Too bad, my wife was used to having me getting sh*t done around the house...

Frankly I was looking forward to the players whining and selling off one or 3 of their houses...still say....f the nhlpa

We need to look at this honestly, folks: The NHL and NHLPA hate each other.

Nah.

It's just business.

Ding dong the witch is dead,the witch is dead, the witch is dead . Ding dong the evil witch is dead.

Richard Cloutier: The Lockout Is Over! Or Is It...
- Maxbone

"The only thing better than how unrealistically excited everyone is on Twitter right now would be this evening watching public reaction if negotiations go sour and the Disclaimer is given to the league. I'm a little diseased that way. It's sort of like going to a car race: I either want to see the guy I'm cheering for win, or I want to see a 20 car pileup around turn #3. Anything in between would be a huge disappointment."

Is this writer always a dweeb?

That's the scary bit: We've been close before...closer, actually...and things completely blew up.
- Maxbone

Closer? Really? That makes no sense. None.

It's time for the owners to step up and get a deal done. Moving from 60 Milllion to 65 Million is in their own best interest.

If the contract term is a final issue to be resolved, why not allow each team 1 contract to 8 years (must be their own drafted player) and leave the rest max at 6 years with 30% variance. I think this would be a great compromise for both.

I wonder what else truly separates them now..... not sure what to believe from twitterverse.

Good blog Richard. They are very close, so we hear. They've been close for how long now. Could still blow up. But I still believe there will be a Season.
- MJL

If your new years resolution was to be nicer and not such a know it all on the HB Boards.... it seems to be working for you. Keep up the good work.

Closer? Really? That makes no sense. None.
- Patrickj

Actually, it does. Back about six weeks ago, the owners thought they had a deal with the players...which they did...until Donald Fehr came in the room and told the players to hold out for more. A deal was in place at that point. We still don't have a deal now. Hence: Closer.

Actually, it does. Back about six weeks ago, the owners thought they had a deal with the players...which they did...until Donald Fehr came in the room and told the players to hold out for more. A deal was in place at that point. We still don't have a deal now. Hence: Closer.
- Maxbone

Do you really think they had a deal at that point? or a basic agreement on few concepts. It's hard to believe that if a done was actually agreed to man to man between players and owners that deFuhr could mess that up without the players (AKA Crosby and company) going completely apesheit.

I think the players have given Fehr too much free reign and authority and should have made the agreement from the owner / players meetings stick. they've lost and extra what 50 Million or so, and really gained nothing.

Ding dong the witch is dead,the witch is dead, the witch is dead . Ding dong the evil witch is dead.
- VANTEL

which witch

Twitter has never been stupider than it is right now.
- Maxbone

I agree 100%.... I follow an Oiler blogger who spent the better part of the day tweeting about dumb poop.

Closer? Really? That makes no sense. None.
- Patrickj

There is no place for logic in a Cloutier thread.

Actually, it does. Back about six weeks ago, the owners thought they had a deal with the players...which they did...until Donald Fehr came in the room and told the players to hold out for more. A deal was in place at that point. We still don't have a deal now. Hence: Closer.
- Maxbone

I agree 100%.... I follow an Oiler blogger who spent the better part of the day tweeting about dumb poop.
- RichardHertz

That's no way to talk about Mark Spector.

Do you really think they had a deal at that point? or a basic agreement on few concepts. It's hard to believe that if a done was actually agreed to man to man between players and owners that deFuhr could mess that up without the players (AKA Crosby and company) going completely apesheit.

I think the players have given Fehr too much free reign and authority and should have made the agreement from the owner / players meetings stick. they've lost and extra what 50 Million or so, and really gained nothing.
- gstrandberg

Nahhhh clout's just believes whatever Eklund shovels him, basically Eklund gave clout's one of his patented E*69's which stated that Ek had a very close player source (who will obviously remain nameless) that told Ek he was in the room with the players and the pen was about to sign on the dotted line when all of a sudden in burst donald fehr, did a few cartwheels, a ninja roll, slid across the long boardroom table and ripped the pen out of the players hand. Does that sound made up like 98% of Ek's rumors? I think not.

- RichardHertz

I'm always amazed at people who think I'm terrible who read my blogs daily and comment constantly. Usually I avoid people I think suck.

Oh well, whatever floats your boat.

That's no way to talk about Mark Spector.
- Maxbone

If Mark Spector doesn't like it he should stop tweeting dumb poop.

I'm always amazed at people who think I'm terrible who read my blogs daily and comment constantly. Usually I avoid people I think suck.

Oh well, whatever floats your boat.
- Maxbone

I wouldn't call you terrible. You can be entertaining and a good writer when you're not trying to hard.

Actually, it does. Back about six weeks ago, the owners thought they had a deal with the players...which they did...until Donald Fehr came in the room and told the players to hold out for more. A deal was in place at that point. We still don't have a deal now. Hence: Closer.
- Maxbone

A deal was never in place and agreed upon by both sides at the player/owner meeting. That is incorrect Richard.

Who wants to start a Saudi Hockey League?

What? It's feasible. I mean it worked in Arizona...

NDHL

NDHL
- laughs2907

No Dummies Hockey League?

obviously Bettman and Fehr won't be involved

No Dummies Hockey League?

obviously Bettman and Fehr won't be involved
- gstrandberg

Given the actions of most involved so far, I was going for National Dickhead Hockey League... Good guess though. I'll award you points for your guess.

Given the actions of most involved so far, I was going for National Dickhead Hockey League... Good guess though. I'll award you points for your guess.
- laughs2907

Given free license.... I can come up with some doozies.

I'm sure there will be many other variations thrown around tonight

NDHL
- laughs2907

In my league, since Saudi thinks unions are as forbidden as eating pigs, you'll have no lockout problems since all the player will be slaves performing for our enjoyment all year long!