[pspot]

Well its over

so hopefully now the Raps games wont be the second story to no news stories....but im probably dreaming

lets just hope, the NBA is watching this and makes sure this doesnt happen to them

[speedythief]

I blame both sides, but the NHLPA is really the bad guy, here. They waited all this time just to fold and accept a cap, which everybody knew would happen eventually, but the snakes that run the PA wanted to wait to the last minute so it looked like they were trying to "save" the season rather than just giving in to the owners.

So then the NHLPA demands an outlandish cap (reportedly ~$49M) that very few teams could even afford to reach, and the NHL creeps upwards from $40M to try to appease them and they hold firm. First they didn't want a cap, then they did but only on their terms.

Hopefully this leads to the League ironing-out a system that will emulate the NFL's, but I doubt it. IMHO, any cap above $40M is too high and will result in contraction within five seasons.

[drlove_playa]

The NHLPA first wanted a cap of $52 million, now they say they won't budge on $49 million. But the NHL say all they can offer is $42.5 million.

It's about time those greedy *******s in the PA accept a deal. This is too much bull****. The players are losing millions of dollars, and the old veterans aren't getting any younger and getting closer to retirement. Also, I think alot of players are going to come in out of shape.

Not gonna be the same this year without any playoff hockey to watch.

[speedythief]

A couple of things that aren't being discussed enough:

1. Top international talent could start to remain in the Euro pro leagues instead of going to the NHL. Those leagues would grow and our level of talent would drop.

2. The draft. So, if they cancel this season, how are they going to hold a draft? Who gets the first pick? No draft?

[CrookedJ]

Originally posted by speedythief!
A couple of things that aren't being discussed enough:

1. Top international talent could start to remain in the Euro pro leagues instead of going to the NHL. Those leagues would grow and our level of talent would drop.

2. The draft. So, if they cancel this season, how are they going to hold a draft? Who gets the first pick? No draft?

Yes who gets Sidney Crosby? Does Washington get to pick number 1 two years in a row? Will a cap require teams like the Leafs/ Rangers/ Wings to give up several stars in order to reach a cap - if so don't all teams deserve a chance at the number one pick. The new CBA rules will govern draft picks, but since one hasn't been written yet what rules will be used?

[pspot]

^ ya i heard a player agent on the fan today, who respresents foreign players, and he talked about how a lot these players will just stay in Europe under the proposed salary structure. That would kill the talent pool of the NHL which is the exact opposite of what needs to be done, especially when those players are the ones bringing the skilled style of play, and if thats true the league defenitely will have to retract some clubs.

[CrookedJ]

Best part about hockey being over - no more useless sports "updates" where ******* reporters call in from some corner in NY where an NHL exec was spotted going into restaurant earlier that day. Those were painfull.

This years World Championships should be damn good any way.

[Zach]

I very well could have missed possibly the last season of one of my favorite players: Steve Yzerman.

Hockey should get rid of atleast 4-6 teams:

Carolina Hurricanes(unless Detroit plays there next year )
Florida Panthers
Nashville Predators
Phoenix Coyotes

Possibly:
San Jose Sharks
Atlanta Thrashers


If you don't catch my drift, Southern-Based teams are the problem in the NHL. Not alot of people in Raleigh care about hockey. Same as Phoenix and Nashville and Miami. The best teams profit-wise are all Northern-Based. Detroit, Toronto, Ottowa, Philly, Boston, and Colorado.


The NHL should be:

Western

Chicago
Dallas
Detroit
St. Louis
Anaheim
Calgary
Colorado
Edmonton
Los Angeles
Vancouver
Colombus
Minnesota

Eastern

New Jersey
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia
Tampa Bay
Washington
Boston
Buffalo
Montreal
Ottowa
Pittsburgh
Toronto

12 teams to a conference, 3 divisions of 4. Top 8 still advanced. The straw is off the NHL's back. And the players from the 6 teams are picked up via free agency-esque acquisation.

[CrookedJ]

Yep sorry dude but Stevie Y is done. I'm pretty sure he's even said so.

