I tend to think there will be a shortened season, but not before a severe bit of screaming and fussing on both ends. If they don't save this season, though, and things go to court, I will be very, very pessimistic about things.
- BulliesPhan87

If it becomes a court battle, then forget about it. It could set the League back years. And that's obviously not good for anyone involved.

The NHL has to seriously look at their approach to business. The NHL has seen almost 20% of it's games cancelled since the last cancelled Season until now.

If it becomes a court battle, then forget about it. It could set the League back years. And that's obviously not good for anyone involved.

The NHL has to seriously look at their approach to business. The NHL has seen almost 20% of it's games cancelled since the last cancelled Season until now.
- MJL

i think the pressure will be great to push bettman out in that case. like everyone else, i'm completely disgusted and i think the blame for this crap is just about 50-50.

i think the pressure will be great to push bettman out in that case. like everyone else, i'm completely disgusted and i think the blame for this crap is just about 50-50.
- isaiah520

I almost wish the league would go under now. So sick of this - and we're going to have another lockout and another and another every 5-10 years. I've moved onto AHL, CHL, and collegiate hockey (not to mention my son's weekly games) and bought the cable package so I could dive in and fully follow Everton in the EPL.

The greed of owners past (allowing in more expansion teams in exchange for a big payday) has resulted in too many unviable teams or teams with owners so greedy that a team owned by an unconverted Scrooge would look thrifty by comparison.

This league and its players will reap what they're sowing. Good for them. I hope they all go broke.

i think the blame for this crap is just about 50-50.
- isaiah520

I agree.

Sad when you get one of the finest athletes (potentially) in Phila sports history and his career is shortened by nonsense.

Is anyone else thinking this band aid proposal out there will actually lead to contraction? Think about Nashville and Minnesota in particular, who have to hand out in excess of $20M to players regardless of a season.

Also, HRR is going to drop like a rock, so the owners might not actually see any increase in profits despite an increase in revenue %, meaning the teams that lost money will keep losing money. Unless the NHL decides to fund them and they magically make the WCF/SCF.

Is anyone else thinking this band aid proposal out there will actually lead to contraction? Think about Nashville and Minnesota in particular, who have to hand out in excess of $20M to players regardless of a season.

Also, HRR is going to drop like a rock, so the owners might not actually see any increase in profits despite an increase in revenue %, meaning the teams that lost money will keep losing money. Unless the NHL decides to fund them and they magically make the WCF/SCF.
- jmatchett

That's really the entire problem. What the Owner's are asking for in the CBA negotiations simply isn't a solution. It will help, but having the players take a lesser percentage going forward simply isn't going to solve the financial issues of teams such as Columbus, Florida and Phoenix. It's a band aid as you say.
And down the road, were looking at another lockout. And over and over.

I saw an article about a Company that is a specialist at surveying customers for Companies. They looked at the potential damage going forward from the lockout to the NHL. They said they are seeing things that they've never seen before. And they've been doing that kind of work for a long time for a lot of major Companies. So this has a chance to be devastating for the League. But there's still a lockout over length of contract. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

If it becomes a court battle, then forget about it. It could set the League back years. And that's obviously not good for anyone involved.

The NHL has to seriously look at their approach to business. The NHL has seen almost 20% of it's games cancelled since the last cancelled Season until now.
- MJL

Totally agree. When I heard the NHL included 'void all player contracts' in their complaints filing thing, my first thought was, "If this goes to court, NHL hockey could literally become extinct." Take away the ongoing narrative of teams assembling their talent, and I think you kill any interest people have in being fans of their team.

Hopefully self-preservation truly kicks in and saves us from this situation. Going forward, though, I think you're exactly right about needing to rethink their modus operandi. This behavior that keeps this cycle of lockouts going is toxic.

i think the pressure will be great to push bettman out in that case. like everyone else, i'm completely disgusted and i think the blame for this crap is just about 50-50.
- isaiah520

Not a prediction, but any result that doesn't include firing Fehr and Bettman at the end of this will be less than satisfactory to me.

Not a prediction, but any result that doesn't include firing Fehr and Bettman at the end of this will be less than satisfactory to me.
- BulliesPhan87

What if the decision includes free beer?

What if the decision includes free beer?
- jmatchett

I have expensive taste, I doubt they make the kind of concessions I expect. I'll accept no less than Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale.

I have expensive taste, I doubt they make the kind of concessions I expect. I'll accept no less than Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale.
- BulliesPhan87

Okay, beer and women. But, the higher on the scale one goes, the lower the other goes.

