Holy crap, Edmonton is a lot more pathetic than everyone makes it out to be. Now I understand the Calgary dilemna.

Guys, everyone loves Edmonton. Okay? I feel so bad for making you guys cry and hate yourselves right before christmas.
- systemtool

Your location says Milton Ontario. Are you sure you are in a position to be calling anywhere else "pathetic" ???

No, they were RFAs with Edmonton for years still. They couldnt just walk away. Besides, the discussion was about if the NHLPA disbanded and there was no union and all players became UFA's.
- systemtool

You were indicating that no one wants to go to Edmonton and Schultz was a rare exception. I was providing a counter point. Pretty simple concept really.

Holy crap, Edmonton is a lot more pathetic than everyone makes it out to be. Now I understand the Calgary dilemna.

Guys, everyone loves Edmonton. Okay? I feel so bad for making you guys cry and hate yourselves right before christmas.
- systemtool

You're a Maple Leafs fan... You have plenty more reasons to cry than we do.

Never said they couldn't. Just don't agree with your rationale that Edmonton will only be able to get 3rd and 4th tier free agents.
- sanfordnson

Never said thats all they would get. Just dont agree the Oilers would be as even of a position as teams like Van, Det, Bos, Chi, Phil, Mont, Tor, NYR because of the popularity and size of those markets.

Cloutier never said St. Louis is being kept out of the process. He suggested Iginla was. He eluded to moderates being kept out and that in the last lockout St. Louis was a moderate as was Iginla. He suggested moderates were being kept out this time but no where in there did he directly say that St. Louis was being kept out. Once again you took things out of context, I got his point, he may be right he may be wrong, but you come here and attack clouts based on something you took as literal. Try thinking when you read something
- ruttager17

Re-read the blog. This is copied and pasted directly from the blog

"The other problem is how mislead most players are with regards to their own PA. Do they realize people like Campoli and Hainsey may be working towards furthering their own agendas instead of working in the union's best interests? Do players realize people like Iginla and St. Louis are being intentionally shut out of the process because they actually want a deal?"

You're a Maple Leafs fan... You have plenty more reasons to cry than we do.
- laughs2907

I agree, I do. But im not the one denying my situation.

But in a free for all, id be less worried/concerned.

You were indicating that no one wants to go to Edmonton and Schultz was a rare exception. I was providing a counter point. Pretty simple concept really.
- sanfordnson

Im not indicating anything. Im pointing out the obvious. Aside from that one player, there has been no evidence that when given the choice, players will choose Edmonton over other more markets. You're right, it is a pretty simple concept. Dont make it more complex by denying it.

Never said thats all they would get. Just dont agree the Oilers would be as even of a position as teams like Van, Det, Bos, Chi, Phil, Mont, Tor, NYR because of the popularity and size of those markets.
- systemtool

Why do you think Detroit is a popular choice amongst NHL players? Do you think it's because of the city?

Why do you think Detroit is a popular choice amongst NHL players? Do you think it's because of the city?
- laughs2907

I think its because they spend, and they are run properly. They compete consistently. Detroit is the perfect model franchise which there really isnt much to compare to. A rare breed of everything. None of which the Oilers bring to the table.

Im not indicating anything. Im pointing out the obvious. Aside from that one player, there has been no evidence that when given the choice, players will choose Edmonton over other more markets.
- systemtool

Granted. It's well covered ground. It's also well covered ground that players ultimately prefer to play for a winner too, so currently, if a free-for-all happened, both our teams would be (frank)ed.

I think its because they spend, and they are run properly. They compete consistently. Detroit is the perfect model franchise which there really isnt much to compare to. A rare breed of everything. None of which the Oilers bring to the table.
- systemtool

Bored this morning?

Im not indicating anything. Im pointing out the obvious. Aside from that one player, there has been no evidence that when given the choice, players will choose Edmonton over other more markets. You're right, it is a pretty simple concept. Dont make it more complex by denying it.
- systemtool

There has been no evidence that when given the choice, players will choose Toronto over other more markets. Unless you want to go back years and year when Toronto grabbed guys who were fit for retirement.

Your location says Milton Ontario. Are you sure you are in a position to be calling anywhere else "pathetic" ???
- ruttager17

Ived moved since and havent bothered to update. But yea, good try. L for effort.

Was an investment move, and one that paid off rather well.

There has been no evidence that when given the choice, players will choose Toronto over other more markets. Unless you want to go back years and year when Toronto grabbed guys who were fit for retirement.
- laughs2907

So there is evidence, great!

Toronto will just outspend teams, and once they can compete, landing players will be much easier. Once again, Toronto is only one team on my list. Go through them all and stop being selective. Ive already admitted that Toronto is not in a better position than Edmonton right now, im not sitting in my own pile of feces and denial on the matter.

