2458 replies to this topic

[cusimano_brothers]

Do they televise whl and ohl nation wide up there? If they do im moving over the locks and changing my flag

Last season Rogers Sportsnet started something new: Friday Night Hockey . It began mid-November and went through to March, featuring a CHL doubleheader. I can't find information about the upcoming season but I suspect they will be doing it again.

[Hey man nice shot!]

Last season Rogers Sportsnet started something new: Friday Night Hockey . It began mid-November and went through to March, featuring a CHL doubleheader. I can't find information about the upcoming season but I suspect they will be doing it again.

Will have to look into it, and thanks.

[frankgrimes]

brilliant! do i have to quote you addressing offtopic a few days ago and some deleted posts or we argee there were no offtopic in both cases?...

? Your post was about something more union than sports related. Mine is an real"world" example of what the owners want and why it doesn't even make sense - nor would it be possible - in rl.

[cusimano_brothers]

From Washington Times:

“If the league decides to cut our salaries and cut our contracts for what they want, I don’t know how many guys will be coming back,” Ovechkin said on conference call with The Washington Times and The Washington Post on Wednesday. “We signed contracts before, and why they have to cut our salaries and our contracts right now? They sign us. [Now they] want to cut it, I think it’s a stupid idea and a stupid decision by the NHL, [commissionerGary] Bettman and the guys who work there.”

“If it’s going to be the same situation, I think it’s all going to be all year because we’re not going to give up,”Ovechkin

said. “We stick together because we have a very good [leader], Don Fehr, and the guys know and trust him right now because his job is to help us to play hockey.”

Edited by cusimano_brothers, 20 September 2012 - 07:25 AM.

[Z Winged Dangler]

Do they televise whl and ohl nation wide up there? If they do im moving over the locks and changing my flag

Some games are on sportsnet and you'll occasionally get random local channels that get feeds to games. I'll definitely be looking it up this year and will be going to Wheat Kings games in person. If I end up in Borden, ON this year for training stuff i'll definitely try to catch a Barrie Colts game. The ticket prices are also very good for games. There's American teams as well in the CHL. Portland Winterhawks and I would assume the Tri-City Americans are in the US. It really depends on if you're willing to drive a couple hours to see a game. Living in Michigan, you could potentially see half the teams in the OHL in a 2-3 hour drive, but I may be mistaken.

[evilmrt]

It really depends on if you're willing to drive a couple hours to see a game. Living in Michigan, you could potentially see half the teams in the OHL in a 2-3 hour drive, but I may be mistaken.

Yeah, people in Michigan have MANY options for hockey during the lockout. There are two OHL teams in Michigan for Wings fans: nearby Plymouth and Saginaw (a bit further), and of course the Spitfires in Windsor, which is like...5 minutes from The Joe not counting the border stuff.

Then they have multiple top level NCAA hockey teams, 2 USHL teams, 3 NAHL teams, ECHL in both K-Zoo and Toledo, and of course, an AHL team. Not to mention numerous lower junior level teams.

Out here in Arizona? We have 1 CHL team. That's it

[BottleOfSmoke]

Out here in Arizona? We have 1 CHL team. That's it

Please don't remind me. I'm going to have to rely on streamed Griffs and Spirit games just to keep from going insane...

[haroldsnepsts]

Another decent perspective on the lockout. Towards the end he hits upon one of the reasons why I put a lot of the blame on Bettman and his strategy.

The NHL and its wealthier franchises certainly have a responsibility to support those teams in weaker markets, especially since those teams were born of the league's own vision for expanding the game.

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/dave_naylor/?id=405623

Bettman wanted to expand the game into non-hockey markets. Fine. Then when those franchises struggle he points the finger at the players as to the biggest reason why and locks them out.

It's going to take time and commitment to turn a non-traditional market into a good one for hockey. It's not the players fault that people in Phoenix just don't want to watch hockey that much. Right out of the gate owners of franchises in Detroit, Toronto, New York, etc have a HUGE advantage over those in places like Nashville and Phoenix.

