"Bet"man was very clear that the next offer (as in next year) would be significantly less because the sport would be worth less.
I believe him to be 100% correct. The smart thing for the players to do would be to offer 45m if the league says no take the 42.5 and STFU already and play.
I believe him to be 100% correct. The smart thing for the players to do would be to offer 45m if the league says no take the 42.5 and STFU already and play.
At this point I am sure the NHL realizes that even $42 mil is too much. That would have worked had they started the season at that number. The fallout after the cancellation makes that much clear. I think they should just agree to a $45 mil or whatever and do it for 3 years. Both sides give something up there. The owners still probably lose money, but they won't be able to go nuts anymore with the contracts. No more $70 mil payrolls will do some good for the league. Then they can fight it out again with a better understanding of what the real cap economics are. Then again, this all makes way too much sense to happen.
I hope you're right but it seems like you're basically saying that the deal will be worked out because it is the smartest thing for the union to do.
I can't buy that logic. I've been watching airhead behavior from the union for too long. I see no reason to expect them to suddenly stop shooting themselves in the foot now.
I'm agreeing with the premise of the posters in this thread but reaching a different conclusion: I say it would be smart for the union to give a little right now - but they're too idiotic and they won't. They will eventually - but they're going to piss away some more of that treasure chest first.
Rock-heads.
I can't buy that logic. I've been watching airhead behavior from the union for too long. I see no reason to expect them to suddenly stop shooting themselves in the foot now.
I'm agreeing with the premise of the posters in this thread but reaching a different conclusion: I say it would be smart for the union to give a little right now - but they're too idiotic and they won't. They will eventually - but they're going to piss away some more of that treasure chest first.
Rock-heads.
Hockey News is reporting a deal made at a $45 million salary cap. Interesting stuff.
If you ask me play into summertime. Amazes me how people talk about the lack of interest from fans, but when you play your games in the midst of the NBA playoffs what would you expect? Arenas aren't booked during the summer, finish the season in July if you have to. Real hockey fans around the world will be watching no matter when it ends and with this charade it is questionable just how many marginal or non-fans would watch it no matter when it is played. If someone really says they would rather watch regular season baseball than the NHL playoffs, that is someone the NHL has no chance of converting anyways.
If you ask me play into summertime. Amazes me how people talk about the lack of interest from fans, but when you play your games in the midst of the NBA playoffs what would you expect? Arenas aren't booked during the summer, finish the season in July if you have to. Real hockey fans around the world will be watching no matter when it ends and with this charade it is questionable just how many marginal or non-fans would watch it no matter when it is played. If someone really says they would rather watch regular season baseball than the NHL playoffs, that is someone the NHL has no chance of converting anyways.
Smith, I agree, I used to be a huge fan but they stole my team and watered the league down so bad that its painfull to watch now. Who wants to watch Atlanta vs. Columbus? Not even the people who live there do. But I still hope for a return of my team, and to a style of hockey that is entertaining again.
Looks like a deal is done, maybe now that they know where they fit in on the sports landscape they can take hockey back to where its a passion. The big experiment has failed, they are not the NFL or NBA with lucrative tv deals, players will be paid accordingly and hopefully hockey will move back to its roots.
Looks like a deal is done, maybe now that they know where they fit in on the sports landscape they can take hockey back to where its a passion. The big experiment has failed, they are not the NFL or NBA with lucrative tv deals, players will be paid accordingly and hopefully hockey will move back to its roots.
