OT: NHL's Last Chance?

[RPI-Fan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[Draft Dodger]

honestly, I'd rather see NO season at this point.

[Maple Leafs]

It's over, folks. Move along.

[RPI-Fan]

I think sachmo71 summed up my feelings on this QUITE well back in October...

Originally Posted by sachmo71

I'm flipping through channels, and on FOX Sports, I see the word Stars. I stop, and it's the Dallas Stars Ultimate Collection, which is a show that hilights big games in Dallas Stars history. The first half hour was the first regular season game in Dallas.

Dallas vs. Detroit.
Moog vs. Chevalde
6-4, Dallas. First goal scored by Neil Broten, of course.

It just made me realize how much I miss hockey, and how strange it is to not have it. I'm yelling "GO!" at the tv, hoping Russ Courtnall will carry it up ice, and leaping when they score.

I miss freaking hockey, and I want it BACK!!! Now, you spoiled fuckers!!!

[bbor]

And the ship goes sailing past the port.

[bbor]

.....and it's the Dallas Stars Ultimate Collection, which is a show that hilights big games in Dallas Stars history......

How long was this show?

30 seconds?

[klayman]

If the season is wiped out, the Stanley Cup wouldn't be awarded for the first time since 1919, when a flu epidemic canceled the final series between Seattle and Montreal. The NHL would then become the first major North American sports league to lose an entire season because of a labor dispute.

Well, at least the NHL has that going for it, right?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I think the show was long enough to show six slow-motion replays of Brett Hull's skate in the crease.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by bbor

.....and it's the Dallas Stars Ultimate Collection, which is a show that hilights big games in Dallas Stars history......

Highlight #3 -- the day that Billy Bob finally figured out the icing rule.

(Sorry. Bitter hockey fan here.)

[samifan24]

Jason Spezza doesn't seem to mind. He's going crazy in the AHL.

[EagleFan]

I don't miss hockey at this point. At least what the current state of hockey is. What I miss is the hockey of the 80's, when the skilled players were allowed to skate and less talented teams weren't propped up by the rules allowing them to mug the skilled players. Unless the NHL can come back in a better state, I could care less if it dies on the vine.

I would have said that about MLB a couple seasons ago but the past season has begun to look more like real baseball and less like a glorified homerun derby with steroid injected freaks.

The NBA can just go away as well. Unless they actually start calling the game by it's official rules again and not turning it into "street ball".

The NFL is about the only league that seems to get it.

[bbor]

Originally Posted by samifan24

Jason Spezza doesn't seem to mind. He's going crazy in the AHL.

Finally a perfect league for him to play in....All offense no defense

[amdaily]

definitly

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

honestly, I'd rather see NO season at this point.

Agreed. It would most definitely cut into the Poker broadcasts

[j51]

1999 Dallas
1967 Toronto

No wonder you're bitter!

[klayman]

Originally Posted by j51

No wonder you're bitter!

ZING!!!!

Edit: Oops. Forgot to mention Kerry Fraser!
/ducks

[Ksyrup]

I've been catching up on an awful lot of Crank Yankers and South Park reruns this hockey season. There is just nothing else on without hockey. I've even almost finished my Columbo Season 1 DVD - the entire 5 discs.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The timing of this whole thing just sucks. When I left for Europe at the begining of 2002 everything was great! The Wings had assembled one of the greatest line-ups in NHL history and were on their way to their Third cup in six years.

Now, I come back and there's nothing. Nothing... At the moment, I am sort of used to not watching hockey. It was a tough adjustment, but after 3 years you get used to listening to it on the internet, in the morning, at work, well after the game is over.

It's going to hit right around the first/second week of April. Play-off tme. There is a certain type of spring day that always, always, reminds of the play-offs. When that day happens and there is no hockey to be watched...

Maybe it will finally be time for me to break out my VHS collection of every Red Wings play-off victory in '97, '98, and '00. Good times... Good times...

[Ksyrup]

See, lucky for me, I enjoy hockey and use it to fill up my winters, but it's not what baseball is to me. By March, I'll be so into baseball that I won't remember hockey even exists. And then there's March Madness. And then in April, baseball starts for real and we've got the NFL draft.

Aside from now through February, I think it is more likely to hit me in June than any other time, when the basketball playoffs get into high gear (yuck).

