NHL No More? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Quadraton · 08-28-2004, 08:12 AM

There have been rumours floating in the wind about some rather unorthodox methods on solving the impending NHL lockout.

From the Ottawa Citizen:

Quote:

OTTAWA - National Hockey League team owners are now seriously considering forming a new league.

A team owner, who was speaking on condition that his identity was not divulged, says it might come as early as January.

Under the structure of the NHL, it has the ability to shutdown and begin in a new way, if extended negotiations with the players' union fail to reach a deal.

According to the owner, this possibility has become greater following fruitless attempts to reach a deal during contract bargainning with the players' association this week in Ottawa.

Ironically, the players have been considering the same thing.

Yikes! Be careful what you wish for. I find it interesting that the players are thinking of doing the same thing, which begs the question: Who would people watch? The teams own all the trademarks and logos, but the players own all the talent and star power. So would people rather watch the Vancouver Canucks with a bunch of minor leaguers, or would they rather watch the Vancouver Whales with all the stars? Some places like Montreal and Toronto may be hell-bent on tradition and would stick with the teams, but it's hard to say how other places might react.

In any case, these are all just rumours for now, but it will be interesting so see how the drama unfolds.

Antikarma · 08-28-2004, 12:08 PM

I figure its just positioning. I can't see either side doing this, and once again both sides are showing that it's easier to threaten than compromise.

It's incredible how easily people forget whats important once money is involved. Or maybe, I'm a fool for thinking money isn't what's most important.

*Getting old*

Nikilidstrom · 08-28-2004, 10:42 PM

Thats exactly how I feel, its all posturing. How convenient this anonomous owner wants to divulge this info now, with the talks seeming to be a at a stand still. The amout of money lost to everyone involved if that were to happen is prohibitive. My prediction, as much as its worth, is a repeat of the 94-95 shutdown, which ended in a long term agreement neither side really liked and half a season lost. The only ones who are going to get screwed in this deal is the fans, who are still going to be paying insane ticket prices and have no hockey for a long time.

Serpent · 08-29-2004, 01:35 PM

I don't think the NHLPA can do jack shit other than wait it out, they have a big bargining chip, but no capital to start their own league. The NHL owners and the players need each other in order to work, So unless the owners of the teams ditch the NHL and pay the players what they want, i doubt there will be an 04-05 season. The bad thing is, is both sides think there way is best, and unless a 3rd party gets involved, nothing will be solved.

Go_AVS · 08-29-2004, 06:53 PM

the funny thing is, I truely love hockey but this year I don't really care if the NHL starts in January. I will save a ton of money on my season tickets and I really care most about the playoffs. Football season will hold me over until the SuperBowl so why not start the NHL early Feb. Let all the owners forgo their ticket revenue and the player forgo their pay and then maybe they can leave their egos at the door and make a deal...

Go Broncos....

Nikilidstrom · 08-29-2004, 08:48 PM

[QUOTE=Go_AVS] Let all the owners forgo their ticket revenue and the player forgo their pay and then maybe they can leave their egos at the door and make a deal...QUOTE]

If they were both willing to do that, then the NHL wouldn't be in the mess its in right now.

tiltedbc · 08-29-2004, 09:55 PM

I predict the NHL will stay intact after both sides beat each other up without really gaining anything they couldn't have worked out already. Just like almost every sports league has done - i.e. baseball for example. Do the fans really suffer? No, since the NHL (and players) are on the business side of things selling an overpriced product to "fans" who are willing to pay whatever it cost. Don't ask me who these people are or how they can afford it, but they're out there.

The crappy thing about all of this is that the actual game of hockey really sucks to watch. The referees seem to follow the same patterns (calling penalties at the end of periods etc..) and they can decide the outcome without having to answer for it. Then you've got things like The Trap which so many teams love to play.

I won't miss it if they don't play this year since I've already decided not to watch now that I've discovered internet porn.

lemans · 09-06-2004, 09:53 AM

The Fans don't suffer but the people who are associated with the hockey business will suffer. The ushers, managers, concessions... all these people will lose their low paying jobs compared to the players who can live off their millions for years. Even the hotels/restaurant industry in their respective city will suffer.

08-28-2004, 12:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Antikarma Psycho Location: Yellowknife, NWT	I figure its just positioning. I can't see either side doing this, and once again both sides are showing that it's easier to threaten than compromise. It's incredible how easily people forget whats important once money is involved. Or maybe, I'm a fool for thinking money isn't what's most important. Getting old __________________ "Whoever you are, go out into the evening, leaving your room, of which you know each bit; your house is the last before the infinite, whoever you are."

08-28-2004, 10:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nikilidstrom Stick it in your five hole! Location: Michigan, USA	Thats exactly how I feel, its all posturing. How convenient this anonomous owner wants to divulge this info now, with the talks seeming to be a at a stand still. The amout of money lost to everyone involved if that were to happen is prohibitive. My prediction, as much as its worth, is a repeat of the 94-95 shutdown, which ended in a long term agreement neither side really liked and half a season lost. The only ones who are going to get screwed in this deal is the fans, who are still going to be paying insane ticket prices and have no hockey for a long time. Last edited by Nikilidstrom; 09-06-2004 at 11:01 AM..

08-29-2004, 06:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
Go_AVS CSU RAM fan Location: Hockey time....	the funny thing is, I truely love hockey but this year I don't really care if the NHL starts in January. I will save a ton of money on my season tickets and I really care most about the playoffs. Football season will hold me over until the SuperBowl so why not start the NHL early Feb. Let all the owners forgo their ticket revenue and the player forgo their pay and then maybe they can leave their egos at the door and make a deal... Go Broncos.... __________________ MIA...

08-29-2004, 01:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Serpent Insane Location: florida	I don't think the NHLPA can do jack shit other than wait it out, they have a big bargining chip, but no capital to start their own league. The NHL owners and the players need each other in order to work, So unless the owners of the teams ditch the NHL and pay the players what they want, i doubt there will be an 04-05 season. The bad thing is, is both sides think there way is best, and unless a 3rd party gets involved, nothing will be solved.

08-29-2004, 08:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nikilidstrom Stick it in your five hole! Location: Michigan, USA	[QUOTE=Go_AVS] Let all the owners forgo their ticket revenue and the player forgo their pay and then maybe they can leave their egos at the door and make a deal...QUOTE] If they were both willing to do that, then the NHL wouldn't be in the mess its in right now.

08-29-2004, 09:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
tiltedbc Crazy Location: BC, Canada	I predict the NHL will stay intact after both sides beat each other up without really gaining anything they couldn't have worked out already. Just like almost every sports league has done - i.e. baseball for example. Do the fans really suffer? No, since the NHL (and players) are on the business side of things selling an overpriced product to "fans" who are willing to pay whatever it cost. Don't ask me who these people are or how they can afford it, but they're out there. The crappy thing about all of this is that the actual game of hockey really sucks to watch. The referees seem to follow the same patterns (calling penalties at the end of periods etc..) and they can decide the outcome without having to answer for it. Then you've got things like The Trap which so many teams love to play. I won't miss it if they don't play this year since I've already decided not to watch now that I've discovered internet porn.

09-06-2004, 09:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
lemans Tilted	The Fans don't suffer but the people who are associated with the hockey business will suffer. The ushers, managers, concessions... all these people will lose their low paying jobs compared to the players who can live off their millions for years. Even the hotels/restaurant industry in their respective city will suffer.