I know there has been other posts in the past few months, but meetings have started really picking up again and any hope for a season rests on the next couple weeks.
I know I am 1 of about 2000 people in the US that actually gives a shit, but maybe we can actually have a somewhat sustainable discussion/update thread here on our very own OKP (and not just have to keep it about the negotiations).
The NHL is on the verge of becoming a shell of itself. I'm just one person, but I was close to getting season tickets and now I have absolutely zero desire to.
---------- Other Hockey Stuff ----------
Has anyone been following their team's players around the world? I've certainly enjoyed watching the AHL and all of our almost-ready prospects in Grand Rapids.
This link is really cool. It shows where a lot of the players are playing and gives a little blurb about them:
3. "That is exactly where I am at with it" In response to Reply # 1
I can't even count the number of conversations I have had about the legitimacy and greatness of the NHL...
And now, I'm just not caring about it like I used to. I'll always come back to the game, but I'm certainly not going to be as invested as I was. I can't handle a lockout every 5-10 years.
They are making themselves so irrelevant at this point.
2. "I am not totally up on the decertification talk. I will say one good thi..." In response to Reply # 0
is that anyone i have talked to from the word GO here has said they expected a late december start. perhaps the nhl will open on boxing day the way the nba opened on christmas.
three management types, two equipment type guys and half a dozen players predicted as much just in casual convos i have had about it. i honestly have not been doing much reporting during the lockout (what i have has been junior players) but i have stayed up with some guys. the kings and ducks were, in large part, at TSC today but i didn't have much reason to go. talked to a couple kings recently, they seemed literally confused by the delay talks and some of the infighting on both sides.
i still think the season can be saved. i would love to see a 50% schedule and then all 32 teams make the playoffs.
on the other hand, i would almost be relieved if they canceled the season. it would suck if it meant we were robbed of another year of selanne, alfredsson, brodeur, jagr, whitney et al, but there is at least a decent chance any given guy (and maybe all of them) return. the layoff is good for old legs, shit it saved selanne's career once and definitely extended whitney's (among others). i don't like partial seasons and gimmicks, kind of an insult to past champions. plus i am tired of being dicked around!
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
4. "Thanks for the insight" In response to Reply # 2
Yeah, I was just reading about the decertification word being tossed around. Curious what the outcome would be if they went through with it. I know it is more about the message than actually disbanding or whatever.
I do truly believe there is hope for that December start, but someone has to stop being a dick about it and get it done. They already lost what would probably be the biggest Winter Classic yet, which to me has pretty much made this season a joke already.
All I can think about is that on local talk radio the NHL lockout is just not being covered. No one cares. And now I'm reading that the newest proposal is for 5 years. FIVE YEARS??? Why, so we can have another lockout over a couple grand per player?
7. "RE: NHL Lockout - Holiday Edition" In response to Reply # 0
in the early days of the lock out Bettman gave a really smug answer to the question if he was scared fans wouldn't return this time. He said we have the best fans in the world and they will be back. I read an article last month showing every teams ticket sales the year before the lock out and the year after. Very few teams had a decrease. Most decreases were next to nothing. If I remember right the Kings lost 50 ticket sales over the previous season. It took baseball years to recover from 1994. Hockey fans just return to business as usual once the gates open.
November 8th, 2005 The greatest night in the history of GD!
11. "direct communication, need as much as possible right now" In response to Reply # 10
there's infighting on both sides and the representative system has obviously been failing. kind of an odd mix of owners, i am a bit surprised snider and leopold missed opportunities to get involved.
i've reached the point where i'd be relieved it they cancel the season. super short season packed into too little time? pass, that's lame, insult to past champions.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
13. "Meeting Wednesday, I mean it will be any day now but I doubt today" In response to Reply # 12
I would expect the NHLPA to counter and then the next offer they receive to basically be what's getting done. They still have a week before the deadline.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
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