[samifan24]

Hey, you're lucky to have a 'greatest games' collection in storage. My good old days are the days of the Whale. If Karmanos made a similar collection, he would show the trucks hauling everything away.

:weeps for the good old days of Hartford Whalers hockey:

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Highlight #3 -- the day that Billy Bob finally figured out the icing rule.

(Sorry. Bitter hockey fan here.)

You're bitter about what?

I'm sure we've had this conversation before, but I can't remember you line of thinking. Since I know that I still respect you, it must have been deeper than what I'm reading here.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

You're bitter about what?

As in "bitter about there being no hockey, and just randomly lashing out at everyone". Nothing personal against Stars fans.

[RPI-Fan]

You know... I just got to thinking about what makes me realize I like hockey so much more than other stuff... in other sports, when someone roots for another team, I might not like it, but I understand it.

In hockey, when someone roots for the Wings, or the Avs, I think to myself "What the hell is wrong with them?!?!" Just don't get that same feeling with other sports.

~rpi-fan

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

As in "bitter about there being no hockey, and just randomly lashing out at everyone". Nothing personal against Stars fans.

Good to hear.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

You know... I just got to thinking about what makes me realize I like hockey so much more than other stuff... in other sports, when someone roots for another team, I might not like it, but I understand it.

In hockey, when someone roots for the Wings, or the Avs, I think to myself "What the hell is wrong with them?!?!" Just don't get that same feeling with other sports.

~rpi-fan

What?!?!?

Explain yourself, man!

What's wrong with rooting for the Wings? They're a beacon of light! They're all good. Steve Yzerman, man! Steve. Yzerman. I could go on, but I think, in the immortal words of Stan Lee, that's "'nuff said."

But I totally get your point about Avs fans. It's a character flaw.

[bob]

According to Mike and Mike in the morning on ESPN today, the current proposal includes a season of 24 games, followed by a playoff in which all teams are included. It would be a series of 3 games up until either the semi-finals or the Stanley Cup finals....

Not sure how true this is, but tell me that wouldn't generate excitement for hockey again.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by bob

According to Mike and Mike in the morning on ESPN today, the current proposal includes a season of 24 games, followed by a playoff in which all teams are included. It would be a series of 3 games up until either the semi-finals or the Stanley Cup finals....

Not sure how true this is, but tell me that wouldn't generate excitement for hockey again.

ANYTHING

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

What?!?!?

Explain yourself, man!

What's wrong with rooting for the Wings? They're a beacon of light! They're all good. Steve Yzerman, man! Steve. Yzerman. I could go on, but I think, in the immortal words of Stan Lee, that's "'nuff said."

But I totally get your point about Avs fans. It's a character flaw.

Haha, I'm an Isles fan, just bitter at all teams with big pocketbooks, pretty much (and yes, I'm implying that the Wings owner carries a pocketbook).

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Haha, I'm an Isles fan, just bitter at all teams with big pocketbooks, pretty much (and yes, I'm implying that the Wings owner carries a pocketbook).

Ah! The Isle!!

Well, yeah, Ilitch does have a rather sizeable pocket book and tends to get the players he wants. I can see where it'd be frustrating, especially if you're stuck with (1) Mad Mike making all sorts of f'd up moves and (2) watching hockey in the Mausoleum.

After taking the Isles over in EHM:FE (it was a random selection), that Yashin deal is one huge freaking albatros around the neck of the team. He's making $8.5 million a year until 2011!! That's freakin' insane!

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Ah! The Isle!!

Well, yeah, Ilitch does have a rather sizeable pocket book and tends to get the players he wants. I can see where it'd be frustrating, especially if you're stuck with (1) Mad Mike making all sorts of f'd up moves and (2) watching hockey in the Mausoleum.

After taking the Isles over in EHM:FE (it was a random selection), that Yashin deal is one huge freaking albatros around the neck of the team. He's making $8.5 million a year until 2011!! That's freakin' insane!

It might seem that way, but without him the Isles just fall apart out there, even though he isn't putting up the big numbers. I don't think they can make the playoffs without him.

