NHL to reject NHLPA proposal

[coyoteshockeyfan]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=107996

Makes sense. Sure, the players offered a 24% rollback, but thats meaningless since the proposal didnt include anything to stop it from climbing back up like salaries have been for the last decade.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

This sucks! I want hockey back.

I wish the NFL would just buy the NHL and run it like they run football.

 

[ajcardfan]

I wish the NFL would just buy the NHL and run it like they run football.

Yeah, maybe the NHL should have a salary cap. Has anyone thought of that yet?

 

[Stronso]

Yeah, maybe the NHL should have a salary cap. Has anyone thought of that yet?

uuuuummmmmm, yes.





That is what the NHL wants and what the NHLPA does not want

 

[ajcardfan]

uuuuummmmmm, yes.





That is what the NHL wants and what the NHLPA does not want

I was being a smart ass. I should've put a smiley on it.

With the Cards losing streak, I really wish the Coyotes were providing another outlet in addition to the Suns.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

uuuuummmmmm, yes.





That is what the NHL wants and what the NHLPA does not want

I'm with the NHL on this one.

I kind of like the idea of the NFL taking over...like a big corporate merger. Unprecedented!

 

[bratwurst]

They are going to declare the season a wash and try to dissolve the union. Then the union will take them to court saying that they didn't bargain in good faith. This thing is going to get a lot more messy before it resolves itself.

I don't see how the players are going to win here. Eventually they will have to settle for something next year and the cards are heavily in the league's favor. One things for certain, they'll never get the money back that they lost this year in salary. And with most average player's careers not spanning a tremendous amount of time, that one year's lost wages is considerable. The guys who were on the bubble this year and won't be back with teams when the smoke clears are the biggest losers too, since they are missing their last chance at a paycheck and they probably don't have a big enough voice in the players union to really do much to be heard.

 

[bratwurst]

Rereading what I just wrote, it goes without saying that the real biggest losers here are actually the fans who love the game.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/story/7999427/1

NHLPA rejects NHL counteroffer.

 

[Stronso]

Rereading what I just wrote, it goes without saying that the real biggest losers here are actually the fans who love the game.

like me

 

[Bob Chebat]

Yes, the fans are losing, but the ones this is hurting more are the people who work at the games. The vendors, the businesses around the venues, these people are all taking a bigger hit they cannot afford.

I disagree with the league's position on the player proposal. Sure, the salaries COULD climb up agian, but only if the owners let it. They are their own worst enemy. They'll get their cap, then they'll do everything they can to get around it.

The luxury tax the players proposed would force the owners to keep their finances in order. If they want to pay the money, there will be a penalty attached to it.

It would also have given the owners six years to investigate another avenue rather than insisting on a cap. I certainly don't side with either the owners or players, they are all being greedy, but I thought the players proposal to take a 24% salary cut was pretty generous. Of course they can afford to, most of them any way, but still, that is a big cut back and would have saved the NHL $270 million immediately, which is the number they claimed to lose last season.

I am glad I separated myself from this game three years ago. I saw this coming and right now, I barely miss it. The NHL is digging it's own grave right now. When the sport comes back, are the owners expecting the fans to continue to pay the ridiculous ticket prices to watch them? There are going to be a ton of empty seats.

 

[NickelBack]

The sad thing is nobody even cares that the `Yotes aren't playing.

D'Backs, Cards, or Suns this would be front page of the sports section each and every day.

 

[bratwurst]

Well thats exactly one of the largest roots of the NHL's problem. They just don't have the fan exposure and basically, the TV contract that would make them stop playing 2nd fiddle to the other 3 leagues.

 

[Bob Chebat]

Well thats exactly one of the largest roots of the NHL's problem. They just don't have the fan exposure and basically, the TV contract that would make them stop playing 2nd fiddle to the other 3 leagues.

You need a TV audience to get a good TV contract, and the NHL is not a TV friendly game. Those who do not understand it or cannot follow it on TV simply don't watch it.

They had a few decent TV deals but since the viewership went in the toilet, they lost them. The NHL thrived in the 90's due to expansion. Ridiculous franchise fees padded the pockets of the owners and they blew all the money on salaries. Now they are paying the price for it.

This is a sport that could thrive with about 20-24 teams. The expansion diluted the talent pool, introduced the trapping defense and killed the game.

I have no sympathy for the owners. They made the players wealthy enough to allow them to sit out as long as it takes. I have no sympathy for the players either, they are all paid very well to do something they love, or at least you would think they love it.

If the lockout/strike/work stoppage goes on long enough, the league will lose franchises, players will have less jobs, and the owners will have to give tickets away to get people back in the seats. In the long run, the fans may be the winners in this.

Also, if the league opens the doors for the players to come back, they may very well be able to break the union. I do believe there are players willing to cross the line and get back on the ice.

If the league really did lose $270 million last season, then the owners are saving money with every cancelled game. They are in no hurry.

What a joke.

 

[Cland]

The sad thing is nobody even cares that the `Yotes aren't playing.

Speak for yourself NickelBack.

 

[WizardOfAz]

Speak for yourself NickelBack.

Hey, I like the NHL as much as anybody else. But look at the sports sections, SportsCenter, or listen to talk radio.....it's becoming a non-story real fast.

 

[Cland]

Hey, I like the NHL as much as anybody else. But look at the sports sections, SportsCenter, or listen to talk radio.....it's becoming a non-story real fast.

I never said it was the leading story or anything like that so I'm not sure what you're talking about. I'm just pointing out a stupid blanket statement. There are plenty of people who care a lot about the Yotes and/or the game of hockey.

 

[NickelBack]

There are plenty of people who care a lot about the Yotes and/or the game of hockey.

No, there really aren't. If there were plenty, they wouldn't be losing their collective a$$es year after year would they?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

No, there really aren't. If there were plenty, they wouldn't be losing their collective a$$es year after year would they?

Nobody cares? Then explain how NHL attendance is pretty close to NBA attendance?

 

[Cland]

No, there really aren't. If there were plenty, they wouldn't be losing their collective a$$es year after year would they?

What the hell are you talking about losing their collective asses? If you're talking about money take a look at the amount of revenue that goes to salaries. Hence the reason for the lock out. And I don't see how you're making a connection between a team losing money and apathy. That's a bit of stretch.

I never said the NHL is a mainstream popular sport. But saying that no one cares about it is an ignorant statement at best.

 

[Hordispack]

The sad thing is nobody even cares that the `Yotes aren't playing.

D'Backs, Cards, or Suns this would be front page of the sports section each and every day.

You are so right. Majority of my friend didnt even realize there is not a season going on. And these guys think they should be paid more?? No one even knows who they are!

 

[MigratingOsprey]

hockey is a great game ... it just doesn't hold mass appeal and doesn't translate the best onto TV

it's a great live sport though and does have a very dedicated fanbase

they just lack the casual fans that are willing to follow it on TV ... the types that can help generate multi-million dollar TV contracts ... the ones that become the life blood of many leagues