It has to do with the history and popularity of the teams, the length of time hockey has been part of a culture in that market, and also the strength of the Canadian dollar. The biggest reasons for the economic disparity has nothing to do with the percentage of revenue allocated to paying players.

Bettman apparently doesn't have the skills or the will to get his owners to share more revenue and actually address the economic disparity, instead he goes after the players because it's easier and something all his owners can agree on.

Unfortunately his spineless strategy is terrible for the fans and ultimately for the NHL.

[cusimano_brothers]

He's done such a fine job in Glendale; the owners are probably thrilled with the way that embarrassment has gone so far. But, he will never admit to that mistake being of his doing.

[RedWingsDad]

It has to do with the history and popularity of the teams, the length of time hockey has been part of a culture in that market, and also the strength of the Canadian dollar. The biggest reasons for the economic disparity has nothing to do with the percentage of revenue allocated to paying players.

I agree that player pay is not the biggest reason for the economic disparity. The biggest reason for failing teams is poor business management. Hockey culture, strength of the dollar, etc... are all excuses for poor owners running a poor business, or making the decision to run a business in a poor market.

[Z Winged Dangler]

Please don't remind me. I'm going to have to rely on streamed Griffs and Spirit games just to keep from going insane...

In Winnipeg we've had the NHL back for 1 year and now it's locked out... That's like hanging your bare ass out at a pitbull through a fence...

Edited by Z Winged Dangler, 20 September 2012 - 12:28 PM.

[haroldsnepsts]

I agree that player pay is not the biggest reason for the economic disparity. The biggest reason for failing teams is poor business management. Hockey culture, strength of the dollar, etc... are all excuses for poor owners running a poor business, or making the decision to run a business in a poor market.

I agree that's absolutely another reason, even in hockey markets where the franchise is allegedly struggling. I mainly meant that even good owners in non-hockey markets have a tougher road ahead.

If an owner is willing to take on that challenge that's fine, but it's not players salaries that are the biggest obstacle to their success. Not anymore.

[Jedi]

Eric Macramalla, from Offside Sports Law Blog, obtained a memo from Fehr to players yesterday. I'm not going to link to individual tweets, since there's so many, but you can click on his name and see his timeline. But I thought it was some interesting insight to the mindset of the PA...

Got hands on memo from Fehr to players from yesterday afternoon - here's some of what he said...

Fehr: NHL's bargaining approach is "you must reduce your salaries by a large amount and a lockout will be in place until you agree to do so"

Fehr: NHLPA chose not to be aggressive in its own proposal so as not to "provoke a dispute"

Fehr: NHLPA proposed $260M/year in team rev sharing - $140M in regular sharing and $120M in to assist troubled teams

Fehr: NHL proposed lowering salaries to 49%, 48% in year 2 and 47% for last 4 seasons; reduction equals 14% (yr1), 16% (yr2) and 17.5%

Fehr: NHL said this proposal was "meaningful"; NHLPA disagrees - if rev growth is at 7.1% rate salaries would be drop by $1B in first 3 yrs

Fehr: Ultimate question - "What do the players get out of the agreement...other than much lower salaries and far fewer rights?"

Fehr's memo when read as whole very clearly sets things out for the players; easy to follow; makes it easier to dig in and fight when get it

[Euro_Twins]

Eric Macramalla, from Offside Sports Law Blog, obtained a memo from Fehr to players yesterday. I'm not going to link to individual tweets, since there's so many, but you can click on his name and see his timeline. But I thought it was some interesting insight to the mindset of the PA...

While I understand Fehr's point of view here, about players losing rights and what not, I do not understand why they are not meeting and trying to come to an agreement somewhere in the middle. We have been locked out going on 5 days and no meetings have taken place, and no meetings are scheduled. It appears both sides have the same approach, do nothing till the other side caves.

best idea my friend ever had, set up a season in nhl 13, with 20 minute periods and just watch the games play like you're watching the real nhl, and pretend we have hockey!

