186 replies to this topic

[cusimano_brothers]

Geeze. Talk about trying to make things ugly before opening negotiations on a new CBA.

Typical Bettman "mind games"; make it look as if the League is doing everything possible to better the game, while the greedy players only want more money.

[55fan]

I don't see why they would have to get the players' consent. The League (as in the GM's of the teams) has decided this on the basis of what is best for the teams. The NHLPA is about what is good for the players as individuals.

You would think that the players and their GM would want pretty much the same things with regards to what is best for the team, although there will be differing ideas amongst individuals no matter how you slice it.

They definitely should talk about it, but ideally the time for that would have been before the GM meeting. Each GM should have talked to players, coaches, owners, and all involved before going.

There is a direct chain of distrust-

Players/fans hesitate to trust--->general managers/owners because they form--->the League which is led by--->Bettman who looks like the bastard offspring of--->Count von Count and Peewee Herman.

No realignment will be perfect, and someone will always get the short end of the stick. I think this is almost as good as it gets for teams in states/provinces that have capitals with fewer than three sets of repeating letters.

[BryceWings]

Well atleast you wont have those 10pm games as much. That gets real old. But i'll wait a little longer to see who they actually group the Wings with.

[haroldsnepsts]

I understand the unnecessary divisiveness, but why exactly should the NHLPA have been consulted about this? It only affects the players in a really, really roundabout and indirect way.

I don't think it's that indirect or roundabout. Think about how much we as fans care about this realignment. You don't think professional hockey players care as much or more? It affects what teams they play, playoff chances, amount they'll be traveling and away from home. Not to mention they are probably at least as passionate about the game and its history as we are.

I don't think the NHL was required to consult the NHLPA but Bettman seems to forget that they players are the reason we all pay money to watch games. Hockey is ultimately entertainment and the players are the stars, not the GM's, and certainly not him. It's hard to imagine any other form of entertainment where they would make a massive decision like this without at least consulting and working with the talent.

[Electrophile]

I'm not surprised we got hosed. Face it, the former Western conference, or whatever the hell conference we're in now, needs a big name team, and that's us. No way they were going to let the team jump ship. While our travel becomes moderately easier (which means less staying up until the witching hour for us fans).....it's not everything I had hoped for.

Oh well. Like it or lump it, as they say.

[SouthernWingsFan]

Less travel, playing every team at least twice. Good.

Selfishly not having to stay up late as much to watch games. Good. Even with those late games coming on an hour earlier where I am from at 9:00 or 9:30, it is still hard to stay fully up for them as I'm pretty much used to routine before work during the week and am awake pretty much every morning around 4:00am.

I am happy. Would've loved a full switch to what would've been the Eastern Conference or playing them more than just twice, but what can ya do, I think less travel was priority #1.

EDIT: Biggest losers in this are Tampa Bay and Florida with more travel and not possibly being molded into a confernece with Carolina or Nashville (I know conferneces would have to be radically shuffled again for this to happen - just generally spaeaking), for example.

Edited by SouthernWingsFan, 10 December 2011 - 04:39 PM.

[Dimaline312000]

Wings aren't in the East but I do like the way this is set up. I can't wait until next season to see how it pans out!!