100 replies to this topic

[ACallToArms]

Hardly. Shanny would be kick ass to sign at the trade deadline for league minimum... but commissioner of the NHL? Surely you jest. The owners would burn him alive and piss on the ashes. Do you really want that to happen to Shanny?

Um yeah, I guess the jesting part was lost when I responded to a post stating that the shaving of ladies armpits would be an agenda item under Shanahan's NHL

[Shoreline]

Well that all sounds lovely and ideal but I doubt it's what the owners want. And while all of this is in the realm of the hypothetical -- I have no idea what level of meddling the owners would tolerate from their commissioner -- consider this: Bettman was hired out of the NBA and was never a hockey guy. He was picked up by the owners first and foremost to be a lawyer and make them money. He was never brought in to innovate or be a part of the decision making process. The genesis of Gary Bettman the NHL Commissioner is pretty telling to me.

He was also here for the expansion and pushed it heavily so I'm sure that had some weight in swaying things his way from rather grateful expansion owners who also inherited a vote.

I don't think the cap is Bettman's legacy -- that's the owners saving their own asses. Bettman's legacy is pushing for expansion, then refusing to back down from keeping teams in places they are not viable. That's his to call his own.

[Heroes of Hockeytown]

Fair enough, but the pure fact is that the league has evolved into something very different than it was when he was brought in and the landscape of professional sports as a whole, not to mention the overturn of ownership on quite a few of the franchises in the league. I think if it were put to a vote on a broad scale right now, that there would be a pretty major divide on the parts of the owners, and the old, stodgy tight asses that still own the minority of teams today would be out numbered... hell, some of the most influential owners in the league already have expressed displeasure about Bettman... (Wings, Canadians, Rangers)

I don't know about the pro-Bettman camp being the minority. Many of the NHL franchises that aren't as well off as Detroit (which can partially be traced to expansion when the owners wanted to get their hands on all of those delicious expansion fees) probably support all the work Bettman has done to wring the cap and revenue sharing and blah blah blah out of the PA.

I know Detroit isn't happy with all of that because it never needed any of it; and so Wings fans happen to be in a rather unique situation where they can say "grr I hate Gary Bettman" and that is in line with what their team's ownership thinks. But I don't think that's where the majority of the NHL stands and that it'll be a while yet before the rest of the NHL outgrows Bettman, if ever.

[stevkrause]

I don't know about the pro-Bettman camp being the minority. Many of the NHL franchises that aren't as well off as Detroit (which can partially be traced to expansion when the owners wanted to get their hands on all of those delicious expansion fees) probably support all the work Bettman has done to wring the cap and revenue sharing and blah blah blah out of the PA.

I know Detroit isn't happy with all of that because it never needed any of it; and so Wings fans happen to be in a rather unique situation where they can say "grr I hate Gary Bettman" and that is in line with what their team's ownership thinks. But I don't think that's where the majority of the NHL stands and that it'll be a while yet before the rest of the NHL outgrows Bettman, if ever.

They only needed a hard cap because of the poor decision making to put teams where they couldn't be profitable in the first place... I didn't say that the majority would be anti-Bettman, I said the minority were old, stodgy tight asses, most of them have sold off, or passed away.... I think the BOG is probably split evenly into 3 camps right now - Anti-Bettman, Pro-Bettman and Indifferent, however, I think those indifferent could be swayed in a vote... that's all I'm saying... my point is, just because he hasn't pissed them off enough to lose his job does NOT mean he's doing his job right - To quote Office Space, he's just "doing enough to not get fired" and that is not the type of "leader" this league needs...

[Crymson]

Brendan Shanahan for Commissioner:

-free pony rides for all
-ice girls are mandatory for every NHL team
-drinking beer is encouraged between periods
-shootout? what shootout?
-all women in attendance must shave their underarms

Seriously, though, Shanahan had advocated limiting playoff overtimes and introducing a shootout. Just hearing him say that reduced by half the affection I had for him.

[Carman]

They only needed a hard cap because of the poor decision making to put teams where they couldn't be profitable in the first place

There will never be a successful team in California, screw trying to spread the game to non-traditional markets. There should be no reason to use the global influence the game has as an advantage compared to the other sports. We should all be happy to only have hockey in northern cities and Canada, just think of the exposure it will get!

[stevkrause]

Seriously, though, Shanahan had advocated limiting playoff overtimes and introducing a shootout. Just hearing him say that reduced by half the affection I had for him.

Where did you see/hear that? I find that hard to believe...

I personally LOVE the SO for the regular season (think the point value needs to be fixed for what they're worth, but that's a separate issue), but playoffs need to ALWAYS be 20 minute periods of 5 on 5 until someone wins - NO EXCEPTIONS

[stevkrause]

There will never be a successful team in California, screw trying to spread the game to non-traditional markets. There should be no reason to use the global influence the game has as an advantage compared to the other sports. We should all be happy to only have hockey in northern cities and Canada, just think of the exposure it will get!

Did I say they shouldn't have expanded? No. Don't oversimplify my point, you look like a fool.

I said, and I quote:

They only needed a hard cap because of the poor decision making to put teams where they couldn't be profitable in the first place

That has nothing to do with "non-traditional" markets, it has to do with doing due diligence and research before going into a non-traditional market. Hockey already failed in Atlanta before and Arizona is barely able to sustain 3 other major sports teams, not to mention the complete lack of northern transplants there at the time... California was already working with LA and there are plenty of transplants, TB was a calculated risk and so was Dallas... it's about moving it into "non-traditional" markets ONLY when it makes sense, not just for the sake of moving...

