[True Blue]

Originally Posted by Fire Sather

I'm sure the north american players' families will want to relocate around the world.

And I am sure that the Russian players and the other Euro players will be more than comfortable playing in their homelands. So now, you have diluted the NHL.

For most players, this is the only league they can earn these wages in.

Sure, but most did not really mind playing in other countries.

For most owners, they have other ventures to make their money in.

The most ludicrous argument of all. Where do you have the information to back this up? And even if true that they have other ventures, when a, and let's pick a nice middle number here, $200 million dollar investment does not make back a red cent, it HURTS. Plus, there are expenses that continue, even if there is no season. The owners WILL loose money. It is impossible not to. And then again, you are completely ignoring what this means to the futures of certain franchises.

So again, we'll see who caves first.

That is not what it is about. The point is, are the owners willing to cut off their nose to spite their face? Make no mistake, there is a reason as to why Fehr has been brought in. The players are prepared to loose a season this time. But, this is not 2004. There are more than enough owners that are NOT prepared to loose a season. And if they do, then NHL takes a permanent him. Will the sponsors of the Winter Classic come back? Good bet that the 24/7 is gone for good. And those have been one of the only home runs that Bettman's NHL has made.

And again, do not underestimate Fehr. Once the season is canceled, he will be in no hurry to start the next one. And the players will not suddenly oust him like they did Goodenow. This time out, the players are drinking the kool aid. But not all the owners are drinking Bettman's.