Okay, beer and women. But, the higher on the scale one goes, the lower the other goes.
- jmatchett

Well, I'm involved so I'm not worried about the women. I'll concede the free women to get rid of Tweedle Richard and Tweedle Dump, if possible.

Totally agree. When I heard the NHL included 'void all player contracts' in their complaints filing thing, my first thought was, "If this goes to court, NHL hockey could literally become extinct." Take away the ongoing narrative of teams assembling their talent, and I think you kill any interest people have in being fans of their team.

Hopefully self-preservation truly kicks in and saves us from this situation. Going forward, though, I think you're exactly right about needing to rethink their modus operandi. This behavior that keeps this cycle of lockouts going is toxic.
- BulliesPhan87

I don't know a whole lot about the legal issues. But I believe the NHL made that part of their lawsuit to threaten the players. Which is tit for tat, because the whole point of DOI or de-certifiction is to threaten the NHL

I saw an article about a Company that is a specialist at surveying customers for Companies. They looked at the potential damage going forward from the lockout to the NHL. They said they are seeing things that they've never seen before. And they've been doing that kind of work for a long time for a lot of major Companies. So this has a chance to be devastating for the League. But there's still a lockout over length of contract. Doesn't make a lot of sense.
- MJL

I believe it. I've been trying not to pay too much attention to the lockout. All along I have been thinking that I'd go back to watching NHL hockey whenever the lock out ends; this year or next. I love NHL hockey and I'll take whatever I can get. But over the last few days I've started to change my mind. I've never seen a business that has less regard for their customers. I'm just disgusted by it. I don't see any urgency, by either side, to come to a resolution. It's an embarassment that we know anything about the inner workings of the business of the NHL at all. I just want to see great hockey. When I go to a restaurant I don't want to know what's going on in the kitchen I just want great food and service. I'm fed up. I'm kinda hoping for this to kill the NHL. The NHL doesn't care about the fans...why should I care about the NHL?

I don't know a whole lot about the legal issues. But I believe the NHL made that part of their lawsuit to threaten the players. Which is tit for tat, because the whole point of DOI or de-certifiction is to threaten the NHL
- MJL

It just seems like such an extreme threat. Like, forget cutting off your nose, this is 'a shotgun to the temple to spite your face' kind of extreme.

It just seems like such an extreme threat. Like, forget cutting off your nose, this is 'a shotgun to the temple to spite your face' kind of extreme.
- BulliesPhan87

I feel like they shouldn't have the option to lockout. If the two sides can't come to an agreement before the season starts then a third party needs to decide for them.

how about setting limits? If a contract agreement hasn't been reached by the start of training camp then they have a week to present their sides to a third party. Then this third party has a week to come up with a temporary contract that both sides have to abide by for a year. If they can't come to an agreement by the end of the next year the third party sets the terms for another temporary agreement and play goes on.

how about setting limits? If a contract agreement hasn't been reached by the start of training camp then they have a week to present their sides to a third party. Then this third party has a week to come up with a temporary contract that both sides have to abide by for a year. If they can't come to an agreement by the end of the next year the third party sets the terms for another temporary agreement and play goes on.
- Dkos

The problem is who is going to install this? And how would you get the NHL and the NHLPA to agree to that?

The problem is who is going to install this? And how would you get the NHL and the NHLPA to agree to that?
- MJL

I know, I know

I'm just fed up. I like to enjoy the sport for the sport. I try not to pay attention to salaries, and contracts. I don't want to think about some dopey kid making $5 mil/ a year. I like the illusion that these are humble kids playing a great game just for the sport of it.

Think about Nashville and Minnesota in particular, who have to hand out in excess of $20M to players regardless of a season.

- jmatchett

I have no sympathy for self-inflicted wounds.

I have no sympathy for self-inflicted wounds.
- Scoob

hello sir

I know, I know

I'm just fed up. I like to enjoy the sport for the sport. I try not to pay attention to salaries, and contracts. I don't want to think about some dopey kid making $5 mil/ a year. I like the illusion that these are humble kids playing a great game just for the sport of it.
- Dkos

They are that. Except when it comes to CBA and individual player contract negotiations. I know how you feel.

They are that. Except when it comes to CBA and individual player contract negotiations. I know how you feel.
- MJL

why's it have to be my sport? I couldn't care less if the other three major leagues imploded. Why's it have to be the NHL?

why's it have to be my sport? I couldn't care less if the other three major leagues imploded. Why's it have to be the NHL?
- Dkos

that's the issue. the NHL is no longer in the same realm as the other sports

growing up it was "the big 4"
now, realistically, it is "the big 3"