Announcement 2/16

[manny]

An announcement will be made on Wednesday to cancel the NHL season.

It will be a first for a North American pro league.

[JRoll]

An announcement will be made on Wednesday to cancel the NHL season.

It will be a first for a North American pro league.
Not so fast my friend.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1991361

[manny]

You did read it didn't you?


If a deal is not reached quickly, the NHL would become the first major professional league in North America to lose an entire season because of a labor dispute. The Stanley Cup has been awarded every year since 1919, when a flu epidemic canceled the finals.

[JRoll]

You did read it didn't you?
Yes...but in your first post you said the season is going to be cancelled. I posted the link to show that there is still a chance that it won't.

[manny]

NHL gets ready to call off season
But meetings continue for last-ditch deal

By TIM TUCKER (ttucker@<hidden>)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/14/05

NEW YORK — The National Hockey League began making plans Monday to cancel the remainder of the season.

The league held a conference call with its 30 teams' public relations and marketing officials about procedures in the event of cancellation, and it scheduled a 1 p.m. Wednesday news conference at the same Times Square hotel where Bettman announced the start of the lockout exactly five months ago today.

Bettman, who earlier said he would cancel the season if a new labor deal were not in place by the end of this past weekend, is expected to make good on that threat at Wednesday's news conference — unless there is a dramatic breakthrough in negotiations before then.

And as of Monday, the league and players' union apparently had not abandoned that remote possibility.

NHL executive vice president Bill Daly and Players' Association senior director Ted Saskin, the main negotiators for each side, were meeting into the night at an undisclosed location.

Unless the threat of imminent cancellation of the season causes a thaw in the two sides' polarized positions regarding a salary cap, the NHL will become the first major North American sports league to lose an entire season to a labor dispute and the Stanley Cup will go unclaimed for the first year since 1919, when a flu epidemic stopped the finals.

"My emotions go from strong frustration to huge disappointment" about the prospect of cancellation, Atlanta Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said Monday.

"Obviously, time is running out for us. There are concerns that time is going to expire and a deal is not going to get done. I'm disappointed for us as a team and for our fans."

The league did not tell its teams' owners and executives Monday that the season will be canceled, advising them only that plans need to be made. The owners previously gave Bettman sole authority to cancel the season.

The lockout already has claimed two-thirds of the regular-season schedule, but Bettman said last week that the league could play an abbreviated 28-game schedule and full playoffs if a deal were struck by the end of the weekend. No deal was reached, and by all accounts no progress was made.

Bettman said last week he "would owe it to our fans, business partners, all the people who work in and about the game, to make an official announcement" after it became too late to save a portion of the season. But he said then that the cancellation announcement should be considered almost a formality, "because I think everybody understands the timetable" of the weekend deadline.

NHL owners, claiming league-wide losses of $1.8 billion over the past decade and almost $500 million over the past two seasons, are seeking a new economic system that reduces the percentage of revenue spent on player salaries from last season's 75 percent to about 55 percent.

[manny]

Yes...but in your first post you said the season is going to be cancelled. I posted the link to show that there is still a chance that it won't.

chances are, it's over as no progress is expected

[JRoll]

Well since that article was published in the AJC, a salary cap has been accepted, they're just at odds on the ceiling for the salary cap, but I'm thinking that'll be worked out in the next 24 hours.

[manny]

I don't see the owners caving, do you think the players will?

[JRoll]

I don't see the owners caving, do you think the players will?
From what I heard, they're worried about there not being a season next year also, so they might.

[manny]

From what I heard, they're worried about there not being a season next year also, so they might.
it's funny how they didn't want a cap, yet they would go play for less money over in Europe during the lockout.


That said, I'm ready to see the Thrashers (without board at S-B.net) take the ice and make the playoffs.

[JRoll]

it's funny how they didn't want a cap, yet they would go play for less money over in Europe during the lockout.


That said, I'm ready to see the Thrashers (without board at S-B.net) take the ice and make the playoffs.
I'm ready to see the Flyers play again.

[Calm]

Even if they do come back, will anyone really take a 20-something game season seriously?

Don't get me wrong, I really miss hockey and wish that they would get something done. But c'mon.

[LeftClickHere]

The owners won't cave in, the players might. Or they might compromise. The players are said to be willing to take a $52 million soft salary cap with no linkage. The owners have reportedly said that they'll take a salary cap at $42.5 hard cap with no linkage. They have said that this is there final offer, no negoitiating. Who knows what'll happen, we'll find out tomorrow. Hopefully there is a season

[LeftClickHere]

Even if they do come back, will anyone really take a 20-something game season seriously?

