NHL Strike

[Scubatooth]

thats what i thought it was over money. i wish these idiots(players) would quit whining about they dont get paid enough when there are people that work a 100x more in a year then they do and still complain about it. personally it doesnt bother me maybe these players will get a clue about the real world.

FWIW

tooth

 

[detroit diver]

thats what i thought it was over money. i wish these idiots(players) would quit whining about they dont get paid enough when there are people that work a 100x more in a year then they do and still complain about it. personally it doesnt bother me maybe these players will get a clue about the real world.

FWIW

tooth

Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Yes, the players are making an asbsurd amount of money, but the owners put them in that position. If someone were to pay you, say, $500,000 a year for 8 or 10 years, and then wanted to reduce that to, say, $250,000 a year (I'm just pulling numbers out of the air), you might be a little hesitant to agree to this. You grow into the lifestyle that is given to you. It's very hard to go back. Don't get me wrong- a quarter of a million dollars is a lot of money. But if your mortgages and payments are based on income of half a million dollars, you've got a big problem.

On the other hand, expansion of the league has not brought the expected revenues for the owners either. TV revenue is negligible. Attendance in new cities is marginal at best, and even the playoffs aren't bringing in the crowds. The brakes have to be put on, but stopping a moving train is slow at best.

 

[diverbrian]

Unfortunately Detroit Diver has an accurate assessment of the situation. The players have been saving up money out of those absurd salaries for this occassion as they have known that it is coming since the last strike. The owners are losing less money by not having games than they would be if the games were played.

It is at an impasse. Nobody wants to feel that they are doing the same job one day and making less money doing it. Honestly, I make twice or more what they could pay someone overseas (especially in China or India) to do much the same thing. Do you think that I would holler if if the company told me that they were cutting my salary (although I had done nothing wrong) based on that fact? You bet!

PS Hooking, hacking, holding... I am not a huge fan of it either, but that is why NHL have to either by hulking monsters or small guys that nobody can get a solid hit on. They call it defense. That is why a GAA of 4.00 used to be an all star goalie and now would be a quick ticket to the minor leagues.

 

[bedmund]

Ok, here's my take. Lose all but the original six (except for Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver). Ok, ok... grandfather in Tampa Bay since they won last year, but that's it. If they don't win this year then they're out too. Reduce the space behind the nets and the room in the neutral zone, and implement no-touch icing.

Oh... and no composite sticks!

 

[MikeC]

From some sources that I have talked to the big issue is the lead negotiators on both side have allowed this thing to get personal. If that is true hell will freeze first. Both sides need to get new negotiators and start over. Oh and if the owners were to replace that sorry excuse for a commissioner of the league, that would help.

 

[MikeC]

Reduce the space behind the nets and the room in the neutral zone, and implement no-touch icing.

What??? You want a rink like the old Boston Gardens or the Aud in Buffalo?? Man, I loved the Aud.

 

[detroit diver]

If you want to read a really fascinating book about hockey, check out this book at this website: www.careermisconduct.com

You will not believe the incredible amount of crap that went on between the league and the players association, among other things. The guy who owns the Chicago Blackhawks is the subject of the book, and he's a total slime bag. But there is much more to it than just him, and it's well worth the $13.00 if you're a hockey fan.

 

[Wristshot]

Yeah I miss hockey a LOT!

Remember that the owners are not actually trying to reduce any specific players' salaries, but to put limits on the total payroll for each team. That is supposed to allow most teams to control costs, and possibly make some moeny. Also it is supposed to allow the "Small Market" teams to be competitive by limiting what the bigger market teams can spend. (See New York Yankees)

Later, in negotiations they will have that limit in place to show players that they can't afford to pay every player a bazillion dollars each. That is a bit different than actually trying to reduce individual players' salaries.

If you ran a business, you would have to decide how much you can spend on salaries. If other companies were willing to pay more, then the best employees would go work for them for more money. (See New York Yankees) However, huge payrolls do not guarantee championships. (See New York Rangers)

Just a couple thoughts,

Wristshot

 

[detroit diver]

W-

You're correct of course, but the net effect is the same!

 

[dlndavid]

I went to a fight once and a hockey game broke out.