Mind you Fehr is also working in a time frame , he has until january 2nd or else he's gone from the barganing table.
- Alexzanki

Not true. Only if the NHLPA decides to file the DOI.

Except the 48 game season in 94/95 was probably the best NHL hockey I have seen since every game meant something.
- opeth_pa

I dont get the big issue with a 48 game season either. Less margin of error, exciting hockey. Perfect.

That and the fact the playoffs, which determine a cup champ, will not be impacted.

God Damn it really?!

UPDATE(11:50 PM EST): NHLPA drafting a counterproposal this afternoon, per Nick Kypreos.
- mrhattrick27

FFS, let me guess, they will just go back to demanding all of the things they want on their terms, the NHL will get pissed off again, and all the moron players will whine about how they tried to get a deal done and the NHL is bleeding them dry. then they will pose with stacks of money in vegas.

Except the 48 game season in 94/95 was probably the best NHL hockey I have seen since every game meant something.
- opeth_pa

I don't agree. By the time most players found their legs the playoffs were starting. Plus whoever wins the cup will not get full credit, it will be "the team that won in that half season". I of course as an Islander fan will be more than happy with a half a cup.

Not true. Only if the NHLPA decides to file the DOI.
- MJL

Here's a question.. Why would the PA still decide to file the Disclaimer of Interest? It's clear that the owners continue to push for a season to be played. Filing a DOI now, kills whatever fan support the PA had.

Not true. Only if the NHLPA decides to file the DOI.
- MJL

They would lose all credibility if they dont , it will just show the owners the PA is running scared.

I don't agree. By the time most players found their legs the playoffs were starting. Plus whoever wins the cup will not get full credit, it will be "the team that won in that half season". I of course as an Islander fan will be more than happy with a half a cup.
- Cptmjl

Don't think Brodeur says he won 2 and 1/2 Cups.

I dont get the big issue with a 48 game season either. Less margin of error, exciting hockey. Perfect.

That and the fact the playoffs, which determine a cup champ, will not be impacted.
- systemtool

I actually love the fact that hockey has a long season and 82 games leading up to the playoffs. The cup is the hardest award to achieve in sports as far as I'm concerned and it's what makes this sport so awesome. A 48 game season cheapens it.

Here's a question.. Why would the PA still decide to file the Disclaimer of Interest? It's clear that the owners continue to push for a season to be played. Filing a DOI now, kills whatever fan support the PA had.
- PatC80

At this point I think they have zero fan support , the last of it got vaporised when they refused the owners last offer.

Here's a question.. Why would the PA still decide to file the Disclaimer of Interest? It's clear that the owners continue to push for a season to be played. Filing a DOI now, kills whatever fan support the PA had.
- PatC80

I think the NHL deserves credit for compromising and getting dialogue started again. I think the NHLPA needs to work now to move towards a deal that is obviously there to be made. How many times can you go to that well and expect the NHL to keep making a better offer? I think at this point any talk of a DOI is unneccessary. And I would be extremely pissed if the NHLPA doesn't work reasonably to a deal and instead goes the DOI route.

Don't think Brodeur says he won 2 and 1/2 Cups.
- Feeling_Glucky

Who cares what that fat pig says? Hockeybuzz posters are all that matters!

They would lose all credibility if they dont , it will just show the owners the PA is running scared.
- Alexzanki

I disagree. If there is talks and meetings happening, no reason to do so. The always have the option to do so at a later time.

The Owners have again moved off of a take it or leave it offer, and from the "hill they would die on" to make a better offer to the players. And the PA is running scared?

I actually love the fact that hockey has a long season and 82 games leading up to the playoffs. The cup is the hardest award to achieve in sports as far as I'm concerned and it's what makes this sport so awesome. A 48 game season cheapens it.
- Cptmjl

The Cup is the hardest to win in sports because of the playoff format, not the 82 game schedule.

We all prefer 82 games over 48, but 48 is a long enough schedule to determine playoff worthy teams, while keeping the playoff structure in tact to ensure its not an easy win.

At this point I think they have zero fan support , the last of it got vaporised when they refused the owners last offer.
- Alexzanki

Neither side should have any support.

The Cup is the hardest to win in sports because of the playoff format, not the 82 game schedule.

We all prefer 82 games over 48, but 48 is a long enough schedule to determine playoff worthy teams, while keeping the playoff structure in tact to ensure its not an easy win.
- systemtool

You are right about the playoffs for sure but staying focused and staying healthy in 82 games is no easy feet for these guys. It's the whole culmination of the season as well as the playoffs.

