1957 & Waiting
01-28-2005, 11:04 AM
Thats it folks, it's over. The NHL and NHLPA are acting like a bunch of children and i see no way a deal can be saved for this season. I thought after time both sides would find some common ground to save the season. But it looks like thats not happening. The best CBA for the NHL is one that neither side likes, because it wouldn't be everything they were asking for. There has been very little compromise since september and it seems like they have draw a line in the sand. When Brian Burke comes on the radio Vancouver and says Bettman needs to back off his hard cap stance it tells me the owners are not listening to respected hockey businessmen. When players come out in the press and say they would accept some kind a of cap system the higher ups of the NHLPA are not listening either.
The sad thing is when or if the NHL comes back, the fans might not welcome them back. So this huge piece of pie they've been figthing for will be even smaller, and both side will earn less money than they would if they settled today. I heard Art Regner here in Detroit say one of the super star players went to the union and told them it's in their best interest to make a deal now, because a bad deal now will be a hell of alot better than any deal they would get if the season is cancelled. Is the NHLPA listening to him? I guess not.
Also dont expect the NHL to call an impasse and try and use replacement players. 1st thing is there is a chance they would lose their case and have to reopen the doors under the old CBA and could be forced to pay back the players the money they lost during the lockout. The other thing is if the NLRB rules in favor of the owners and the players were orders back to work they would strike. When brings up replacement players, but there is a catch. Under labor laws a Canadian citizen can not be a replacement worker in Canada and vise versa. So only American players could play for american teams and Canadian players could only play for Canadian teams. And in BC and Quebec replacement works is illegal.
All in all there will be no NHL hockey until these two sides pull their collective heads out thier asses and get a deal
The sad thing is when or if the NHL comes back, the fans might not welcome them back. So this huge piece of pie they've been figthing for will be even smaller, and both side will earn less money than they would if they settled today. I heard Art Regner here in Detroit say one of the super star players went to the union and told them it's in their best interest to make a deal now, because a bad deal now will be a hell of alot better than any deal they would get if the season is cancelled. Is the NHLPA listening to him? I guess not.
Also dont expect the NHL to call an impasse and try and use replacement players. 1st thing is there is a chance they would lose their case and have to reopen the doors under the old CBA and could be forced to pay back the players the money they lost during the lockout. The other thing is if the NLRB rules in favor of the owners and the players were orders back to work they would strike. When brings up replacement players, but there is a catch. Under labor laws a Canadian citizen can not be a replacement worker in Canada and vise versa. So only American players could play for american teams and Canadian players could only play for Canadian teams. And in BC and Quebec replacement works is illegal.
All in all there will be no NHL hockey until these two sides pull their collective heads out thier asses and get a deal