blame him? he's going to end up with the best deal he could have gotten the players.the only way this doesn't go down is if there are just a group of players simply intent on getting rid of Bettman controlling the union and controlled by Fehr. that's the conspiract theorist in me.
- scotch_tape

Yeah, except the most he's really going to gain in the long run is what he's already cost the players so far. So even if it turns out to be a wash, what a tremendous waste of time and games.

Eklunds new blog is going to mention that "a reason for hope" would be because lots of NHL players are returning from europe. Dont get excited this because of 10 breaks for there respective leagues.

Eklunds new blog is going to mention that "a reason for hope" would be because lots of NHL players are returning from europe. Dont get excited this because of 10 breaks for there respective leagues.
- TrueBlue9182

No, I think a new reason for hope will be the fact that the schedule was cancelled through December 30 ONLY. Mr Eklund is known to have used it as a source for his optimism in the past.

What's the difference? He's a fan of the NHL, what else matters? What other credentials or qualifications does one need to speak toungue and cheek about a team from the original six that hasn't made the playoffs in a decade?
- MnGump

bump.

well done. all the guy does is troll around.

and he's from fricken winnipeg.

win-win
- braidan

the athletes from ancient Greece had it pretty good.

It was 20 years ago today that Gary Bettman was appointed commissioner of the NHL.
- Feeling_Glucky

tomorrow will be his 500th lockout day

- woopstash

which one of the Staals is this?

Didn't owners pull all off the table? Hard for NHLPA to say no then back a week later and say yes...

Aside from that, I've talked with some fellow NHL season ticket holders that have discussed disputing their season's payment with their credit card companies (as many are so disgusted with the entire situation)... Has anyone else heard of this?
I'm sure it would be a battle to keep the rights to your seats as well.
- sockersfc5

They only pulled the $300M off the table if the players are unwilling to accept the 3 conditions. It seems like those 3, extremely minor conditions are what is separating the 2 sides right now.

I would not put it past either side to lose a season over contract length.

why has the optimism meter not varied?