John Jaeckel: Hogs 0-3/Prospects/Lockout

JJ, what do you think about Ovechkin's comments on staying in the KHL if the players have to take big paycuts? Would it help as a negotiating point for the PA if more European players started making similar comments? One would think that if ESPN is already broadcasting KHL games, the NHL wouldn't want to give their next best competition any more talent (or advertising/broadcast revenue) than they already have.

JJ, what do you think about Ovechkin's comments on staying in the KHL if the players have to take big paycuts? Would it help as a negotiating point for the PA if more European players started making similar comments? One would think that if ESPN is already broadcasting KHL games, the NHL wouldn't want to give their next best competition any more talent (or advertising/broadcast revenue) than they already have.
- Lash8

First of all to have only one comment on the Chicago blog after one hour shows where the interest of the game has fallen to.

What would happen to Washington if they lost OV? I know he had a soso year last year but he is big ticket seller in Washington.Would they still be on the hook for his salary against the cap?

If they did replace him it would free up 9 mil but there are not that many quality players available that are not under contract.

IMO I hope he aborts . If the NHL lost a few stars ,the owners may think twice next time they choose a lockout.

IMO I hope he aborts . If the NHL lost a few stars ,the owners may think twice next time they choose a lockout.
- VANTEL

I hope it doesn't come to that, but it would be a punch in the league's gut for sure. I don't know if it's just me, or Bettman, or the owners, but in both the current and 2004 lockout, everything the league does and says seems to have a huge level of arrogance to it. They're not invincible.

if all of november is lost next friday why would owner then want to start in december? already losing money will want to stick it to the players not start until january 50 game season

I am not sure of the numbers but the players this time around are a lot more prepared.There is a huge amount of them that are being paid this year because of bonuses and LTIR. There are also more playing in Europe .They also recieved an escrow check last week to ease the pain.

I think the NHL is under more pressure sign a deal. I would imagine that the city of Glendale is screaming at Bettman ,and Minny and Nsh are paying huge bonus checks without any hockey.The NBC must be asking Bettman is the winter classic on or off.

There was also a poll done in the city of Washington and it advised the NHL to get ths over soon.

I think the players feel fine with twisting the screws a bit

First of all to have only one comment on the Chicago blog after one hour shows where the interest of the game has fallen to.

What would happen to Washington if they lost OV? I know he had a soso year last year but he is big ticket seller in Washington.Would they still be on the hook for his salary against the cap?

If they did replace him it would free up 9 mil but there are not that many quality players available that are not under contract.

IMO I hope he aborts . If the NHL lost a few stars ,the owners may think twice next time they choose a lockout.
- VANTEL

Uhhhh - which game was that?

Uhhhh - which game was that?
- StLBravesFan

I was referring to this blog after 1 hour only had one comment. All I am saying is fans are becoming tired of the NHL lockout.

I was referring to this blog after 1 hour only had one comment. All I am saying is fans are becoming tired of the NHL lockout.
- VANTEL

I know - but without real games and/or player movement....

if all of november is lost next friday why would owner then want to start in december? already losing money will want to stick it to the players not start until january 50 game season
- Kopitar1

Can still get the Winter Classic in

Can still get the Winter Classic in
- John Jaeckel

JJ, with no revenue sharing in the NHL what good does the winter classic do for the teams not involved in it? I know it's big pub for the league but is it enough to make the rest of the owners cave and make a deal just to have the game played?

Can still get the Winter Classic in
- John Jaeckel

I heard on NHL Centre Ice radio yesterday that all of December and the Winter Classic could be cancelled as early as next week.

JJ, with no revenue sharing in the NHL what good does the winter classic do for the teams not involved in it? I know it's big pub for the league but is it enough to make the rest of the owners cave and make a deal just to have the game played?
- PaulNewman

That would very much depend upon how the money is divided. If it is similar to the all star game, then the league makes a ton on the event and the host loses money.

That would very much depend upon how the money is divided. If it is similar to the all star game, then the league makes a ton on the event and the host loses money.
- NewToHockey

I hear that, but is it enough to make all the owners decide to cave in and make a deal with the NHLPA just to have the Classic played? I really don't think so. I also don't think the players will cave to have the game played. My opinion is this season will be toast unless the players give in and I don't think they will. Sad day in the Hockey World!!

I heard on NHL Centre Ice radio yesterday that all of December and the Winter Classic could be cancelled as early as next week.
- Ogilthorpe2

If the Winter Classic is cancelled the season will be as well. This just really SUCKS!!! Bettman needs to be.... Well if I say what I really think I might end up in Guantanamo with all the Al-Qaeda opps!