Don't get me wrong, I really miss hockey and wish that they would get something done. But c'mon.


supposed to be a 28 game season. better than nothing IMO.

[shmuck]

I think a 28 season would be pretty exciting. The first few games would probably suck to watch as it would be like the preseason and everybody getting into shape, but after that, it'd be great.

Every game would count and it would a close race to the playoffs to keep the fans who are left interested.

[LeftClickHere]

I think a 28 season would be pretty exciting. The first few games would probably suck to watch as it would be like the preseason and everybody getting into shape, but after that, it'd be great.

Every game would count and it would a close race to the playoffs to keep the fans who are left interested.

IMO it does hurt a little only playing 28 games, but the main thing that I'd like about a short season is that in an 82 game season theres a lot of shitty hockey towards the end of the season. With a 28 game season they should be fresh for all 28 plus the playoffs.

[Roy Munson]

IMO it does hurt a little only playing 28 games, but the main thing that I'd like about a short season is that in an 82 game season theres a lot of shitty hockey towards the end of the season. With a 28 game season they should be fresh for all 28 plus the playoffs.
So you're saying they should do this every year...

[LeftClickHere]

They just said on TV right now that the NHLPA has submitted a counter proposal within the last 20 minutes to the NHL. It was an offer for a cap set at app. $ 49 million. Of course who knows what this will since the NHLs offer of a $42.5 mill cap was non negoitable.

[LeftClickHere]

So you're saying they should do this every year...

lol, No definitely not. Its just that they'll be a lot fresher than playing a 82 game season and they won't get sluggish. For other seasons though it wouldn't hurt to shorten a season to about 60 games, but that won't ever happen IMO.

[shmuck]

Didnt they already cut down the length of the season or were atleast thinking about it? Something down to like 72 games or something?

They should just go with something like a 50-60 game schedule and have it end a lot earlier, that way they wouldnt be playing hockey into freaking june.

[shmuck]

Well here we go, that new 49 million cap offer the union just offered just got rejected by bettman.

Tomorrow will be a helluva morning. I'm thinking there wont be any hockey this year though unless the players take the offer, bettman should have just went with a 45-46 million cap and be done with it.

[1957 & Waiting]

Bettman is such an ass clown it's not even funny. He says "what if" every team spent 49 million dollar in his letter back to Goodenow. Heck 16 teams had a payroll of less than 40 million dollars last year. And that didn't include the 24% salary rollback. Now dont get me wrong, Goodenow is a tool himself. Find the number everyone can live with which is 44 to 46 million dollars and there will be a season.

Again Bettman and Goodenows ego's are getting in the way.

[Wizard of Westbrook]

This whole thing is beyond sickening just get your damn 45-46 million dollar cap and make us happy. Damn!

[manny]

the 11:00 deadline has passed, haven't heard anything yet

[manny]

the 11:00 deadline has passed, haven't heard anything yet

and as you may know the press conference is scheduled for 1:00

[BambinoBear]

If the NHL players would realise there sport is not very popular in the US, therefore the amount of revenue is less, maybe they could work soemthing out. the bottom line is the less money you make, the less you have to spend and the owners realise this and should not give in.

[Roy Munson]

If the NHL players would realise there sport is not very popular in the US, therefore the amount of revenue is less, maybe they could work soemthing out. the bottom line is the less money you make, the less you have to spend and the owners realise this and should not give in.
Yeah, the owners aren't doing this for our benefit...they're in it to make money...as they should be.

[manny]

latest league offer is 45 million

[JRoll]

latest league offer is 45 million
I think that might do it.

[Roy Munson]

latest league offer is 45 million
Latest Owner's offer 42.5...

[manny]

Latest Owner's offer 42.5...
the 45 million was the owner's offer

[JRoll]

the 45 million was the owner's offer
You think the players will accept it?

[Sxy Mofo]

An announcement will be made on Wednesday to cancel the NHL season.

It will be a first for a North American pro league.


...and the country yawns.

[Roy Munson]

the 45 million was the owner's offer
latest player offer, 70...they're award winning negociators...

[manny]

You think the players will accept it?

they better accept it

[manny]

latest player offer, 70...they're award winning negociators...Boras must represent the players

[manny]

...and the country yawns.
not all of the country

[manny]

put a hold on that, there are conflicting reports out of Canada, one states the owners have moved their proposal to 45 million, the other that GB has sent out a memo to cancel the season.


oh boy,

[manny]

T minus 6 minutes

[manny]

T minus 6 minutes
T minus 2 minutes

[manny]

T minus 0

here we go any minute

[manny]

Betteman at the podium

[BambinoBear]

T minus 0

here we go any minute
I predict ................... THE SEASON IS OFF!

