NHL 2013 Thread
 

Here's the new digs....


Issue Number #1.....will the season even start on time. Bettman says that if there is not a new CBA on Sept. 15th, the owners will be locking the players out.

Fehr says the sides are "far apart" on basic economic issues.

I'm already nervous that things aren't going to start on time. After cancelling the whole 2004 season, can the NHL afford to do this again so soon?

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

No way the NHL can afford a lockout. They already struggle to get viewers. If this happens they will be losing a lot of money and interest.

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

Not looking good, who's at fault, the owners got everything they asked for last lockout now player salaries are up dramatically since 03, the rich owners are richer but the poor owners are poorer. The players (after feeling like they conceeded everything the owners wanted last time) won't be willing to make any concessions this time around. A lockout may be the only thing that saves a couple of the franchises from having to start cutting paychecks until ownership issues are fixed.

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

After the offseason the Wild have had, I desperately hope that it starts on time. People have been absolutely buzzing in the Twin Cities area since July about the team.

As for the league as a whole, they definitely can't afford another labor issue like they had before. The league is making a comeback in a number of markets, at least. But therea re those that it appreas to be struggling in. The question that needs to beasked is if those markets were viable markets to begin with. Move franchises? Contract franchises? What's the best things to do? I have no idea. I do think that realignment will help the league out, though. Bring back some of the more natural geographic rivalries (I have the old Norris Division in mind).

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

I'm with you on rekindling the old rivalries. Realignment is needed. Bettman doesn't get it though. I love watching hockey but it is primarily a regional sport. The league had the best product when it was a 21 team league. I doubt they can contract enough to get there, but eliminating two teams would help. 24-28 teams would be ideal. IMO the talent is spread too thin. That doesn't help the owners' position when it's time to negotiate. Guys who can score 25 goals are getting offered deals in the 9 digit range because there's no talent available. The poor wording of the existing CBA concerning long contracts is another reason. Any talent gets locked up for 10 years due to the lower cap hit. Maybe a soft cap like the NBA's is better. Not sure but trying to keep teams alive like the Panthers and the Coyotes look like a no win situation. If the league owns the teams, contract them, have a contraction draft and move on. End result is a better product. Problem is NHLPA won't go for it. Less players = less power/money for them.

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

The stars finally have what looks to be responsible ownership. Its too bad there is a good chance the season will be impacted like this. Crossing fingers things change quickly, but history suggests otherwise.

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Hawks need Hossa for the start of the season. He says he'll be ready, but time will tell.

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I am not going to waste any time following the process. I will ramp up once they settle. This is becoming too common for the major sports...

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Yep me to..all the bull gets tiresome.

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I agree as well but this is getting old especially when it is the only pro sport (besides the Broncos) that I truly follow. Hopefully they will get a CBA quickly but I am not holding out hope :2

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Whether the season starts on time or a little late, one thing is certain: This is long overdue.

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Wouldn't hold my breath this season either, Fred... ;)

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+1

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The owners wants to get the salaries down. Right now players get 57% of the revenue. It's funny that the NBA was at the exact same place this past year.
NHL owners want to see 46%. That won't happen. 50%, like the NBA players agreed to, would go over pretty easy, I think.
Who doesn't feel that 50/50 is fair, right?

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

At last nights game.....

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/...TrevorwLSC.jpg

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

You're almost certainly right. I was just covering my eventual "What did I tell you" basis, in case it did happen. Realistically, though, I think it should happen within 5 years or so, considering the core of players and the upcoming prospects. (Hey, there's no "fingers crossed" smilie?)

I'm for any agreement that would get the season started on time, but I don't count on it.

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

Cause the red wings are going to win it this year right tom? :)

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Only if Lidstrom and Gordie Howe come out of retirement. ;)

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I hope its not true but I have a feeling that if they play red wings will either just barely make the playoffs or fail miserably I don't think they are going to be the dominate team they once were

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Avs make Landeskog the youngest C in NHL history, at the age of 19. Hejduk gave up the C and moves to an A with Stastny.....

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

ESPN.com said a lockout is "all but certain" at this point. The sides don't have any further negotiations scheduled, and plan to return to the table only if one side has a significant change of position.

At this point, I am just hoping they will be playing by Thanksgiving. :(

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

I agree. I always look forward to each season, aside from watching the Broncos, I have lost a lot of interest in the NFL the last 15 or so years :rolleyes:

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Be sad to see the momentum they have gained "south of the border" the last few years trashed by a prolonged lockout.

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3rd??? Lockout under Bateman? Last time the players gave up everything, WTF is going on with the guys driving this? $$$ is up, correct? There have not been a lack of big contracts this offseason... I shake my head at this whole thing.

