Leaderboard

Standard Bettman playbook. "Lockout lockout lockout. Passive aggressive pot shot at the union. We have the greatest fans, that's why I'm able to treat them like s***. Because I know they'll take the abuse and come crawling back for more." The NHLPA's proposal certainly isn't perfect but it's a starting point. Throw in some contract limits and modify reverting to the current CBA and you're really close to being done. The NHL's stance is "thanks for all those concessions in 2004 guys, now empty your pockets. This time we promise we'll figure out how to run a successful franchise."

And the plot thickens.....http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2012/08/nhl_owners_will_receive_200_mi.html Apparently, the owners have covered their ass with NBC. If there is a lockout (which thanks to Bettman and the owners it looks like there will be), NHL owners will receive $200 million from NBC despite not broadcasting a single game. WTF... Every time Fehr speaks its "we're trying, there's time, we want to improve the game, etc". Every time Uncle Gary speaks its "this is impossible, no one is listening, the players aren't being reasonable, we're doomed, etc". If that isn't an indication of who the bad guys are, I don't know what is.

I actually work at Just Baked. These things are delicious. And, I get to meet Hank next week! I'm super excited.

I think we're headed to a lockout. A collection of quotes from Twitter after today's meetings wrapped up... The Forth Period Renaud P Lavoie And Bettman's worst line of all... Mark Masters To which George Malik has a great response... IMO, it's quotes like the above mentioned that are leading to the NHLPA winning the PR war this time. Bettman, and the NHL by extension, are coming off as iron-clad "My way or the highway" types, while Fehr and the PA are sounding very sensible. As evidenced by... Mark Masters (again)

They should crack down on Crosby for it like they crack down on Holmstrom for goalie interference

Not sure if this was posted before, but with NHL 13 featuring GM Connected we should set up a LGW Online Dynasty.....haha that is if 29 other users are okay without being the Wings.

I don't care if it makes me greedy, Datsyuk retires here at the brisk age of 40 as a Red Wing or i'm gonna be depressed. I shall reject any other blasphemy about him going to Russia.

How is that negotiating in good faith? Refusing to let the players play until they cave to every single demand of the owners? I have stayed away from this topic because the whole thing absolutely infuriates me, but this whole strong arm "you'll do what I say when I say or you won't do anything at all" BS is sickening. I'm pissed that I'm most likely going to miss yet another season of the only sport I give two farts about. I'm pissed that I got so excited for the Winter Classic only to have it potentially never come to fruition. But mostly I'm pissed that the rich get richer or take their toys and go home, while the rest of us who pay our hard earned money to support the sport we love continue to get s*** on. I really hope I'm overreacting and will have a major moment when the season starts on time, but more and more that's seeming increasingly unlikely...

It'll be this guy:

It seems like Bettman has good business acumen. Not everything has been a success but the league's revenue has greatly increased each year. They just need someone who can speak publicly without coming off like a condescending ass and is more of a diplomat. Instead Bettman never hesitates to tell the fans how we feel about the game, to take a shot at the NHLPA whenever possible, and to threaten lockout every time a CBA expires. His job isn't just about legalities and business management. He is supposed to get 30 owners, some of them well documented idiots, to generally agree and work in the best interest of the league. That's where he fails pretty regularly.

When you see him, tell Hank "Boogidieboogidieboo" for me, he'll know what it means.

The NHLPA has a huge advantage in winning the PR war and this angers Uncle Gary terribly. What we need now is an interview of Uncle Gary by Ron MacLean.

That`s dirty fo sho!!

I hate coconut too, but who doesn't like the sound of Zetterballs?

per ESPN. They better hope he can stay healthy, and you can bet Eberle wants more $$$ now too.

Right now, Uncle Gary seems more interested in the way penalties are being called than negotiating a contract in good faith. The little man needs to get his priorities straight.

Ha! His name is Jiri Hu... oh wait, nevermind... In all seriousness, no need for another forward. As others have said, we've already got more than enough. The Wings need a 7th defender, not a 16th/17th forward.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the owners first contract proposal include a clause to limit player contracts to 5 years and less? Now we've already seen two long term contracts handed out this week. (Hartnel and Hall) Shouldn't the owners show a little more soliditarity at times like these?

I agree. Bettman's negotiating tactics are primordial, and thats putting it nicely.

The owners love him and he's doing a great job for them increasing the value of the league so much over the past bunch of years so he isn't going anywhere anytime soon. That said, I think Burke's refusal to sign long term contracts and stuff like that is an indication that he wants a clean record because he wants to be commissioner one day.

i completely disagree with eliminating fighting in the sense that it would cause more harm. it would give everyone a free pass to go play dirty, go throw a hard ass hit folding a top 3 skater. then what? we just scream, "hey! stop that please!" fighting has a place and time in hockey, unfortunately thats what's changed over the generations. everyone looks to fight when its not needed.

I remember his interview when he talks about his mothers death and everything, really sad interview and a great inside look at who pasha really is, anyways.. in that interview he stated that he doesn't want to play til he's 40 and he didn't want to finish his career in the NHL. That being said, he also says the normal I love this place and what not. I couldn't see him being moved to any other team or sporting another teams sweater, but i certainly could see him playing out his remaining "hockey years" in the motherland. Would I be upset? Absolutely, it would break my heart just like I cried like a little baby during Stevie Y's ceremony and Nicky's. Would I disown him? Absolutely not, nothing but respect.

It sure as hell matters to me. Obviously, he needs to make the decision that works best for him and his family, but I'm not about to go as far as saying it does not matter where he plays, because it does. Obviously, 99.9% of us will be fans of his regardless of when he takes off for Russia....but that doesn't mean I wan't see it in 2-years' time.

Bro, I was budgeting cuddle time in there too. I am a gentleman afterall.

Let's be honest, you only need 2. Heyooooooooooooooooooooo