Retraction is a four letter word in the pro sports world, but it would help. Cut 6 teams and that is over 100 of the worst plyers in the league that will be back in the in the minors. So combine the strongest markets with stronger players and the "product" will greatly improve.

Its sad that many people don't "get" hockey down south, but then again no one watches Nascar up here so . . . I guess sport are succesful partially based on tradition - it's tough to break into a new market.

Its hard to market a sport that you can't play in the natural environment on a grass roots level - ie Pond Hockey.

[speedythief]

Stevie-Y is one of my all-time favourites as well, even if he is a product of the awful, chincy, corrupt Ottawa-region minor leagues. Every time me or my brother played in that area it was an ordeal almost down to the very last game.

Anyways, the problem with contraction, other than the fact that it shrinks the League's revenue, is that once it begins it's probably going to continue. 28 becomes 24 becomes 20, and the appeal of the League gradually receeds as well.

If it wasn't for Van City, Calgary and Edmonton, and to a lesser extent Denver, the League would ideally be located only in the Northeast, where the appeal is high and travelling isn't a disadvantage.


If I was in charge of slicing the League into a workable size, I think 24 teams would be fine. I think 24-20 teams is the ideal size for any of the four major pro leagues--big enough for huge revenue, small enough to prevent too much player movement and hopeless franchises.

I also think the season needs to be shortened. Many fans lose interest during the middle of the year then tune-in to see the playoff race and the post season. A 56-70 game season would be better for the quality of the game, the health of the players, the amount of travelling, and the closeness of the playoff race.

I would eliminate the tie/overtime loss point system and start to record standings by win/loss record only. Each tied game has a 10-minute overtime period with 4-on-4, followed by a shoot-out. Repeating overtime periods in the playoffs (no shootouts in the playoffs!).


I mean, there are so many things they could do to improve the product, but in the end the NHLPA and the League are only concerned with money and with competing with the other major pro sports leagues, which is hubris and will lead to the continued corrosion of the League and the sport in North America.

[pspot]

I heard Larry King say that Hockey was the best sport to watch on HD tv...which is kind of cool, and will hopefully help the game down south...better then a glowing puck i hope

one good thing has come out this...the Senators pretty much gave up their starting goalie and 2nd line Center for nothing...as im pretty sure we are never going to see Hasek in a Senators Jersey....well maybe Binghempton

[Zach]

Originally posted by CrookedJ!
Yep sorry dude but Stevie Y is done. I'm pretty sure he's even said so.

Retraction is a four letter word in the pro sports world, but it would help. Cut 6 teams and that is over 100 of the worst plyers in the league that will be back in the in the minors. So combine the strongest markets with stronger players and the "product" will greatly improve.

Its sad that many people don't "get" hockey down south, but then again no one watches Nascar up here so . . . I guess sport are succesful partially based on tradition - it's tough to break into a new market.

Its hard to market a sport that you can't play in the natural environment on a grass roots level - ie Pond Hockey.

Exactly. Plus hockey loses very little viewers down south and have less room to distribute which would mean more for each team. I first 'got' into hockey from a guy who was in the Army with my Mom. He was from Detroit, which is why I like the Wings. But anyways, less teams that nobody watches equals more money for teams people watch. I didn't add Tampa Bay because they looked very well-supported in the playoffs. Otherthan that, cut the 6 I named and problem solved.


OT: Who is everyone's favorite player?

I would have loved to have Stevie Y win one more Cup.

[Zach]

Originally posted by pspot!


as im pretty sure we are never going to see Hasek in a Senators Jersey....well maybe Binghempton

I second that

[TRON]

^Winner of the ugliest avatar on BBB.net

anyways, I'm happy as hell those hockey losers don't get to watch hockey this year, I used to like hockey, but clearly basketball is the superior sport!

I just hope this will mean that all the Canadian media can just leave this story alone...who, am I kidding, they'll probably start talking about it even more

[Zach]

Originally posted by TRON!
^Winner of the ugliest avatar on BBB.net

Don't hate on Dubya. We got enough people for that.