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Post by adnohr on Feb 4, 2005 19:42:18 GMT -4
Anyone out there have any thoughts or complaints about the lockout ? Do you think there will be a 2004-2005 season.
Personally I think its too late greedy players ruined the fun of the game. I don't feel one bit sorry for them I believe one player talking about they "low" amount of money they are currently getting said "I can't feed my dog for $10 000." I could feed my whole f*^kin' family for that.
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Post by IAMCAPER on Feb 5, 2005 12:20:42 GMT -4
I think the players and ownders should remember who it is, exactly, pays their salaries.....the fans!
With their sky-rocketing salaries it's not only the small market teams that can't afford them, the joe average fans can no longer afford the growing cost of NHL ticket prices. I'm not sure they realize that if teams end up folding because of their losing money, and if the league contracts to 26 or so teams, that 120 players are going to lose their jobs?
I side with the owners and I hope they force the salary cap issue. If the players don't want to play then let them go and bring in some replacement players who would more than appreciate their chance to live out their dream of playing in the NHL.
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Post by cbisle on Feb 6, 2005 21:48:38 GMT -4
To be absolutely honest, I'm just totally sick of both sides playing the PR game. They both want everyone to think that each side is really pushing to get a deal done. The fact is, both sides know there is no hope for this season to be saved. We'll be lucky if there is a 2005-2006 season.
What it comes down to is there are people on both sides who just don't give a f**k about the game of hockey. Garry Bettman and Bob Goodenow just care about the money and their pride. Think about it, the side that folds will be criticized for years. Neither Bettman nor Goodenow want to be in the negative spotlight, although they already are.
And it's really too bad when you consider that all six Canadian teams were profitable last year. Also, 45% of players in the NHL are Canadians. But somehow, the game has become Americanized and it's all about the clout and the corporate honchos pushing their weight around.
SOLUTION: LET THE PLAYERS VOTE
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Post by IAMCAPER on Feb 8, 2005 10:17:05 GMT -4
I agree with you cbisle, I think both sides should stop playing their childish games of "it's your fault" and "look what I can do" and get down to business. They should both suck it up, stop being big babies, and start focusing on getting the job done.
Personally, I'd rather watch replacement players than allow this foolishness go on.
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Post by cbisle on Feb 8, 2005 13:28:33 GMT -4
Right now I would love to watch replacement players. I religiously watch Friday night hockey on EastLink Television. It's really good hockey but I'd much rather watch professionals. Maybe Sidney Crosby could be one of those replacement players.
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Post by IAMCAPER on Feb 9, 2005 7:53:47 GMT -4
Crosby could certainly help draw a crowd! I would seriously bet money that a good portion of the regular NHL'ers (the ones making below league average salary) would take a crack at it.
LET THE PLAYERS VOTE!!!!
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Post by cbisle on Feb 9, 2005 19:19:35 GMT -4
In the meantime, maybe one of the networks will start carrying AHL games. I'm not too sure what the licensing regulations are, but people would watch. I mean there are a lot of young NHL'ers in the AHL right now like Jason Speeza, Jason King, and Matt Stajan. I know I would watch guys like that.
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Post by IAMCAPER on Feb 9, 2005 22:09:47 GMT -4
The networks, namely the NHL network, has been focusing quite a bit on the NCAA hockey which isn't too bad but not as good as the QMJHL, OHL, and WHL. They have been airing a lot of old games from the 80's and 90's as well and that has been great!
I don't think the AHL would get a license with a big network because the NHL and the NHLPA would try to put a stop to it.
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Post by cbisle on Feb 9, 2005 23:26:36 GMT -4
So typical of the NHL and NHLPA, they've got to screw the fans every way they can. I guess I'll have to stick to watching the Q-league on EastLink. It shouldn't be too bad come playoff time because they will show a game pretty much every night. I don't have a dish so I don't get to see NCAA games. I've never actually watched any of those games so I don't know the calibre of hockey. I do catch some of the games from the 80's & 90's on TSN.
Speaking of which, TSN will be airing a 6-hour special on Saturday, "Hockey Lives Here". It should be pretty good. There's been some fuss over CBC deciding not to do anything this year for Hockey Day in Canada. People are beginning to wonder if it has always been "NHL Day in Canada".
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Post by IAMCAPER on Feb 10, 2005 16:30:32 GMT -4
I think the loss of HNIC has hurt CBC quite a bit. They don't pay a whole lot for the rights but they make quite a bit in advertising.
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Post by cbisle on Feb 10, 2005 19:30:51 GMT -4
I think so too. Especially considering that Bell Globe Media (ATV) just won the rights for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and the 2012 Summer Games. CBC will also lose big there. I made a mistake about the TSN special "Hockey Lives Here". It is actually on Saturday, February 19th.  |
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Post by cbisle on Feb 16, 2005 21:19:57 GMT -4
Finally, a decision has been made - THE 2004-2005 NHL SEASON IS CANCELLED. I think I speak for the vast majority when I say "Who cares!!!!" At least now we don't have to listen to the NHL Panel on TSN anymore (there goes Brian Burke's employment).
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Post by IAMCAPER on Feb 17, 2005 22:08:59 GMT -4
to be honest, I care. I think it's pathetic that these two babies couldn't get together and work out a deal. They're still too busy blaming one another for what has happened that they haven't stopped to think about the fact that they have caused some serious damage to the league. Do they realize that this is the first time in history that a major sport has lost an entire season. Two world wars, an influenza, a great depression, and countless smaller wars and incidents couldn't stop the NHL from having a season but these two boneheads with nothing but money on their minds did.
Absolutely rediculous!
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Post by cbisle on Feb 17, 2005 23:20:23 GMT -4
I couldn't agree with you more. But I just got sick of getting optimistic just to get beat down over and over. I would love for their to be hockey right now, but the games gotta stop with these guys. And it's sad to say, but I am glad they cancelled the 2004-2005 season. It would be an injustice for a team to win the Cup in a 30-game season. I hope they can come to some agreement to save next season and I think they need to start thinking about that right now. Otherwise, the lockout may go well in to 2006.
But no matter when the lockout ends, I think Canadian teams will still get their fans back. I know I am one fan who won't hesitate to watch the game.
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