[Barrie]

Another decent perspective on the lockout. Towards the end he hits upon one of the reasons why I put a lot of the blame on Bettman and his strategy.



http://www.tsn.ca/bl...ylor/?id=405623

Bettman wanted to expand the game into non-hockey markets. Fine. Then when those franchises struggle he points the finger at the players as to the biggest reason why and locks them out.

It's going to take time and commitment to turn a non-traditional market into a good one for hockey. It's not the players fault that people in Phoenix just don't want to watch hockey that much. Right out of the gate owners of franchises in Detroit, Toronto, New York, etc have a HUGE advantage over those in places like Nashville and Phoenix.

It has to do with the history and popularity of the teams, the length of time hockey has been part of a culture in that market, and also the strength of the Canadian dollar. The biggest reasons for the economic disparity has nothing to do with the percentage of revenue allocated to paying players.

Bettman apparently doesn't have the skills or the will to get his owners to share more revenue and actually address the economic disparity, instead he goes after the players because it's easier and something all his owners can agree on.

Unfortunately his spineless strategy is terrible for the fans and ultimately for the NHL.

Agree. The owners need to either get rid of the Floor, revenue share with bankrupt teams, or move the bankrupt teams to better hockey markets (if they want to continue under the current system). The Players don't have to give an inch.

I heard Forbes said the Leafs could pay Phoenix's entire debt and still be the richest team in the League. Obviously this isn't the Players fault. With fans and media on the Players side this time around, the longer this goes, the more info showing how screwed up the current system is will come out. The Owners will be the first to cave, and Bettman will lose his job.

[Barrie]

While I understand Fehr's point of view here, about players losing rights and what not, I do not understand why they are not meeting and trying to come to an agreement somewhere in the middle. We have been locked out going on 5 days and no meetings have taken place, and no meetings are scheduled. It appears both sides have the same approach, do nothing till the other side caves.

Probably it's because Bettman is so arrogant and stubborn that's he's not worth trying to talk sense to. I heard someone on TSN radio say that a deal would probably get done if Bettman was told to leave the room.

Edit: Fehr has said he's not trying to get rid of the cap, he just wants to see the Owners revenue share and find better ways to generate revenue.

Edited by Barrie, 20 September 2012 - 09:36 PM.

[Euro_Twins]

Agree. The owners need to either get rid of the Floor, revenue share with bankrupt teams, or move the bankrupt teams to better hockey markets (if they want to continue under the current system). The Players don't have to give an inch.

I heard Forbes said the Leafs could pay Phoenix's entire debt and still be the richest team in the League. Obviously this isn't the Players fault. With fans and media on the Players side this time around, the longer this goes, the more info showing how screwed up the current system is will come out. The Owners will be the first to cave, and Bettman will lose his job.

I hope you're right, but I think that bettman and the owners are willing to go all year if they have to like last night. It's very unfortunate for the fans, I just want to see the wings play before Datsyuk gets too old

[Hockeytown0001]

End the lockout. Come to an agreement. Stop screwing us the fans.

This has gone beyond ridiculous. The 4th out of the 4 major American sports leagues is undergoing its 4th work-stoppage in just over two decades.

[frankgrimes]

How long till the NHLPA will go to war? I'd tell the owners listen "we both want to get over with this and both sides need a fair deal". Some ownera s like G. Molson and the Rangerguy are not happy with the lockout and I am sure Mr. I isn't either.

So the only one standing in the way of a fair deal ist Bettman I'd really push the agenda to get him fired.

[Nev]

While I understand Fehr's point of view here, about players losing rights and what not, I do not understand why they are not meeting and trying to come to an agreement somewhere in the middle.

Because the NHL's original proposal was so utterly outrageous that "meeting in the middle" would still represent a massive reduction in pay and rights for the players. As I said earlier, the NHL's started out not with a basis for negotiation between 2 parties, but an ultimatum of surrender for a vanquished foe.

And all because a handful of teams have bad business models/bad markets, and the majority of owners keep handing out bonkers contracts.