I think its because they spend, and they are run properly. They compete consistently. Detroit is the perfect model franchise which there really isnt much to compare to. A rare breed of everything. None of which the Oilers bring to the table.
- systemtool

The Oilers have the tools in place to become a successful teams for years. Granted they had to suck to get those tools, the fact is they now have them. This is one of the reasons Schultz went with Edmonton. If the Oilers end up showing promise, they will have no problem attracting UFAs.

Granted. It's well covered ground. It's also well covered ground that players ultimately prefer to play for a winner too, so currently, if a free-for-all happened, both our teams would be (frank)ed.
- sanfordnson

Agree.

Correct me if I'm wrong. But regardless of whether there is a Union or not. There are still laws that are in place to protect employees, correct? It's just that the rules are different.
- MJL

Those laws you speak protect the real working people in real life jobs. To even bring up this in a sports related arguement is completely wrong.
1) The laws to protect people rights do not include Personal trainers, First class Flights, Paid meals allowances bigger than some people weekly cheques, Insurance plans where the monthly cost is bigger than some people plans.
2) The plight of the hard done by NHLers are not comparable to the laws designed on the backs of child labour, Mine workers, Textile workers, construction workers.

Please do not ever try to put NHL players and Labour laws designed to protect workers in the same sentence, paragraph, story, book, thoughts, memos, ideas ever again. This actually makes your arguement worse than some of the NHLers texting and on twitter.

The Oilers have the tools in place to become a successful teams for years. Granted they had to suck to get those tools, the fact is they now have them. This is one of the reasons Schultz went with Edmonton. If the Oilers end up showing promise, they will have no problem attracting UFAs.
- laughs2907

The Oilers need to start converting that potential to reality. I am envious of the Oilers team compared to my own team, no denying that. For their sake, I think they should just ditch Kabby and find a decent veteran to compliment their young goaltending. But they have to turn that potential to wins or its all for not.

So there is evidence, great!

Toronto will just outspend teams, and once they can compete, landing players will be much easier. Once again, Toronto is only one team on my list. Go through them all and stop being selective. Ive already admitted that Toronto is not in a better position than Edmonton right now, im not sitting in my own pile of feces and denial on the matter.
- systemtool

Getting guys who are fit for retirement and nobody else has interest in is hardly evidence.

The Oilers need to start converting that potential to reality. I am envious of the Oilers team compared to my own team, no denying that. For their sake, I think they should just ditch Kabby and find a decent veteran to compliment their young goaltending. But they have to turn that potential to wins or its all for not.
- systemtool

Naught.

I agree 100%. The time to go on about potential is done and now the results need to show up.

Getting guys who are fit for retirement and nobody else has interest in is hardly evidence.
- laughs2907

That was all in concert with the current rules.

Back then, the UFA age was 30 plus years old. Not the mid 20's it is now.

Players wanted to play in Toronto in those days, dont fake the funk, but under the rules of that CBA all players reaching UFA status were older in years. True they didnt win a cup, but those were some damn fun and exciting years.

The Oilers need to start converting that potential to reality. I am envious of the Oilers team compared to my own team, no denying that. For their sake, I think they should just ditch Kabby and find a decent veteran to compliment their young goaltending. But they have to turn that potential to wins or its all for not.
- systemtool

For once I agree. And yes, Khabby is complete sh1t. It takes time for teams to turn it around though. It took Chicago and Pittsburgh a lot of time as well. But yeah, they have to turn it around very soon, or they're (frank)ed.

That was all in concert with the current rules.

Back then, the UFA age was 30 plus years old. Not the mid 20's it is now.

Players wanted to play in Toronto in those days, dont fake the funk, but under the rules of that CBA all players reaching UFA status were older in years. True they didnt win a cup, but those were some damn fun and exciting years.
- systemtool

I thought for sure the Lindros and Leetch signings would put them over the top.

Naught.

I agree 100%. The time to go on about potential is done and now the results need to show up.
- sanfordnson

Its kind of how I felt with the Blue Jays. Tons of youth, tons of potential, but bringing it all together into a winner was the hard part. Now, the flip side is im worried they'll go overboard trying to go from youth to win now. Its a really fine line that is hard to juggle. That said, I still love what the Oilers are doing with all that youth. Very enviable position.

Excellent blog. Buzz Hargrove is one of the people behind what the union is trying to do ? If Fehr is getting his support from the likes of Hainsey, Campoli, Winter, and Hargrove, he's in trouble. Did anyone else find it odd that Fehr gave his update on the NHL lockout at the CAW council meeting last week ? Just who is this guy reporting to and working for?