Keep swinging though...

Edited by stevkrause, 09 November 2010 - 04:57 PM.

[Carman]

You cannot be that specific with locations, Bettman doesn't choose to put a franchise in place, the owner does.

And really I'm looking for the long-term future, I really believe that all the franchises can be profitable if given time to get a winning franchise. You aren't going to make money with a loser in a new city in any sport.

California failed before LA as well so don't just pick and choose locations.

[darkmanx]

Hopefully he doesn't go, things are just starting to look up and Bettman can do some great things business-wise with leverage considering how good the product is. He's done a great job so far.

Yea, great job by not selling Franchises that are hurting everyone to more successful markets right ?? Pheonix should have been sold and moved to Hamilton but because Bettman is soo damn pro USA he won't move them even though the market is thriving and hungry for a team there, not to mention the price Balsille was willing to pay double what anyone else was asking. Yea.. Great job Bettman.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

You cannot be that specific with locations, Bettman doesn't choose to put a franchise in place, the owner does.

And really I'm looking for the long-term future, I really believe that all the franchises can be profitable if given time to get a winning franchise. You aren't going to make money with a loser in a new city in any sport.

California failed before LA as well so don't just pick and choose locations.

Phoenix had a promisong season last year, and they still can't draw more than 6,500 to a game.

[LeftWinger]

1. Ruin the NBA - CHECK!

2. Ruin the NHL - CHECK!

3. Ruin the MLB -

4. Ruin the NFL -

5. Ruin the MLS -

6. Ruin the PGA -

7, Ruin the WPT -

You cannot be that specific with locations, Bettman doesn't choose to put a franchise in place, the owner does.

But if Bettman doesn't approve of the location the owner wants, he says no. "Either put the team in Santa Fe or you will not get a franchise!"

[55fan]

Press release from the future:

We are pleased and proud to welcome Mr. Gary Bettman as our new leader.
As we start this exciting new chapter in our history, we looked for someone who could enter a sport without prior experience and effect profound changes without bias towards what works and without being encumbered by the knowledge of that has worked in the past.
We are confident that we have found someone who shares our commitment to honesty, integrity, and most of all to the fans.
Welcome, Mr. Bettman to the New WWF.

[dragonballgtz]

What would be his legacy if he did leave the NHL today?

[Scrosby87]

wingfanatic and carmen are the only two people on this board who know what they are talking about.

What has Bettman really done wrong? Again, nobody cares about your opinions on rule changes and how he rolls over and doesn't stand up to owners. Not only are those thoughts incorrect, but you sound like a moron. Bettman brought hockey back --- Or don't any of you remember where it was headed before he took it oveR in 93? You guys are telling me you liked that clutch and grab bulls*** style of hockey?


Anyway --- you guys are idiots

[Electrophile]

Wonder what Electrophile thinks about this.

Lots of four letter words, that's what I think of this. As much as I hate Bud Selig (and boy do I hate him) I ABSOLUTELY 100% DO NOT WANT GARY BETTMAN IN CHARGE OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL OR OTHERWISE EMPLOYED BY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IN ANY FACSIMILE OR FASHION.


Just no. No, no, no, no.

wingfanatic and carmen are the only two people on this board who know what they are talking about.

What has Bettman really done wrong? Again, nobody cares about your opinions on rule changes and how he rolls over and doesn't stand up to owners. Not only are those thoughts incorrect, but you sound like a moron. Bettman brought hockey back --- Or don't any of you remember where it was headed before he took it oveR in 93? You guys are telling me you liked that clutch and grab bulls*** style of hockey?


Anyway --- you guys are idiots

Let's see......someone with the screen name "Scrosby87" calling posters here idiots.


Yup, that'll go over well. If you think we're idiots, feel free to find someplace else to piss in the wind.

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros]

wingfanatic and carmen are the only two people on this board who know what they are talking about.

What has Bettman really done wrong? Again, nobody cares about your opinions on rule changes and how he rolls over and doesn't stand up to owners. Not only are those thoughts incorrect, but you sound like a moron. Bettman brought hockey back --- Or don't any of you remember where it was headed before he took it oveR in 93? You guys are telling me you liked that clutch and grab bulls*** style of hockey?


Anyway --- you guys are idiots

Another damn troll? Bettman is the only reason you won in '09, so of course you're willing to give him head for the rest of his life as long as he stays commissioner.

[Kira]

Dare we to dream???

[LeftWinger]

wingfanatic and carmen are the only two people on this board who know what they are talking about.

What has Bettman really done wrong? Again, nobody cares about your opinions on rule changes and how he rolls over and doesn't stand up to owners. Not only are those thoughts incorrect, but you sound like a moron. Bettman brought hockey back --- Or don't any of you remember where it was headed before he took it oveR in 93? You guys are telling me you liked that clutch and grab bulls*** style of hockey?


Anyway --- you guys are idiots

I know where the NHL was going, s***sburg just won back to back titles so it was obviously going down the drain! Too bad they didn't move to Kansas City like they threatened to. The city would be much nicer if it didn't have the s*** stains name Lemeiux and Crosby in it...

Extreme? Yes, but that is how much we care about Bettman and Kathy Lee. So go back and re-join your Wizard 101 buddies on your Crosby f*ck fest forum and leave the real hockey talk to the real hockey fans...

[GMRwings1983]

I hope so.

If****** hate baseball and I hate Bettman. They deserve each other in neverending bankruptcy and lockouts.