someone has to have some pull

[Millhouse]

Someone out here has to have some pull to get a vote by NHLPA players on whether they support the PA or not. With Hammy and Neuvy making comments, you wonder what and how many players share the same opinion

[9601]

As I quietly predicted its come down to the hardcore-stick-it-to-Bettman-at-all-costs players against the hardcore-we're-gonna-win-this-one-again owners. Hamrlik has been through three lockouts, so has every right to complain. He is most definitely not the only player (along with Neuvirth) who feels this way.
Credit to him for sticking by his comments.

[dongjohnson]

I'm just days away, possibly only 14, from personally pulling the plug on this season. It's just pigheadedness at this point, on both sides. Regardless of when it comes back, I'm getting more and more likely to opt out.

[blayze]

I'm just days away, possibly only 14, from personally pulling the plug on this season. It's just pigheadedness at this point, on both sides. Regardless of when it comes back, I'm getting more and more likely to opt out.

Someone's been taking negotiation lessons from Bettman and the NHL on setting artificial deadlines... 14 days huh

[dongjohnson]

Someone's been taking negotiation lessons from Bettman and the NHL on setting artificial deadlines... 14 days huh

Now you're getting it. How would they like it if we began using the same negotiating tactics they did? We want to be "made whole" too! Hey players, owners, you guys better give us some free exhibition games!

[blayze]

Now you're getting it. How would they like it if we began using the same negotiating tactics they did? We want to be "made whole" too! Hey players, owners, you guys better give us some free exhibition games!

Except that their bullshit deadlines (ie: empty threats) are not effective and neither are ours haha

[Carcillo]

Except that their bullshit deadlines (ie: empty threats) are not effective and neither are ours haha

How were they empty threats? So far when the league has put a deadline they've actually meant it.

"We need this offer accepted in 9 days so we can still 82 game season or we're cancelling games." - No deal so the league cancelled all of November games and then Winter Classic. Yeah doesn't sound like empty threat to me.

[kevinsrangers]

i've turned into a pessimist because of this lockout. not happy.

[Ross The Boss Palmer]

I think some games should be free, that was a great suggestion. It would be the best way to counter act the negative momentum caused by the lockout. Not likely to happen, but when the lockout ends, if the owners were smart they would share in the costs in putting on some free games for fan appreciation.

If only the world worked like my mind.

[hockeymanG23]

I would bet a large portion of the players and owners want to get this over with. They all lose so much the longer it goes on but the individuals with the least overall to lose on both the owners and players sides seem to be driving the ship.... into a reef.... of lost profits.

These are the ones who have already have made the big bucks so they wait until the weakest link can take no more. It's dirty and a poor promotion for the league on a whole since in the near future it will be seen as less stable.... That is surely a great way to grow a market.

I can understand where the owners may feel they are paying the "employees" too much. Fair enough. Fact is the teams that want to win bad enough and can afford to do so will pay what they need to so they can win at all costs, right? Winning is good for business.

Lockouts are bad for business and poor markets are bad for business. I do not doubt there are exceptional fans in every "non typical" hockey market. But teams need to have some legitimacy and many in the NHL seem to lack it.

I'm sure the failing markets have their hardcore fans, but I live in a thriving Canucks market and I cheer for the Flyers. Point being that hockey fans will find a legit team to cheer for even if they exist across the country. Many of the markets that seem to be dragging overall profits down are not in hockey hyped locations. I've never seen the passion in a Carolina, Tampa, Columbus crowd etc. so I won't presume there is no potential there, but I would bet the smart money that they are not the ideal places to make a hockey profit.

The NHL isn't as poor as I think they want us to believe, they just don't want to share among themselves without overall cuts so this may unfortunately last a while.

At this point I urge you all to get more involved with the game at your home town level. Play hockey, take your kids out to skate, visit your minor league team (yeah, it may be kind of shoddy) it's all good fun. F$%k the fat cats!

[hawkdog]

gotta feel for Hamrlik, Selanne, Alfie,

Can't believe I actually watched a CFL game on the weekend, its pathetic.

[thepiper]

I'm just days away, possibly only 14, from personally pulling the plug on this season. It's just pigheadedness at this point, on both sides. Regardless of when it comes back, I'm getting more and more likely to opt out.

My H2H league is just days away from its first lock out! HAaaaaaaaa I cant wait to add Bettman 2012-13 to the leagues cup! Haaaaaaaa

Ooooh I'm FN SNAPPING!