Edit: And Milbury demonstrated he's learned his lesson when passing over Amonte, Kariya, Selanne, et al.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

See, lucky for me, I enjoy hockey and use it to fill up my winters, but it's not what baseball is to me. By March, I'll be so into baseball that I won't remember hockey even exists. And then there's March Madness. And then in April, baseball starts for real and we've got the NFL draft.

Aside from now through February, I think it is more likely to hit me in June than any other time, when the basketball playoffs get into high gear (yuck).

This is almost a carbon copy of my feelings except I don't really care that much for the NFL. It's good and all but it still is third to me behind baseball with hockey happily in second.

SI

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by bob

According to Mike and Mike in the morning on ESPN today, the current proposal includes a season of 24 games, followed by a playoff in which all teams are included. It would be a series of 3 games up until either the semi-finals or the Stanley Cup finals....

My first thought is that a 24-game series would be fascinating, with every game mattering almost as much as an NFL game.

My second thought is that allowing every team into the playoffs pretty much kills off my first throught.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

My first thought is that a 24-game series would be fascinating, with every game mattering almost as much as an NFL game.

My second thought is that allowing every team into the playoffs pretty much kills off my first throught.

Agreed. That makes the 24 game regular season basically little more than a 24 game pre-season.

They should do a 24 games season. First round is best 3 of 5 and the rest best 4 out of 7. Like the old NBA style.

[Capital]

I understand why they want to let everyone in the playoffs this year, but that's just not really possible because 30 teams doesn't fit well into a bracket. That would mean that 1 team in each conference would get a bye. What they should do is let 24 teams into the playoffs, which would give 4 teams a first round bye. Play this prelim rounds either 2/3 or 3/5.

[Ksyrup]

I found both of these interesting, although not surprising in the least.


Baseball players do not want to see the NHL succeed in getting a cap. This is why MLBPA head Donald Fehr has been in touch with NHL union chief Bob Goodenow and it is why, as some of the Penguins have confided, baseball players actually have penned letters to hockey players advising them to hang tough through the lockout. Fehr and the baseball players have no wish to be standing alone on an island.
-- Post-Gazette.com
A Zogby poll conducted in December found that only 42 percent of Americans knew the NHL season hadn't started yet. In a recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll, 50 percent of those surveyed said they would not be disappointed if the 2004-05 season were canceled. The NHL is supported by a limited percentage of the population. That might suggest those fans will return once the games do. When the NHL returned with a 48-game season after a lockout to begin the 1994-95 season, leaguewide attendance went up. So the fan base may be silent, but many suggest the majority likely will return to the game.
-- Minneapolis Star-Tribune

[SoxWin]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

honestly, I'd rather see NO season at this point.

Indeed. Also, the Stanley Cup should be awarded to the best team in Canada which was the original deal made by Lord Stanley. Fuck the NHL, give it to the winner of the AHL or the CHL playoffs.

[Kodos]

If they are going to let everyone into the playoffs, why even have a season at all?

[MizzouRah]

My license plate reads, "Bleed Blue" - actually "BLBLUE". I miss hockey, especially now that football is coming to a close and baseball is still a bit away.


Todd

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

My license plate reads, "Bleed Blue" - actually "BLBLUE". I miss hockey, especially now that football is coming to a close and baseball is still a bit away.


Todd

Might I suggest a slight revision to your license plate? How about "H_Blue"? It'd be a hit with the ladies!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Kodos

If they are going to let everyone into the playoffs, why even have a season at all?

My first thought exactly ... until I remembered that the owners don't give a damn about the game, only about a chance to make a buck.

and

Originally Posted by ksyrup

So the fan base may be silent, but many suggest the majority likely will return to the game.

Hmm ... that kinda makes me think that hockey attendance, or the reasoning used by many who buy tickets, is probably better paralleled to concerts than to other US sports. It isn't so much a "I've just got to see a game" as it is "Let's go do something"

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Might I suggest a slight revision to your license plate? How about "H_Blue"? It'd be a hit with the ladies!

Todd

[thrym]

I'm no Gump but...WHY couldn't the management of the NHL teams open the doors and say, if you want to play, come on in! They could work out a salary that was incentive rich and offer the same one to everyone...AND...when no one shows up, you declare this as a work stoppage/strike NOT a lockout...

Then BRING ON THE SCABS!!! It worked in the NFL!

