frankgrimes

Well as long as the NHL is just whining and not interested in negotiating, what exactly is the point of meetings?

You obviously have no clue how the PA works. Players have stated times and times again, how good of a job Fehr has done to provide them with information. Anyway Suter is easily better than all our defenders, the guy i s elite Kronner is a great second pairing guy so is White but we don't have a solid nr 1 pairing sadly. Suter would have been a great addition Sent from my BlackBerry

I would go play in my home country for my hometown team, for a lot of reasons: - seeing all my friends in person again not just via skype - being around my family - getting back into "comfort-zone" - giving something back to the club who started and helped me to develop into an NHL player There is no way I'd consider Russia at all. What if some of the Mafia owners decides I can't leave? Then what, what if they don't pay me? No that is too much of a risk and not worth it if you are not from Russia.

The issue as you phrased it is extremely simple: This crapfest should have been the easiest CBA negotiation ever and we all should discussing things such as how to improve the defense after two games, Datsyuk still the magician we all know... Basically I am on the side of those that are really hurt by a lockout, people who need hockey to fill their bars, restaurants, jobs in and outside the rink THESE are bleeding hard earned cash which neither the players or owners are doing at that level. Sent from my BlackBerry

How has Fehr been a failure? Players are all praising him for keeping them informed and not going to bow down like Godwell (spelling?) did. I think both should meet at each other at a point but the NHL hasn't done that so far their last offer was a right now 50 50 and we are taking away further playerrights proposal, so basically the players would have given up two concessions but the owners none...that's not how it works. To me if further things are lost it will be because of an undersized man and it really is a shame. Sent from my BlackBerry

If this joke of a commsissioner would spend as much time negotiating as he did with cancellations and whining to the effing media, we'd be having a season by now.

Illitch is a proven winner this guy wants to win first and then everything else. He paid record salaries for this team just to get a cup to Detroit on top of that he is paying for argueable the best management team, development and scouts in hockey. This is not a guy bitching over a few million bucks Mr. I is the best owner in all of sports and that is - mind you - for a reason. Just look at the latest move by Dolan getting the KHL on MSG --->big f*** you to our midget there are owners who want to play, because they have established a fanbase, tradition its not their fault Bettman and the BoG accepted teams in very questionable markets if they go under, so what?` There is always the option called relocation. I'd rather teams like Detroit, Toronto and Montreal spending the money on improving their own team and not wellfaring teams, so they are able to sign Weber to a ridiculous contract and beating us in the frist round of the playoffs thanks to the stupid revenue sharing. Also there is a reason, why Meehans Agency is considered the best one, the agents are very knowledgeable tough negotiators and looking for the best interest of their client. Best example would be Brad Richards he could have made more elsewhere but chose the Rangers for a reason. Anyway in the case of Suter he should be pissed about his agent first...

Waterski Plasma or LCD Sent from my BlackBerry

Although I have some sympathy for him ... I did expect Parise and especially Suter to take their time and look hard - note: let your agent(s) and business lawyer - check each each contract. Then take another week or so to decide which one would be the lovable deal. I really don't know why players are rushing things so quickly on July 1. Hell even Shea Weber did so by signing an OS and n o t knowing that he doesn't have a no trade clause in it? Sure he has 110 m reasons to get over but, his agents really screwed that thing up. I wonder if some of them are only looking for the money and not the best Interest of thei clients? Reminds me on a great film with Tom Cruise labeled game of life.. Sent from my BlackBerry

You don't have to read it if you don't like it. He has every right to be pissed so do the other players, usually both sides are signing contracts in good faith. Blindsiding people is the exact opposite... Sent from my BlackBerry

Do you honestly believe Bettman even knows which position his BFF is playing? Chances players are holding out for a better deal, period. Most people would do the same, if the owners are serious about helping rescuing the money losing franchises they better start crafting a fair deal soon... Sent from my BlackBerry

Always liked him although more of an introverted guy, so it should tell everyone something when guys like him are telling the media how pissed they are and rightfully so.

I *rofled* at this. Isn't Suter like Weber represented by Titan Sports?

Yeah and because they don't have any ideals, they are going overseas just to stay in shape whenever some of the crying poor owners decide to lift the stupid lockout right? Well there is always an option called relocation into hockey-markets so the jobs aren't lost they are just in a different place. Anyways you can always watch the owners play if you are so heavily on their side :-)

Agreed with all points, if all of that happens we could have hockey back within a month I am sure.

They are standing up for something way bigger and greater than money, ideals and against bullying by an undersized antihockey guy and a bunch of owners, who can't control themselves so they need a babysitter called ridiculous CBA. Players this time are well prepared and informed so it could be an even longer lockout and guess what? All the failed franchises are the ones going to get hurt the most by it. It's even more than laughable if the NHL honestly believes that the WC has any leverage: Two of 30 teams are taking part the players are not getting any extra money from participating or the HBO 24/7 documentation so *lol* Owners created this by themselves so they either find ways to fix it in a fair way, or the lockout will be even longer, though luck and I am fine with it.

