Eklund: Marathon Sessions Ahead For the Weekend? Big Opportunity.

FIRST

The more I listen to the talking heads...the more I think this is going to go awhile. A long while.

Hope you have a war chest saved up EK because you're going to need it just as much as any other related NHL publication(s).

The more I listen to the talking heads...the more I think this is going to go awhile. A long while.

Hope you have a war chest saved up EK because you're going to need it just as much as any other related NHL publication(s).
- Canadian kid

Said this in the Devils blog.

If it's like this in November, then I'd be worried. Right now, there's no urgency. Training camps don't NEED to be 20 something days long. They could do a 10 day or less training camp if they wanted to. That and the fact that October isn't so important with World Series/Football, the attendance numbers in October aren't really all that good. So October isn't that much of a priority for the owners.

I don't believe there will be any talks this weekend.

If they wanted to get something done they should meet just about everyday this week...

So when is your book coming out Ek?

If they wanted to get something done they should meet just about everyday this week...
- NickA

If they have nothing new to say, then why meet?

This. Is. AWESOME!

The more I listen to the talking heads...the more I think this is going to go awhile. A long while.

Hope you have a war chest saved up EK because you're going to need it just as much as any other related NHL publication(s).
- Canadian kid

Right now, everything that is said in public is just positioning by both sides. They're positioning themselves to be seen in the best light. They both know what's at stake and will try to get the best deal they can get. At the same time, I think they both know two seasons of lost revenue in 8 years would be disastrous. They'll get a deal done, sooner rather than later. The evident growth of the game over the past few seasons is at stake with a lengthy lockout....and that hurts EVERYONE and trust me, they know this too.

Said this in the Devils blog.

If it's like this in November, then I'd be worried. Right now, there's no urgency. Training camps don't NEED to be 20 something days long. They could do a 10 day or less training camp if they wanted to. That and the fact that October isn't so important with World Series/Football, the attendance numbers in October aren't really all that good. So October isn't that much of a priority for the owners.
- _Zippy_

Depends on the owner, doesn't it?

Right now, everything that is said in public is just positioning by both sides. They're positioning themselves to be seen in the best light. They both know what's at stake and will try to get the best deal they can get. At the same time, I think they both know two seasons of lost revenue in 8 years would be disastrous. They'll get a deal done, sooner rather than later. The evident growth of the game over the past few seasons is at stake with a lengthy lockout....and that hurts EVERYONE and trust me, they know this too.
- Phenom

I thinking postruing is the word you were looking for

the marathon sessions will come after the breakthrough in negotiations. that breakthrough won't come without major concessions from one or both parties. don't see any concessions coming for another month or two at least.

Said this in the Devils blog.

If it's like this in November, then I'd be worried. Right now, there's no urgency. Training camps don't NEED to be 20 something days long. They could do a 10 day or less training camp if they wanted to. That and the fact that October isn't so important with World Series/Football, the attendance numbers in October aren't really all that good. So October isn't that much of a priority for the owners.
- _Zippy_

Totally agreed. My point more relates to the absolute belief both seem to have that they are correct.

The NHL firmly believes there system is the only way to do things.
The NHLPA believes there system is the only way to address the systematic problems that plague the NHL.

The biggest damn problem is that they can't even agree how to fix things. If we at least had that starting ground I would be optimistic that numbers could be figured out.

But when you have Fehr stand up and say they are like 17% apart and then Gary comes on an hour later and says they're only 7% apart you have to wonder if they are even listening let alone looking at the same pages.

There has to be such a fundamental shift in thinking that I don't forsee any changes for a long time. You don't make this dramatic of a negotiating change unless things are absolutely dire and are absolutely at the 11th hour.

It will go awhile. It won't be pretty and this time the NHL and it's players will have to answer for there stupidity and greed.

Said this in the Devils blog.

If it's like this in November, then I'd be worried. Right now, there's no urgency. Training camps don't NEED to be 20 something days long. They could do a 10 day or less training camp if they wanted to. That and the fact that October isn't so important with World Series/Football, the attendance numbers in October aren't really all that good. So October isn't that much of a priority for the owners.
- _Zippy_

there is absolutely ZERO urgency. the NHL could easily play a full schedule that starts in early-mid November. compress the schedule, extend the regular season into mid April. i don't see anything serious happening until early October.

Said this in the Devils blog.

If it's like this in November, then I'd be worried. Right now, there's no urgency. Training camps don't NEED to be 20 something days long. They could do a 10 day or less training camp if they wanted to. That and the fact that October isn't so important with World Series/Football, the attendance numbers in October aren't really all that good. So October isn't that much of a priority for the owners.
- _Zippy_

Seeing as every arena is allowed to book shows up to 30 days from the current day of the lockout, we have already missed the start of the season. it won't take long until we are missing November games.

the marathon sessions will come after the breakthrough in negotiations. that breakthrough won't come without major concessions from one or both parties. don't see any concessions coming for another month or two at least.
- DoubleDown

True. However they can have a marathon pissing in the other's Wheaties. Thats all I think this will be is a pissing match. this could have started last year but the PA wanted to wait.

I thinking postruing is the word you were looking for
- Oilhab

It's the same thing, dude.

And it's spelled posturing.

If they have nothing new to say, then why meet?
- Oilhab

Seriously?

Both sides already know or have a solid idea of their "concessions," contingency plans and bottom lines. Both sides just need to get their asses to the table and hammer this out.

All we're seeing now is posturing and a pathetic Richard measuring contest and it's insulting to the fans!

Seriously?

Both sides already know or have a solid idea of their "concessions," contingency plans and bottom lines. Both sides just need to get their asses to the table and hammer this out.

All we're seeing now is posturing and a pathetic Richard measuring contest and it's insulting to the fans!
- As_I_See_It

Both sides need to decide amongst themselves that they are willing to actually negotiate first.

meeting just for the sake of meeting when neither side wants to budge is nothing but posturing aswell.

It's the same thing, dude.

And it's spelled posturing.
- Phenom

positioning just sounded weird

If they have nothing new to say, then why meet?
- Oilhab

They should have something new to say if they are trying to get back as quick as possible. Which clearly they are not. Cause both sides don't give a (frank) and won't change there proposals and make a fair deal for both sides.

Totally agreed. My point more relates to the absolute belief both seem to have that they are correct.

The NHL firmly believes there system is the only way to do things.
The NHLPA believes there system is the only way to address the systematic problems that plague the NHL.

The biggest damn problem is that they can't even agree how to fix things. If we at least had that starting ground I would be optimistic that numbers could be figured out.

But when you have Fehr stand up and say they are like 17% apart and then Gary comes on an hour later and says they're only 7% apart you have to wonder if they are even listening let alone looking at the same pages.

There has to be such a fundamental shift in thinking that I don't forsee any changes for a long time. You don't make this dramatic of a negotiating change unless things are absolutely dire and are absolutely at the 11th hour.

It will go awhile. It won't be pretty and this time the NHL and it's players will have to answer for there stupidity and greed.
- Canadian kid

not sure you should believe either one of them... The NHLPA is trying to make the owners look like dictators.. To me it seems like the players are being childish

I thinking postruing is the word you were looking for
- Oilhab

I think postURing is the word you were looking for...

whats a marathon session to them? 3 hours?