I'd rather watch a Victoria Royals game than go see that.
- LeftCoaster

I'd rather watch you watch the Victoria Royals game.

The MLB owners all caved in to Fehr
- faceto27

My grandfather rode a horse and buggy to work....things change.

I'd rather watch you watch the Victoria Royals game.
- AdamFrench

That's a little creepy

disagree Dozzer........ Not a snowballs chance in hell do the owners cancel another season.

That would be SUICIDE for the league in the US. It will always come back in Canada, but it would not survive again in the US.

Bettman's grand plan from the time he started was to increase the exposure via expansion to the south. He finally has a TV contract, somewhat, and NBC is planning its kickoff with a big splash the day after the US Thanksgiving. The Winter Classic is a huge ratings boost for the NHL and NBC. If you think Bettman is going to jeopardize all that, then think again.

MLB is the only league without a Cap. That is because Fehr would not back down. The players hired Fehr not to back down.

NOT A CHANCE, Bettman cancels the season.



- faceto27

This

The NHLPA know this and this is why they are now playing hardball

That is just wrong.

The NHL should be more concerned about teams and fans hoping to lose so they can get an extras lottery ball than if some team found a loophole . Tor fans are more worried that the Hawks have given Hossa a twelve year deal instead of five more years of finishing in the bottom five.


That is a true statement of the shape of the game.
- VANTEL

I dont care about contracts or the Hawks or Luongo.

I care about the leafs getting a true superstar, someone who can replace what we lost with Sundin. It is now obvious to me Toronto can no longer get that player through a trade or Free agency

So have we heard any details of what pieces would be involved with this alleged trade Shannon is talking about ?

thats hilarious.. how much money do they think they are going to make?

wont sign off on the CBA and then go and make even less money in a league that none of the players would even try that hard in..

its nothing more than a threat.. just stupid posturing trying to get the owners to crack.
- Dozzer

The last lockout was 8 years ago . The NHLPA hd plenty of time to create a back up plan.

It doesn't matter anyways .Bettman is under too musch pressure to allow it to happen.

I dont care about contracts or the Hawks or Luongo.

I care about the leafs getting a true superstar, someone who can replace what we lost with Sundin. It is now obvious to me Toronto can no longer get that player through a trade or Free agency
- senstroll

Burke will never see things that way, he's old school, loves a deal. Not a build through the draft kinda guy. He'll try to the very bitter end of his days to do it his way.

The owners can and will outwait the players. As you've mentioned, they didn't get rich owning a hockey franchise. They were filthy rich far before they bought the team.
- LeftCoaster

exactly.. they might miss the tax write off.. but they wont miss it that much

I dont care about contracts or the Hawks or Luongo.

I care about the leafs getting a true superstar, someone who can replace what we lost with Sundin. It is now obvious to me Toronto can no longer get that player through a trade or Free agency
- senstroll

Toronto should be the easiest place to attract a superstar.Get rid of that Dinosaur Burke.

Bring in Luongo and build around him. Franson and Gardiner are good starts on the D . JVR will help too. No need to tank. Getzlaf and Perry are UFAs next year. Trade for them this year.

The MLB owners all caved in to Fehr
- faceto27

But they also make twice as much money as the NHL.

It's a 7.7 billion dollar business.

exactly.. they might miss the tax write off.. but they wont miss it that much
- Dozzer

No dozzer, the greater risk is to the value of the franchise. If the league is not healthy due to another cancelled season, then each and everyone of those franchises in the US will plunge in value.

that is the big risk for the owners.

Mike Augello: Will Luongo End Up In Toronto?
- mikeinbuffalo

No, thank you.

The next CBA will end retirement deals one way or another and will punish existing ones. There's no way I want to be a part of that toxic mess.

Question for all the Leaf fans.......

If Markham does indeed get a team, would you switch your allegiance to them or do you just plain and simple bleed blue and white?

I live close to Markham, but because I've rooted for the Leafs for 40 years, I could never switch.
- faceto27

There's way too much blue and white kool-aid in your system to change.

Me? Yeah, I'd definitely consider jumping ship, especially if the ownership structure and management were competent and not a complete dog and pony show like they've been for the last 7 years or so around here. From lockout to lockout, an entire contract - and not ONE single playoff game.

But they also make twice as much money as the NHL.

It's a 7.7 billion dollar business.
- Pecafan Fan

Agreed, they are all far richer than the NHL owners, so if they couldn't outlast Fehr, you think the NHL with its shaky franchises in the US will? Doubt it

exactly.. they might miss the tax write off.. but they wont miss it that much
- Dozzer

Gary Bettman's vision of the NHL may die, but the owners individually are self serving. The teams that matter could care less if Phoenix Florida or Nashville fold IMO.

I hope this happens - it would limit the Cap space Toronto has to make moves by adding Lou's salary, they would lose a good young player (Kadri or Colbourne) and Lou doesn't seem to be the goalie he was even a couple of seasons ago - still a huge upgrade for Toronto in net and he will be their best player - who knows a move might do him good but something about him doesn't say franchise goalie like it once did.

Agreed, they are all far richer than the NHL owners, so if they couldn't outlast Fehr, you think the NHL with its shaky franchises in the US will? Doubt it
- faceto27

The NHL can not win this one. That is why the NHL blinked first the other day.

Agreed, they are all far richer than the NHL owners, so if they couldn't outlast Fehr, you think the NHL with its shaky franchises in the US will? Doubt it
- faceto27

Hopefully the league is smaller as a result of this! Hopefully some of the owners bail, which would make the league as a whole stronger.

Here are the big trigger points........

First will be the US thanksgiving. NBC planning a big day of hockey to kick off their television schedule of games. If NHL cancels that day, it won't be good. The next biggie would be the Winter Classic, if that gets canceled, then I think the season is toast.

The NBA last year was in the same situation at this time of the year, then magically everything came together so that the big Xmas day broadcast of games could still be shown.

US Thanksgiving is going to be very important.
- faceto27

Thanks, Kreskin. That's some highly original analysis right there. Watch out, Bobby Mac and Double D!

The last lockout was 8 years ago . The NHLPA hd plenty of time to create a back up plan.

It doesn't matter anyways .Bettman is under too musch pressure to allow it to happen.
- VANTEL

pressure? from whom?

Gary Bettman's vision of the NHL may die, but the owners individually are self serving. The teams that matter could care less if Phoenix Florida or Nashville fold IMO.
- LeftCoaster

oh they would care alright

without those markets you dont get a major TV deal in the states.

Hopefully the league is smaller as a result of this! Hopefully some of the owners bail, which would make the league as a whole stronger.
- LeftCoaster

I agree.......... in my opinion there is a host of teams that should fold. Which would make the league as a whole stronger. Its Bettman and his plan for a huge tv contract that has caused this poop

Thanks, Kreskin. That's some highly original analysis right there. Watch out, Bobby Mac and Double D!
- triggermartin

You do realize you have the insight of a pea brain

No dozzer, the greater risk is to the value of the franchise. If the league is not healthy due to another cancelled season, then each and everyone of those franchises in the US will plunge in value.

that is the big risk for the owners.
- faceto27

those franchises are nothing more than tax write offs.

lose value... yeah that sucks.. but its still better than losing money

you just watch.. the owners have far more time to sit and wait... the players have a shelf life.. the owners do not.