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Millionaires battling Billionaires. The fans are the only losers in this fight. :2

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Won't they ever learn? This crap sets them back years in the sight of the fans and usually at the turnstiles.

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This is going to suck. Not looking good.
I agree a 50/50 split seems fair.

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The NHL and NHLPA met yesterday again. Looks like the Union basically proposed the same thing it did back in early August. Active CBA ends in 2 days, so things look bad. Really hoping for things to get worked out soon:ih

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I REALLY think we'll get an abbreviated season at best... Nothing is going to happen until a chunk of games are missed and both sides are losing $$$$$.

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There better be a season

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I am hoping for NHL hockey by Thanksgiving. :hn

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I've heard some withing for a total meltdown in the hopes it'll end up with teams being contracted, realignment, and more. I admit my usual excitement for the upcoming season isn't what it use do be thanks to the lame offseason by the Wings.

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

i am(and always have been)on the side of the players.

50/50 split...players will be lucky(really lucky) to get this after the nba settlement last year.the players and owners remain steadfast with there stance. and just exactly what revenues are they going to share.

this and a salary rollback appear to be the main issue...i know if i was offered a 23% wage cut(for the second time)...i would be willing to walk away from my job...forever.

where is the wha when you need em...time is right for a second pro league.

to me a perfect solution would be a 16 game season followed by the playoffs...regular season is way way too long.players would be happy to play 16 games at 500,000 per game.

doesnt help that the commish looks like the count from sesame street...thats one...one lockout...thats two...two wonderful lockouts...

frustrated fan rambles on
derrek

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...hog3/count.jpg

Mwa-ah-ah.....

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Both sides are to blame. The players for their part in shaping the prior CBA. The owners and their GMs for circumventing the intention of the CBA with legalese to give themselves the best competitive edge possible. It'll never change. Laywers write the CBA from both ends, then the same lawyers are used to take advantage of it so that each team has the best fighting chance. End result is unsustainable 17 year $100 million contracts and teams losing money.

Contract the teams that the league owns. That's a start. Then negotiate from there.

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

Well Doan will finish his career as a Yote. Four years. Guess he looked around and for the options availble decided to just stay. :r

Wonder if there will even be a season

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

No sport can afford another lockout, but the NHL especially cannot. I've always been a big hockey fan, and I think the past few years have generated a little more interest in the sport. But this would be devastating to that momentum, and it seems the lockout is inevitable. The owners are planning to lock the players out tonight at midnight if a new CBA can't be agreed upon (and its not looking good)

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

"If the league (NHL) continues to insist on their (demands), then it will take a full year. That's because we are not going to cave in," Ovechkin said, according to the newspaper. "Then I will spend the entire season in the KHL. It's an absolute reality."


Monday saw no changes from either side, as talks between the league and the NHLPA remain unscheduled.

:hn :mad:

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

If it comes to hardball the owners will win. Many teams are losing money as is, so a lockout means NOT losing money. For the players, they would be making a lot of money. I'm sure after a while that'll catch up to them and put pressure on the union to make concessions.

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This is really not good. Why can't they figure it out? Blame falls equally on both parties in my eyes. It will be a big blow to the NHL and the players if this season is not going to happen.:fl:fl

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I agree both are to blame. I just figure the owners will win as they have other sources of income. Most of the players do not.

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Not sure of the financial status of the NHL, but it can't be good.

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Players took a 24% paycut in 2005, now the owners want an even bigger paycut now...though league revenues are at an all-time high?

What would you tell your boss if he told you he was wanting you to give him a 25% paycut even though his profits were up?

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Operating Income for the NHL as a whole has been on the decline since 08 or 09. Also, in the current CBA, salary is capped at 57% of revenue. Compare that too the NBA which is 50% or even the NFL which is 48. I think MLB is even less. Yeah, teams like the Maple Leafs are operating in massive profit, well massive for the NHL, but you also have big time losses sourcing from teams like the Lightening and Blue Jackets.. Of course, full disclosure to the NHL's financial position would be great. It's hard to understand why no one has agreed yet, but with such a tiny scope at the NHL and it's position, I'm more inclined to say both parties are dragging their feet and need to hash this out.. It's going to suck not having the Hawks/NHL to watch this year:sad

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I'll buy that the NHL's income is declining when they give their books full disclosure. If Columbus and Tampa are dragging down their bottom line, dump 'em. 4 divisions with 7 teams each. Perfect.

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

What was the issue in 2005 Tom?

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They should dump NJ and Dallas too! Both teams have massive amounts of debt.

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

This was the basic issue:

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

I think that all four majors would benefit from an elimination of some teams, the NHL primarily. Bettman has got to be one of the worst commissioners in any sport in history. Quite a legacy.

Re: NHL '12 - '13 Thread
 

an interesting statement...i find i cannot disagree with you.

derrek