Players prepared to drop gloves in labor fight

So, now the people of Chicago are made aware that there is labour unrest in the NHL. And now they know that the guy who cost baseball a World Series in 94 is in charge of it. Glad they're caught up now.

Random thought

There has to be a step stool behind that podium.

"with respect to those who didn't, they've been told by the guys that did"...uh, hope you have saved a bundle to get through these hard times ahead...as far as the fans go, we don't really care....appearing to be resolved and coming off as really stupid, does not make fans happy...let's hope for the best...maybe games by Dec 1...........

It takes awhile to find a nitwit who is as clueless as a pet rock, who has a complete lack of awareness of the importance of the game, who does not understand that a late October game meaning nothing can cost $150 and be savored with a $9.00 beer and a $6.00 hot dog by folks who just love hockey..........................but by God the NHLPA has found one. Sounds like a perfect negotiating partner for the Dwarf.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:11 AM ET  06.28 by Slapshot

It takes awhile to find a nitwit who is as clueless as a pet rock, who has a complete lack of awareness of the importance of the game, who does not understand that a late October game meaning nothing can cost $150 and be savored with a $9.00 beer and a $6.00 hot dog by folks who just love hockey..........................but by God the NHLPA has found one. Sounds like a perfect negotiating partner for the Dwarf.

It wasn't easy but they seemed to have found him

Here's how the labor fight will do down: September 15th will come and there will be no settlement, so the owners will lock out the players. Whatever the issues they are talking about, the main sticking point will be that the owners will want the players to go from receiving 57% of the total revenue now to about 50-51% in the new CBA. Both sides will bark, there will be no games in October/November. December will come and Bettman will start making specific dates that will culminate in eventually cancelling the season if an agreement isn't reached by sometime around the New Year. The owners wont budge because they have all the leverage, and what will the players do this? Stand firm like they did in 2004-05 and cancel another season or cave and played a 50-60 game regular season? Only time will tell.....

It took quite a few years for hockey to gain popularity back after losing the 04-05 season. The players need to realize that they aren't as popular as the 3 major sports players and the pay scale should reflect that.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:11 AM ET  06.28 by Slapshot

It takes awhile to find a nitwit who is as clueless as a pet rock, who has a complete lack of awareness of the importance of the game, who does not understand that a late October game meaning nothing can cost $150 and be savored with a $9.00 beer and a $6.00 hot dog by folks who just love hockey..........................but by God the NHLPA has found one. Sounds like a perfect negotiating partner for the Dwarf.

Underestimate Donald Fehr at your own peril. MLB doesn't, and never will, have a salary cap.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:25 AM ET  06.28 by SoxFan15

It took quite a few years for hockey to gain popularity back after losing the 04-05 season. The players need to realize that they aren't as popular as the 3 major sports players and the pay scale should reflect that.

Maybe they're looking at the NBA and saying "oh, nobody really held it against them when they went on strike. They came back just as strong."

The thing is, Americans know what the NBA is. The NHL will disappear off the damn radar if they don't play games this season.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:26 AM ET  06.28 by dannylimes

Underestimate Donald Fehr at your own peril. MLB doesn't, and never will, have a salary cap.

But MLB is 10x more popular than the NHL.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:27 AM ET  06.28 by dannylimes

Maybe they're looking at the NBA and saying "oh, nobody really held it against them when they went on strike. They came back just as strong."The thing is, Americans know what the NBA is. The NHL will disappear off the damn radar if they don't play games this season.

agree...fan base was starting to really grow in our area....don't need a disappearing act now...play the games....quit worrying about what some other prosport pays...hockey has made great strides over last five years as a fun, fast, competive and exciting sport to watch.....keep the fans interested and involved.....once you go below the radar....uh oh.....who knows the outcome....

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:24 AM ET  06.28 by Flyers1986-87

Here's how the labor fight will do down: September 15th will come and there will be no settlement, so the owners will lock out the players. Whatever the issues they are talking about, the main sticking point will be that the owners will want the players to go from receiving 57% of the total revenue now to about 50-51% in the new CBA. Both sides will bark, there will be no games in October/November. December will come and Bettman will start making specific dates that will culminate in eventually cancelling the season if an agreement isn't reached by sometime around the New Year. The owners wont budge because they have all the leverage, and what will the players do this? Stand firm like they did in 2004-05 and cancel another season or cave and played a 50-60 game regular season? Only time will tell.....

I read an article today that quoted fehr as saying there was a possiblity they could "play through" the 13, September date. Ever the optimistic hedgehog...I hope it's true, though nothing in either guy's history shows a willingness to work toward the common (and fans') good

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:11 AM ET  06.28 by Slapshot

It takes awhile to find a nitwit who is as clueless as a pet rock, who has a complete lack of awareness of the importance of the game, who does not understand that a late October game meaning nothing can cost $150 and be savored with a $9.00 beer and a $6.00 hot dog by folks who just love hockey..........................but by God the NHLPA has found one. Sounds like a perfect negotiating partner for the Dwarf.

You forgot the $40 t-shirt and the $15 to park Slappy............Prey for the fall of the Fuhrer

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET  06.28 by Spiny Norman

I hope it's true, though nothing in either guy's history shows a willingness to work toward the common (and fans') good

This^^^

I would love to see the Buttgoblin and Fehr(ry) duke it out in a boxing ring.

I'm sure that the NHL sponsors and television executives are all waiting with baited breath...

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:07 AM ET  06.28 by Baun-ded=PH in MOTION

I'm sure that the NHL sponsors and television executives are all waiting with baited breath...

I'd like to see Comcast quietly speak to both sides and explain to them the investment that NBC has in the game and that Comcast would not be happy to lose 1/2 a season or a whole one. There is some leverage there to be used.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:48 AM ET  06.28 by Garbage Man

Random thoughtThere has to be a step stool behind that podium.

It's a short podium.

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 10:16 AM ET  06.28 by Nobody expects Phantomphan MMT

I'd like to see Comcast quietly speak to both sides and explain to them the investment that NBC has in the game and that Comcast would not be happy to lose 1/2 a season or a whole one. There is some leverage there to be used.

One would think....but two maybe not so much.

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 09:44 AM ET  06.28 by Harry Crack

You forgot the $40 t-shirt and the $15 to park Slappy............Prey for the fall of the Fuhrer

Not for me. Don't need anymore t-shirts and there is no parking fee in my basement.