I was referring to this blog after 1 hour only had one comment. All I am saying is fans are becoming tired of the NHL lockout.
- VANTEL

Fans will find other things to occupy their time. The Bears will get all the attention here and except for us die hards the NHL won't be missed. The NHL could screw up a one car funneral.

I heard on NHL Centre Ice radio yesterday that all of December and the Winter Classic could be cancelled as early as next week.
- Ogilthorpe2

I can't believe the owners are that stupid to let this thing get to the point where they have to cancel one of their biggest marketing opportunities that probably will draw 100,000 at the Big House and have a national audience. Wait what am I thinking we're talking about the NHL.

I can't believe the owners are that stupid to let this thing get to the point where they have to cancel one of their biggest marketing opportunities that probably will draw 100,000 at the Big House and have a national audience. Wait what am I thinking we're talking about the NHL.
- jhawk159

If you get past the crap both sides spew mainly for the media to absorb and write stories about, the 2 sides arent all that far from getting a deal done. The NHLPA knows they aren't getting better than a 50/50 split going forward and the Owners have a big decision to make about honouring the $1B in contracts that they rushed to sign before the old CBA expired.

The 2 sides are only about $50M apart now on the revenue sharing issue.

Most of the rest of it is window dressing, stuff that can be covered in a day or 2.

I think they are playing by Nov. 15; 70 game schedule.

If you get past the crap both sides spew mainly for the media to absorb and write stories about, the 2 sides arent all that far from getting a deal done. The NHLPA knows they aren't getting better than a 50/50 split going forward and the Owners have a big decision to make about honouring the $1B in contracts that they rushed to sign before the old CBA expired.

The 2 sides are only about $50M apart now on the revenue sharing issue.

Most of the rest of it is window dressing, stuff that can be covered in a day or 2.

I think they are playing by Nov. 15; 70 game schedule.
- RickJ

Obviously, I hope you're right...I have my doubts though. Never underestimate he stupidity caused by the egos of "powerful" D-bags.

Obviously, I hope you're right...I have my doubts though. Never underestimate he stupidity caused by the egos of "powerful" D-bags.
- Ogilthorpe2

Would I wager on a settlement date? No. Do I think it will happen soon? Yes, because both sides really want to play and the NFL and the NBA got settlements before having to cancel a season.

What really irks me is scum bag owners like Craig Leopold particularly and Ed Snyder and Jeremy Jacobs too who signed or offered huge money to FA's and now sit at the negotiating table looking for a discount on what they agreed to just weeks ago.

One thing that can be said about the Hawks - they were fiscally responsible at the trade deadline and during free agency knowing what the owners were going after in a new CBA. They will be able to deal with a reduced salary cap number if that materializes.

Fans will find other things to occupy their time. The Bears will get all the attention here and except for us die hards the NHL won't be missed. The NHL could screw up a one car funneral.

- jhawk159

That being their own.....

Would I wager on a settlement date? No. Do I think it will happen soon? Yes, because both sides really want to play and the NFL and the NBA got settlements before having to cancel a season.

What really irks me is scum bag owners like Craig Leopold particularly and Ed Snyder and Jeremy Jacobs too who signed or offered huge money to FA's and now sit at the negotiating table looking for a discount on what they agreed to just weeks ago.
One thing that can be said about the Hawks - they were fiscally responsible at the trade deadline and during free agency knowing what the owners were going after in a new CBA. They will be able to deal with a reduced salary cap number if that materializes.
- RickJ

Oh yeah...big mistake and highlights the sheer lunacy and hubris of the owners....let alone a complete lack of integrity and good faith.

Until they drop that demand to roll back contracts....no agreement will be at hand.

I heard on NHL Centre Ice radio yesterday that all of December and the Winter Classic could be cancelled as early as next week.
- Ogilthorpe2

That could be driven by scheduling, planning and other logistics with respect to to the networks and stadium/rink usage.

The owners are pathetic...they come in w/ their save the season offer as it were (what a crock) and then shoot down three different responses by the players in what an hour. The league certainly put their worst foot forward on that one. The last proposal by the players was a 50/50 split just honor existing contracts and lo and behold Gary and co. couldn't wait to blow out of there fast enough. It sure seems like ownership doesn't want to negociate they just want the players to take whatever last minute deal they throw on the table.

As far as the Winter Classic - one can only imagine how much money that would bring to Detroit and the surrounding areas. Do we really think they're going to cancel that game? Its the league show piece and well over 100,000 paying customers will be at the big house. Does Gary really want to do that?
Just another ploy by his masters.

I really thought the comissioner was supposed to actually care about the welfare and integrity of the game, but its plain to see Gary is just the owners lap dog.