I guess I'm in the minority about his comments because I see nothing wrong with him voicing his frustrations with the lockout. Was anything he said factually wrong or crossed some imaginary line of etiquette? I think if the NHL's biggest name stayed silent on the matter it'd be more surprising then him supporting his fellow players position and frustration with where this at. The kid can't win no matter what he does.
He can't keep quiet, he's a high profile, indeed the highest profile member of the union. There's no choosing sides here, he must stand steadfast with his players and using his profile to put a public face on this is what is expected of him. Silence or fence sitting is not an option.
Labor disputes are inherently nasty. If you're going to lose respect (and I don't believe anyone for a second when they say stuff like that) for people over what they have to say and do in the midst of a work stoppage, then go find a cave, cover your eyes and stick your fingers in your ears for the next two months.
Sid carries a tad more weight cuz he actually makes all owners money or lose less money. He puts butts in seats, sells merchandise and has helped the league reach record revenues.
He's obviously a tad biased being on the PA side but i don't mind him speaking out at all.
I'm not going to bash Crosby here, he's entitled to his opinion, although I disagree with it. What I don't get is how he can say the owners are not trying to get a deal done, only the NHLPA. I have no idea how he comes to this conclusion. All the NHLPA has been doing for one year no is stalling, how he doesn't see that, I have no idea. Fehr shows up like 90 mintues late for the last two meetings and it seems like the NHLPA is the only side that shows urgency?
I'm not going to bash Crosby here, he's entitled to his opinion, although I disagree with it. What I don't get is how he can say the owners are not trying to get a deal done, only the NHLPA. I have no idea how he comes to this conclusion. All the NHLPA has been doing for one year no is stalling, how he doesn't see that, I have no idea. Fehr shows up like 90 mintues late for the last two meetings and it seems like the NHLPA is the only side that shows urgency?
He doesn't see it because he is just speaking the NHLPA talking points. He may or may not be telling the media his real opinions on the matter. He can't come out and say "our side has been stalling and failing to really negotiate". So he is just spewing out similar things to what Fehr has been saying.
Everyone is entitled an opinion, but with Sid and a lot of his income now and in the future is based on marketing it isnt the smartest move in the world to put himself out there like that. Much like I don't want to know what political candidates he supports or anything along those lines, more is lost from stating those views than is gained.
Also, it just looks like he and the others are biting the hand that feeds them. He's a multi millionaire set for life who isnt even in his 30's yet. When people like that open their mouth nickel and diming us fans it can get people a bit ticked off.
Everyone is entitled an opinion, but with Sid and a lot of his income now and in the future is based on marketing it isnt the smartest move in the world to put himself out there like that. Much like I don't want to know what political candidates he supports or anything along those lines, more is lost from stating those views than is gained.
Also, it just looks like he and the others are biting the hand that feeds them. He's a multi millionaire set for life who isnt even in his 30's yet. When people like that open their mouth nickel and diming us fans it can get people a bit ticked off.
I'm not really sure what you are talking about. Do you really believe by him saying things like "the league isn't interested in negotiating" that down the line Reebok and other sponsors will drop him (assuming that's what you meant by marketing)? Conversely, if you mean by marketing the league, fans aren't going to stop watching or buying merchandise because of one or 2 minor jabs Crosby threw at the league during a labor dispute. Basically, anything he says now is irrelevant to his future earnings.
And finally, it's not like he said anything absurd. He just said he's really frustrated and he doesn't think the league is trying to negotiate. I happen to disagree with him, but I don't expect him to call out his union.
He doesn't see it because he is just speaking the NHLPA talking points. He may or may not be telling the media his real opinions on the matter. He can't come out and say "our side has been stalling and failing to really negotiate". So he is just spewing out similar things to what Fehr has been saying.
If this was the case, I'm sure he'd rather not say anything.
Gord Miller @GMillerTSN
@DarrenDreger I spoke with an NHL exec who thinks that this dispute will wipe out this season, and continue into the start of next season.
__________________ "I don't know what the stronger emotion would be, the joy of winning or the pain of losing"-Sidney Crosby.
If this was the case, I'm sure he'd rather not say anything.
Yeah and that would be my preference but I'm sure he feels like he has defend the players to some extent. Maybe you're right. In either case, I don't think what he said is overly provocative or outlandish.
I'm not really sure what you are talking about. Do you really believe by him saying things like "the league isn't interested in negotiating" that down the line Reebok and other sponsors will drop him (assuming that's what you meant by marketing)? Conversely, if you mean by marketing the league, fans aren't going to stop watching or buying merchandise because of one or 2 minor jabs Crosby threw at the league during a labor dispute. Basically, anything he says now is irrelevant to his future earnings.
And finally, it's not like he said anything absurd. He just said he's really frustrated and he doesn't think the league is trying to negotiate. I happen to disagree with him, but I don't expect him to call out his union.
You're taking what I said and then pushing it to the extreme, it isnt an all or nothing sort of scenario. I didnt say Crosby should call out his union, actually I basically said the opposite, I said he should remain as neutral as possible and not take any sort of position because it is a lose/lose scenario no matter what. I also didnt say that Reebok was going to dump him for this... thats hyperbole. I mentioned that this can only work to hurt his marketability and not help it so he's messing with the golden goose. I really don't know why this even needed to be explained more as I felt it was thoroughly implied in my previous post.
You're taking what I said and then pushing it to the extreme, it isnt an all or nothing sort of scenario. I didnt say Crosby should call out his union, actually I basically said the opposite, I said he should remain as neutral as possible and not take any sort of position because it is a lose/lose scenario no matter what. I also didnt say that Reebok was going to dump him for this... thats hyperbole. I mentioned that this can only work to hurt his marketability and not help it so he's messing with the golden goose. I really don't know why this even needed to be explained more as I felt it was thoroughly implied in my previous post.
I simply don't agree. It won't hurt him in any way other than a few fans' opinions of him. Many fans around the league already hate him because he's the best. It comes with the territory. His comments are a non issue IMO and that's all I was trying to say.
Gord Miller @GMillerTSN
@DarrenDreger I spoke with an NHL exec who thinks that this dispute will wipe out this season, and continue into the start of next season.
LOL!!! yeah right it will continue into next season. This season? probably. Next season? 0% chance.
Everyone said there was "zero chance" that they'd be dumb enough to go through this whole dog and pony show so soon after the last one. Yet... here we are.
Ridiculous. 
