Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Grossmann update, Fedotenko,KHL Imports and more

Kimmo is the one guy I'd really like to get rest. Stay in shape, in a sterile gym environment but no need to log extra mileage.

Bill, How long do you think the lockout will last??

If you have said in other posts sorry but I couldnt remember and looked around before I ask this.

What will Shelley be doing during the Lockout??

Thanks and good read

I think the lockout will last till at least the Winter Classic. If it goes past the Winter Classic, the season will be lost.

Nice update Bill

I think the lockout will last till at least the Winter Classic. If it goes past the Winter Classic, the season will be lost.

Nice update Bill
- phi1671

I think the season opens on Black Friday. That's enough time for not only the Winter Classic, but also the lead up stuff(24/7, etc) that bring in money

I think the season opens on Black Friday. That's enough time for not only the Winter Classic, but also the lead up stuff(24/7, etc) that bring in money
- Jsaquella

That's the same sense I get as well, but that's based more on logic than anything official.

That's the same sense I get as well, but that's based more on logic than anything official.
- bmeltzer

That's the players' big trump card. The owners will want to save the WC. If they lose that, I expect armageddon and at least one season lost.

I just don't understand how they are not meeting round the clock to get this done. It seems like it's such a casual thing right now between the 2 sides. Sit the (frank) down, and get this (frank)ing season going!!!

I just don't understand how they are not meeting round the clock to get this done. It seems like it's such a casual thing right now between the 2 sides. Sit the (frank) down, and get this (frank)ing season going!!!
- Jimmygrazz

I agree, but each side is more interested in breaking the other side and winning, then they are in compromising and reaching a middle ground. It's mind boggling. It's really simple. The players need to agree to some type of salary cutback. And the Owners need to agree to increase revenue sharing.

I just don't understand how they are not meeting round the clock to get this done. It seems like it's such a casual thing right now between the 2 sides. Sit the (frank) down, and get this (frank)ing season going!!!
- Jimmygrazz

Thats a good call.... I never thought of that. I wonder why they are taking their sweet butt time on this.

Thats a good call.... I never thought of that. I wonder why they are taking their sweet butt time on this.
- Flyers_1488

Right now, neither side is likely going to budge, so constant talks may do more harm than good. If you sit in a room arguing over something with the same people for 8 hours a day, it will lead to personal acrimony.

They should have been sitting down to daily negotiations back in December or even the summer of 2011 to bridge the gap. But both sides want the other to feel the pinch. Now it's down to who blinks first.

Also, while I do side with the NHLPA on most issues, I know they will be the ones who blink.

I agree, but each side is more interested in breaking the other side and winning, then they are in compromising and reaching a middle ground. It's mind boggling. It's really simple. The players need to agree to some type of salary cutback. And the Owners need to agree to increase revenue sharing.
- MJL

Brinksmanship is popular these days. That both sides willingly walked into a lockout says to me they don't fathom the fire they're playing with, they only have this absurd idea of 'winning' on the brain.

Thats a good call.... I never thought of that. I wonder why they are taking their sweet butt time on this.
- Flyers_1488

If you are a small marktet team and either can't compete or can't make money, would you fight?

If you are a large market team with a fidiciary duty to maximize profits for your sharedholders, would you fight?

If you are a star and you have the potential to lose millions, would you fight?


I think we all believe there is 'nuf to go around. And we all agree that the fans get screwed. Not much more to say.

If you are a small marktet team and either can't compete or can't make money, would you fight?

If you are a large market team with a fidiciary duty to maximize profits for your sharedholders, would you fight?

If you are a star and you have the potential to lose millions, would you fight?


I think we all believe there is 'nuf to go around. And we all agree that the fans get screwed. Not much more to say.
- Daman

I think the season opens on Black Friday. That's enough time for not only the Winter Classic, but also the lead up stuff(24/7, etc) that bring in money
- Jsaquella

I get that sense too but that's too logical. Bettemen wants again wants to win and win big...I really don't think he knows how to compromise. We shall see...

I think if anything the revenue sharing should be 50/50 down the middle with revenue sharing but the owners imo are taking this go to hell stance more so than the players. After all it was the players willing to work and burn the midnight oil saturday not the owners.

If you are a small marktet team and either can't compete or can't make money, would you fight?

If you are a large market team with a fidiciary duty to maximize profits for your sharedholders, would you fight?

If you are a star and you have the potential to lose millions, would you fight?


