Ian Esplen: Retribution? & Caring Retribution? & Caring

I was totally excited for the upcoming year thinking they'd get a CBA hammered out, my Canucks would be well rested and take another run at Lord Stanley's Cup.

Keith won't fight anyone, has he ever been in an NHL fight? How about Daniel grow a pair of balls and challenge Keith himself? Who cares if he loses, standing up for himself goes a long ways with your teammates!

i want to see them go after that punk HARD.....f..k keith up good!

I was totally excited for the upcoming year thinking they'd get a CBA hammered out, my Canucks would be well rested and take another run at Lord Stanley's Cup.

Keith won't fight anyone, has he ever been in an NHL fight? How about Daniel grow a pair of balls and challenge Keith himself? Who cares if he loses, standing up for himself goes a long ways with your teammates!
- LeftCoaster

I believe Burrows and Keith were given fighting majors but I'm not sure either threw a punch. It was more a fishhook and hair pulling duel

Keith's fight card

http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/1963

Anyone hear Bieksa's comments yesterday? Very interesting.

The PA believes the NHL has a fixed date on when they would like to start the season. That's why negotiations have gone nowhere. When we approach that magic date the NHL will start to negotiate in earnest according to Kevin.

Anyone hear Bieksa's comments yesterday? Very interesting.

The PA believes the NHL has a fixed date on when they would like to start the season. That's why negotiations have gone nowhere. When we approach that magic date the NHL will start to negotiate in earnest according to Kevin.
- bloatedmosquito

Conspiracy theory 101?

Anyone hear Bieksa's comments yesterday? Very interesting.

The PA believes the NHL has a fixed date on when they would like to start the season. That's why negotiations have gone nowhere. When we approach that magic date the NHL will start to negotiate in earnest according to Kevin.
- bloatedmosquito

I'm not sure I buy that. If they have a date in mind, why not just do the deal now, get fans interested and start on Dec 1st or whatever that date is.

And I can't see a Dec 1st start because imo, teams needs a 2-3 week camp or there will be a ton of injuries but tehn again the NHL is seems to be ok with its stars being hurt.

The reason there is no deal in place is because neither side want to give in yet.

I'm not sure I buy that. If they have a date in mind, why not just do the deal now, get fans interested and start on Dec 1st or whatever that date is.

And I can't see a Dec 1st start because imo, teams needs a 2-3 week camp or there will be a ton of injuries but tehn again the NHL is seems to be ok with its stars being hurt.

The reason there is no deal in place is because neither side want to give in yet.
- IanEsplen

I think I read this morning they signed a deal on January 11th and got a 48 game schedule in, in 94/95, maybe something around then?

My time on here has been dwindling down to few and far between and seeing this blog doesn't help any. Really Ian? I like almost all your blogs but this is really grasping at stuff to write about I think. I don't think they are even close to playing and frankly, for me, as each day passes I could give 2 shyts. I lose interest with each passing day and am almost to the point of saying F you NHL for doing this again. It really is sad.

I think I read this morning they signed a deal on January 11th and got a 48 game schedule in, in 94/95, maybe something around then?
- LeftCoaster

How do you think you read? Either you did or you didn't.

Anyone hear Bieksa's comments yesterday? Very interesting.

The PA believes the NHL has a fixed date on when they would like to start the season. That's why negotiations have gone nowhere. When we approach that magic date the NHL will start to negotiate in earnest according to Kevin.
- bloatedmosquito

they could be right on this OR they could be simply telling the players this so they continue to think a better offer is coming their way when it really isnt.

either way helps to maintain the players resolve. if the PA told them that its not likely to get much better how would the PA respond to that?

How do you think you read? Either you did or you didn't.
- powerenforcer

Thank you Mr. Literal.

How do you think you read? Either you did or you didn't.
- powerenforcer

It's early, my brain is a little foggy from flying half way around the world two days ago. Cut me some slack would ya!!

How do you think you read? Either you did or you didn't.
- powerenforcer

Are you (frank)ing serious? Brilliant post, Yoda.

Several years from now I'll have no problem remembering whether I read this or not

My time on here has been dwindling down to few and far between and seeing this blog doesn't help any. Really Ian? I like almost all your blogs but this is really grasping at stuff to write about I think. I don't think they are even close to playing and frankly, for me, as each day passes I could give 2 shyts. I lose interest with each passing day and am almost to the point of saying F you NHL for doing this again. It really is sad.
- CanUSA17

Bottom of the barrel for sure.

Tomorrow I have a better topic though and then Joey on Sunday.

they could be right on this OR they could be simply telling the players this so they continue to think a better offer is coming their way when it really isnt.

either way helps to maintain the players resolve. if the PA told them that its not likely to get much better how would the PA respond to that?
- Dozzer

I've tried to rationalize what these jokers are doing and it still does not compute.
It's the arrogance of it all that upsets me the most.

Conspiracy theory 101?
- LeftCoaster

It's more like: Propaganda and Deception 101.

Anyone hear Bieksa's comments yesterday? Very interesting.

The PA believes the NHL has a fixed date on when they would like to start the season. That's why negotiations have gone nowhere. When we approach that magic date the NHL will start to negotiate in earnest according to Kevin.
- bloatedmosquito

Not very interesting...totally assinine is more like it. Everytime a player opens their mouths right now I want to put my fist in it. They are getting some truely Horrible advice and counsel from their leaders. How is it that virtually every past player has come out and said its not worth it and this current group doesn't listen? They have already lost more than they could ever gain back, and its only going to get worse.

It's early, my brain is a little foggy from flying half way around the world two days ago. Cut me some slack would ya!!
- LeftCoaster

Didn't know you had jet lag. Slack cut.

Conspiracy theory 101?
- LeftCoaster

They're waiting until Dec 21 passes to see if the world is going to end as we know it? Did the Mayans play field hockey?

Not very interesting...totally assinine is more like it. Everytime a player opens their mouths right now I want to put my fist in it. They are getting some truely Horrible advice and counsel from their leaders. How is it that virtually every past player has come out and said its not worth it and this current group doesn't listen? They have already lost more than they could ever gain back, and its only going to get worse.
- Iggysbff

I don't know if that's true. Trust me, I don't support the players in this CBA negotiation. But I do remember (as we approached this season) some talk about certain team owners lose huge money at the beginning of the season due to conflicts with other sports. These particular teams only start making money in the 3rd quarter of the season (after new year).

If there's going to be a lockout and games are missed then why would NHL owners want to rush back and start playing at a time of the season when viewership is at its worst due to competition?

I do agree with you that the PA's getting horrible advise.

Another gem from last night...

Did anyone catch Selane's comment regarding his frustration with the lockout? He mentioned that 240 registered NHL players never played a single shift again after the last lockout.

That's over 30% of the entire union never played in the NHL again

They're waiting until Dec 21 passes to see if the world is going to end as we know it? Did the Mayans play field hockey?
- JIMI-JAMES

Another gem from last night...

Did anyone catch Selane's comment regarding his frustration with the lockout? He mentioned that 240 registered NHL players never played a single shift again after the last lockout.

That's over 30% of the entire union never played in the NHL again
- bloatedmosquito

Can anyone back that statement up? Very interesting.

Another gem from last night...

Did anyone catch Selane's comment regarding his frustration with the lockout? He mentioned that 240 registered NHL players never played a single shift again after the last lockout.

That's over 30% of the entire union never played in the NHL again
- bloatedmosquito

He also said he may retire if this carries on.