[JRoll]

Betteman at the podium
He's a joke.

[BambinoBear]

Betteman at the podium
keep us informed manny. i'm at work.

[pwr]

hey Gary Bettman,

KISS MY ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[manny]

The season has been cancelled.

[BambinoBear]

The season has been cancelled.
Not a shock to me.

[manny]

he regrets to inform us that he has no choice but to announce the cancellation of the rest of the season

It is about the future

[JRoll]

he regrets to inform us that he has no choice but to announce the cancellation of the rest of the season

It is about the future
No...it's about the money.

[manny]

hey Gary, if only I had the emoticon over here to express my thoughts on this matter.

[BambinoBear]

No...it's about the money.
and the bitches that are the NHLPA.

[manny]

the floor is open for questions now

[manny]

all efforts in the last 5 months? dude you have known for YEARS that it would come down to this.

[JRoll]

and the bitches that are the NHLPA.
The players want to play...Goodenow is the bitch. Him and Bettman should be tied together and thrown off a cliff.

[manny]

the two sides weren't as close as have been speculated, cost certainty was big

[BambinoBear]

The players want to play...Goodenow is the bitch. Him and Bettman should be tied together and thrown off a cliff.
Yea they want to play and be over paid! can't have both.

BTW all sports athletes are overpaid!

[manny]

The players want to play...Goodenow is the bitch. Him and Bettman should be tied together and thrown off a cliff.

both sides are to blame, the Players hired him to represent them.

[manny]

Yea they want to play and be over paid! can't have both.

BTW all sports athletes are overpaid!got that right

[BambinoBear]

On the E*PN site they have a tombstone with the NHL RIP 2004-2005. Funny stuff.

[manny]

this press conference is depressing

[manny]

he's comparing the NHL to the NFL's cap and saying that their revenue is 2 to 2.5 times that of the NHL.

[BambinoBear]

this press conference is depressing
Sorry Manny. I'm not so broken up about it. I don't watch hockey until the playoffs, so that is when I guess I will miss it.

[manny]

Sorry Manny. I'm not so broken up about it. I don't watch hockey until the playoffs, so that is when I guess I will miss it.
I'm just starting to watch hockey in the last 5 years with the Thrashers so this hits hard for me.

[BambinoBear]

he's comparing the NHL to the NFL's cap and saying that their revenue is 2 to 2.5 times that of the NHL.
I think it has to be higher. The nfl sells out almost every game, plus they only play once a week.

[manny]

I think it has to be higher. The nfl sells out almost every game, plus they only play once a week.
and they have a TV contract

[BambinoBear]

I'm just starting to watch hockey in the last 5 years with the Thrashers so this hits hard for me.
I follow the flyers a little. But overall, I just like playoff hockey. Fun to watch.

[BambinoBear]

and they have a TV contractLike 4 of them! CBS, FOX,ABC,ESPN and there own network.

[manny]

every other phrase out of his mouth is "to try to save the season"

the owners are now back to demanding linkage to revenues again.

[manny]

they are "planning" to have a season next season but they are expecting the players to begin negotiating for that soon.

[manny]

they've decided to no longer cover the BS conference so I'm out of updates.

[FreezeC2]

God both sides are retarded.

[manny]

God both sides are retarded.
no argument here

[1957 & Waiting]

The NHL is a joke with Bettman running it. Same with the NHLPA with Goodenow in charge.

This tells you how much Bettman knows about the game. He said in his press conference he doesn't see a problem with the way the game is playeed. What a fucking joke, hey asshole the rating are down for a reason. Your product sucks!!!!

[trinity4u]

*sigh*

No Hockey!
No Bruins!
NO Fights!!!



no fair.......

[BambinoBear]

The NHL is a joke with Bettman running it. Same with the NHLPA with Goodenow in charge.

This tells you how much Bettman knows about the game. He said in his press conference he doesn't see a problem with the way the game is playeed. What a fucking joke, hey asshole the rating are down for a reason. Your product sucks!!!!
your sig says it all.

[1957 & Waiting]

Rumors are the NHLPA is pushing back their press conference because Goodenow is getting flooded with call from upset players.

[manny]

Goodenow is now shoveling out his BS as well.

[manny]

the players never asked for more money?

are you kidding me Goodenow?