Who cares what that fat pig says? Hockeybuzz posters are all that matters!
- Cptmjl

so what if this goes into next Nov and they have a 72 game season?


Is that a joke too?

Or a 66 game or a 62 game?

I think the NHL deserves credit for compromising and getting dialogue started again. I think the NHLPA needs to work now to move towards a deal that is obviously there to be made. How many times can you go to that well and expect the NHL to keep making a better offer? I think at this point any talk of a DOI is unneccessary. And I would be extremely pissed if the NHLPA doesn't work reasonably to a deal and instead goes the DOI route.
- MJL

It finally happened... I agree with you on something.

Filing the DOI now would be the dumbest move by the PA. If they do, then they deserve whatever they get. No court will rule in favour of the players, when only the league is making concessions.

With that said, I can't wait to see how the owners respond when the PA does file the disclaimer of interest.

You are right about the playoffs for sure but staying focused and staying healthy in 82 games is no easy feet for these guys. It's the whole culmination of the season as well as the playoffs.
- Cptmjl

I agree, but 48 games is plenty of lead up to the playoffs. Nobody laughs off football for the mere 16 games and 1 game playoffs.

I dont get the big issue with a 48 game season either. Less margin of error, exciting hockey. Perfect.

That and the fact the playoffs, which determine a cup champ, will not be impacted.
- systemtool

Too many games in a short time period for season ticket holders to attend. A poor market to sell the remaining tickets the season ticket holder can't attend. It really screws the big ticket NHL spenders, not a good thing.

FFS, let me guess, they will just go back to demanding all of the things they want on their terms, the NHL will get pissed off again, and all the moron players will whine about how they tried to get a deal done and the NHL is bleeding them dry. then they will pose with stacks of money in vegas.
- zedniksghost

I find it impossible to believe that Fehr is sooo stupid, so instead I have to say that he understands fan opinion and all that, but doesn't give even the slightest poop about opinion.

That being said there is no way they will feel 'pressured' into accepting this deal, and I'd bet once again that the NHLPA counter is a joke.

Owners are up to something, they've already given too much, constantly increasing better offers from their side... I could have seen these concessions offered if they reverted the 'make whole' amount back to what is was previous to their last offer, but the amount they are bending is just unbelievable.

If I had to guess, I would think the NHL added these concessions just to show they are *trying* to make a deal and that they added just enough to realize that the NHLPA will not accept it. Expect this deal to blow up with another stupid offer from the players side, and the league will be armed with all these "better and better deals" they tried to make throughout this process, when this goes to the COURTS.

Check.

Too many games in a short time period for season ticket holders to attend. A poor market to sell the remaining tickets the season ticket holder can't attend. It really screws the big ticket NHL spenders, not a good thing.
- Thesource

Its not going to be as compressed as you think. It might amount to one more game a week, but most likely one extra game every two weeks.

Its not going to be as compressed as you think. It might amount to one more game a week, but most likely one extra game every two weeks.
- systemtool

exactly

Neither side should have any support.
- systemtool

It's a business, in which 43% of the business is failing. If you're a hockey fan or an NHL fan you kinda have to lean toward the side of the owners. Players will come and go, but the teams will still stay. In order for this to happen the league needs to be healthy.

It finally happened... I agree with you on something.

Filing the DOI now would be the dumbest move by the PA. If they do, then they deserve whatever they get. No court will rule in favour of the players, when only the league is making concessions.

With that said, I can't wait to see how the owners respond when the PA does file the disclaimer of interest.
- PatC80

Well I can't say what any court would rule on. And it is certainly not only the League making concessions. I'd say it's the opposite. The League has certainly compromised and moved closer to the players position. But it's the players who are giving the concessions.

I find it impossible to believe that Fehr is sooo stupid, so instead I have to say that he understands fan opinion and all that, but doesn't give even the slightest poop about opinion.

That being said there is no way they will feel 'pressured' into accepting this deal, and I'd bet once again that the NHLPA counter is a joke.

Owners are up to something, they've already given too much, constantly increasing better offers from their side... I could have seen these concessions offered if they reverted the 'make whole' amount back to what is was previous to their last offer, but the amount they are bending is just unbelievable.

If I had to guess, I would think the NHL added these concessions just to show they are *trying* to make a deal and that they added just enough to realize that the NHLPA will not accept it. Expect this deal to blow up with another stupid offer from the players side, and the league will be armed with all these "better and better deals" they tried to make throughout this process, when this goes to the COURTS.

Check.
- Senators2112

So Fehr is stupid because he didnt accept the offer the owners made to him? The offer they made to him knowing he wouldnt accept it? Thats not the definition of stupid...but whatever floats your boat.