Oh and then, last but not least, you FIRE Bittman...bring the NHL back to 24, relocating several of the teams back to Canada; Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg(Phoenix), Quebec(Nashville), Oshawa(TB), Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, & Toronto(x2 +FLA). Keep Boston, Chicago, Detroit, NYRangers, Philadelphia, St. Louis, LAKings, Colorado(just leave'm out there i guess), combine the old Stars with the Wild(NorthStars), New Jersey, Pittsburgh & Buffalo(maybe . Go ahead and keep the Ducks(cause they have the money backing them) and then let the rest BID on the final spot, high bid gets in...with preference given to teams in the league prior to 1989

THEN, change the names BACK to Prince of Wales and Campbell DAMNIT. Smythe, Norris, Adams and Patrick as well...BECAUSE its history...without considering a leagues history, why not just change Lord Stanley's Cup to the Nextel Trophy or the Alltel Cup, let the highest bidder change the name year to year...BEcause its HISTORY...Bittmen didn't forget this...HE NEVER KNEW IT!!! ARRRRRRGGGGG!!!

Ok, just had a pissed off "KING OF THE WORLD" moment, sorry...thanks for reading tho.

[Ryan S]

Originally Posted by thrym

I'm no Gump but...WHY couldn't the management of the NHL teams open the doors and say, if you want to play, come on in! They could work out a salary that was incentive rich and offer the same one to everyone...

I doubt the owners would be able to do this as the players have contracts.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Might I suggest a slight revision to your license plate? How about "H_Blue"? It'd be a hit with the ladies!

It makes it easier to see who I should run off the road

SI

[Anthony]

not if they "folded" and renamed themselves the NLH (National League of Hockey). i'm sure these contracts have buyouts too.

i alwasy wished the owners would sac-up and just start over with new players. force the new players to sign a contract beneficial to the league. make it so that "if you want to play hockey for this league, you'll do so under our terms" kind of thing. owners in every psorts except football have given players unions waaaay too much power.

[thrym]

Originally Posted by Ryan S

I doubt the owners would be able to do this as the players have contracts.

You may be right...I got the cart infront of the horse, so-to-speak.

Its important to make this a "strike" as opposed to a 'lockout' or 'work-stoppage'. If the players are refusing to work, then that should nullify some or all of their current contracts. I think that was an underlying theme to the NFL Strike in the 80s when the Scabs played...if they don't want to play for their current salary, we can find someone who will suit up!

[bbor]

Last one out turn off the lights eh.......and the ice maker.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

It makes it easier to see who I should run off the road

SI

The ladies would certainly NOT like that. No. They wouldn't like that at all.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by thrym

I'm no Gump but...WHY couldn't the management of the NHL teams open the doors and say, if you want to play, come on in! They could work out a salary that was incentive rich and offer the same one to everyone...AND...when no one shows up, you declare this as a work stoppage/strike NOT a lockout...

Because the league and the union work under a CBA, the league can not just unilaterally declare new working conditions (even if some players would accept them). At least not yet.

The league needs to go to court to declare an impasse in talks. When that happens, then they can simply declare a new CBA and open the doors for the players (and scabs). But in order to get a court to agree on an impasse they have to show that they've bargained in good faith and tried to reach a deal. And that means that realistically they need to let at least a year go by.

The league swears up and down that replacement players are not part of the plan. But a cynic would suggest that this entire year of "talks" has just been a smokescreen -- a case of the league doing the minimum amount of talking necessary allow them to declare an impasse after a year, and follow the NFL model of using scabs to break the union.

[Anthony]

i hope that's the case.

i agree with it - they certainly let a lto fo time in between meetings go by. not like the NBA, where both sides met almost on a daily basis trying to hammer something out. there is no sense of urgency on the NHL's part. with their stance that they lose less money by not playing, it seems like they made that to justify a lack of willingless to hammer something out and simply let time run it's course.

in any event i'd really become a fan of the game if that happens.

[thrym]

Agreed and well put...now, do we start this year of 'talks' from September 9th or can we retroactively move it back to say, sometime early in '04? Please...I don't mind loosing a year of NHL...2 years, well thats pushing it, but if it means we can have hockey back and done up RIGHT...I will sacrifice some of our aging players for that.