I have a problem with the following things: 1. Billionaires claiming to lose while making money Let's face it the players are living a life most of us - I guess - can't even dream off, but they are sacrificing a lot for it (health, leisure-time, relationship and extremely) and then on theo ther side there are the owners. Guys, who are living a life even the players can't dream off but they are in no way sacrificing as much as the players do. These guys are making money without doing everything, they own big succesful companies with tons of employees and willingly decided to own an NHL club would be a good decision. So for so good......but don't cry poor if you are making tons of money AND are giving out contracts you magically can't afford now. Losing 10 m § for those guys is like us losing 100 $ it sucks but nothing to worry about. At the end of the day all owners made out like bandits whenever they've decided to sell their NHL club and even the sooooooooooooo poor Yotes owner made around 50 m § ROI. 2. Refusing to use options There are so many options outthere, but yet the midget and his BOG aren't interested in using them guess what? Though luck. Relocate or fold the failed franchises...dont want to do that? Well find other ways to make them viable again. Get rid off the cap floor...don't want to do that? Though luck again, if some teams can't spend more than X amount of § don't force them and don't force others to spend less you fidel undersized bettman. Introduce a luxury tax...don't want to do that? f*** you NHL 3 options and all are good ones if you don't want to accept them it is your own damn fault. Mr. I has to spend millions of his hard earned money in order to help some failed teams out, so they can sign guys like Weber forever and beat us in 5 games oh yes, all hail the holy parity. btw. reading some of the comments on other internetsites made me realize how stupid and how big the owners focus group has been, some of these pro owner guys don't even have real arguements instead they are just insulting players and probably are wearing their jerseys, once the season is back next year. To me this should have been the easiest CBA negotiation ever but the midget and the owners started it off in a complete wrong way, they weren't reasonable they wanted the moon but the PA presented them a very good offer. Also Bettman and Daily are acting like schoolkids reading 3 proposals in 10 minutes? That's just unbelievable at least take a day to think off it and if these two clowns still think the players are being paid too much - they should reduce their own salary by around 50 % - and on top of that play the game when a guy like MacIntyre, Parros or Scott is coming at full speed checking them through the roof and then tell me again players are making to much money...

If they just need the illusion of winning well why not :-) I think it would be a fair CBA for both sides.

Oh please are you honestly telling me that guys like Toews, Crosby, Stamkos, Perfect Human, Datsyuk, OV and Malkin wouldn't have made more on an open market? You can bet they'd be sitting at salaries north of 10 million annually easily, so yes the players got screwed over the last time and now that isn't even good enough for an undersized idiot and his BFF BoG. Their PR offer was just as stupid as everthing else they've accomplished this off-season. Is our commissioner in all honesty that stupid? Does this ***** midget really believe he can craft a system where all 30 franchises are returning a profit? Maybe it's his last stand because even an antihockey guy like him should know, that some franchises are just located in ridiculous non hockey enviroments and on top of that are plagued with owners that don't want to spend, they'd rather cry poor and become wellfared by great owners such as Mr. I. Go on cancel whatever you greedy billionaires and your poor explanation of a commissioner wants to cancel the players are going to play elsewhere, youf****** billionaires can sit in your empty arenas and cry poor while eating imported cavier and drinking 10.000 $ champagne. Sorry for the rant but really the NHL trying hard to win the PR war with their stupid focus groups and beyond ridiculous PR offer can f*** off , I will never feel sorry for a bunch of billionaires never.

Get rid off the cap floor. Following deal under the circumstances that the commissioner will be replaced. 50/50 All contracts are honored 7 years till UFA 6 years RFA with arbitration rights 2 years ELC Luxury tax replacing RS No lockou/strike clause Sent from my BlackBerry

Well if one side is only taking 10 freaking minutes to look at a proposal there is no point in meetings at all. Either have a meaingful discussion or if not cancel the meetings. I hope Fehr finally puts the free market option on the table the midget deserves nothing but hate, he has costed this game too much. Sent from my BlackBerry

If I am remembering it correctly he talked about creating an Illitcg like atmosphere and would be prepared to lose money. I am sure at first Mr. I lost some money too but look at it now -) Owners like Pegula, Dolan, Mr. I are role models and I bet you none of them is part of the BoG. At this point I hardly think about things like if the next guy will be better or not, Bettman needs to go in the longrun it will be well worth it. Sent from my BlackBerry

Good summary if both would put their egos aside things would be easier. Everyone is talking about the damn split but the real problem is tied to the other things. Biut whatever there are other leagues to watch. Sent from my BlackBerry

Ecclestone and Mosly are the reason I ve stopped watching F1 and wee my country hasn't had a driver there since forever. Sent from my BlackBerry

Ever heard of the OHL, AHL...? Well you have to look at both teams it was Anaheim against Ottawa so everyone knew the outcome when it came down to the ratings. All I am saying is, if the league wants to keep these teams fine but don't cry if they are losing money without a fanbase and even that can be fixed by completely wiping the floor or lowering it. Pegula like Dolan and the very best owner in all of sports our own Mr. I are against this lockout. Some owners understand that they are going to lose money, they do it because they are fans and are in it for the longrun. At the end of the day if they are doing a good job their team will be worth way more than what they have paid for it.