I think we all believe there is 'nuf to go around. And we all agree that the fans get screwed. Not much more to say.
- Daman

The baffling thing is, for all these suggestions, that all three parties in question stand to lose money for every day of hockey lost to the lockout. Revenues become zero, which means no profit sharing, and paychecks will follow suit. So that all sides have not swallowed some portion of their pride and sat down to get it done seems counter-intuitive, even in light of their responsibilities to themselves in these proceedings.

The baffling thing is, for all these suggestions, that all three parties in question stand to lose money for every day of hockey lost to the lockout. Revenues become zero, which means no profit sharing, and paychecks will follow suit. So that all sides have not swallowed some portion of their pride and sat down to get it done seems counter-intuitive, even in light of their responsibilities to themselves in these proceedings.
- BulliesPhan87

I was hoping someone would note that. You would think that in order to maximize your profits, you would need to keep your customers happy. Obviously, is is a balance, otherwise all products and services would cost 1cent.

There is a scene from the Godfather where Michael is being taught how to assisnate his enemies. The guy tells him that there is a war every 10 years or so - to clean things up and that's just the way it is.

I feel like we are entering the 3rd family war in the past 20 years.

I was hoping someone would note that. You would think that in order to maximize your profits, you would need to keep your customers happy. Obviously, is is a balance, otherwise all products and services would cost 1cent.

There is a scene from the Godfather where Michael is being taught how to assisnate his enemies. The guy tells him that there is a war every 10 years or so - to clean things up and that's just the way it is.

I feel like we are entering the 3rd family war in the past 20 years.
- Daman

I'm not even just referring to keeping fans happy. This is, put most simply, an argument over who takes how much of the financial pie. That's fine, money is important. The problem I see is, for all the arguing, the motor (NHL Hockey, that is) that generates this revenue in question is not running, and the sport is going to suffer for its idleness.

I don't think this has to be a war, though it certainly is at this point. Negotiations have to happen, one CBA cannot fit forever, but what irks me is the way both parties have approached it. They have their separate needs and wants to be mindful of, certainly, but you'd think the NHL and NHLPA would recognize they're as much partners in business as much as they are opposites at the bargaining table.

Brinksmanship is popular these days. That both sides willingly walked into a lockout says to me they don't fathom the fire they're playing with, they only have this absurd idea of 'winning' on the brain.
- BulliesPhan87

I think that's part of it. They really aren't playing with fire. The fanbase that they count on will be right back once they settle. If they really thought that this would kill them financially, it would have been settled already.

I think that's part of it. They really aren't playing with fire. The fanbase that they count on will be right back once they settle. If they really thought that this would kill them financially, it would have been settled already.
- MJL

I might be overstating the consequences of what's going on, but I feel this pattern of letting labor disputes extend into lockout territory will have repercussions, even if it doesn't take an entire season this time around.

I might be overstating the consequences of what's going on, but I feel this pattern of letting labor disputes extend into lockout territory will have repercussions, even if it doesn't take an entire season this time around.
- BulliesPhan87

I think they will lose very little of the fanbase if any at all. If it's setlled and the Season goes on, by the time the playoffs role around, it will long be forgotten. The League and the players are willing to sacrifice the short term finances for long term financial gain.

I'm not even just referring to keeping fans happy. This is, put most simply, an argument over who takes how much of the financial pie. That's fine, money is important. The problem I see is, for all the arguing, the motor (NHL Hockey, that is) that generates this revenue in question is not running, and the sport is going to suffer for its idleness.

I don't think this has to be a war, though it certainly is at this point. Negotiations have to happen, one CBA cannot fit forever, but what irks me is the way both parties have approached it. They have their separate needs and wants to be mindful of, certainly, but you'd think the NHL and NHLPA would recognize they're as much partners in business as much as they are opposites at the bargaining table.
- BulliesPhan87

Again, I think you are making good points. Nothing to add.

I think if anything the revenue sharing should be 50/50 down the middle with revenue sharing but the owners imo are taking this go to hell stance more so than the players. After all it was the players willing to work and burn the midnight oil saturday not the owners.
- JoeRussomanno

It seems 50/50 is a convenient number but lacks any economic analysis or value. Should the players pay 50% of of the training staff salaries?

I am sure many of the owners have worked as much if not harder than the players, just not in a physical labor capacity. Players are employees, but they just happen to be in a field where they produce a ton of revenue. But they put up none of the initial investment to run the operations....whatever, he all know this...

That's the same sense I get as well, but that's based more on logic than anything official.
- bmeltzer

*resists the urge to laugh at this word when used in conjunction with the NHL*



*fails*