Makes me sick seeing guys like him and Lupul denounce the owners every chance they get then as soon as the guy who signs their cheques becomes publicly involved it's time to kiss ass.
The players were accepting all the crazy contract offers last summer, without a peep about idiots or cancers or anything. Nothing about for the good of the game, I'll decline that large amount of money. Nothing about ruining the game. Nothing about big or small markets. Nothing even about the cap, except to increase it.
The players will go after Bettman, but not the owners. They'll go after other owners, but their own. They'll take a stand on principle when the money isn't being offered, but when the money is offered, principle doesn't really exist.
What I do believe is that someone in a high place did tell burton something...the questions are
If it is true.. Who told him?
If its not... Who told him and why?
There's only two reasons for the latter:
A) It was a PR leak designed to put pressure on one side (presumably the players), conveniently not leaked to one of the big hockey guys so there's plausibie deniability in case things blow up.
B) It was an intentional leak by someone (presumably Jacobs) who wants to somehow undermine the deal by making negotiations public before it's officially done.
I'll be surprised if meetings go extensively today. Even if it goes well, I question if 6 owners and 18 players are designed to make this thing do anything but gain some traction.
Could also mean this guy punches out at 4:30 and wants to get this done before he goes home.
This. Probably finishes at 5 and let's face it, no-one knows how long the meeting will be. Best to have it all set-up in the eventuality that there may be a presser.
I can't remember them being particularly outspoken.
Lupul was doing a series on AskMen about the whole thing and Liles tweeted something in September about how Bettman and company had no athletic skill and had no business being part of it blah blah blah.
This. Probably finishes at 5 and let's face it, no-one knows how long the meeting will be. Best to have it all set-up in the eventuality that there may be a presser.
Wow, talking about grasping at the straws. From what I've read in this thread I'd think you hated Hockey.
Whenever this crap ends we deserve a lot better than a "thank you fans" on the ice. I'm talking a goodie basket filled with chocolates, champagne and cavier.
What the NHL deserves is the Stone Cold Salute. Flip BOTH the middle fingers off. Hold position for as long as your arms can hold out.
Makes me sick seeing guys like him and Lupul denounce the owners every chance they get then as soon as the guy who signs their cheques becomes publicly involved it's time to kiss ass.
You got it wrong. They denounce Bettman every chance they get...just like all the other players - none of them have come about and spoke against the guy that signs their paycheque. Players have fun singling out Jacobs, how many of those players are from the Bruins? None of these guys are going to directly bite the hand that feeds them. Instead, they bite the hand that the owners have paid to have bitten. In defense of Lupul and Liles, their boss hasn't said a peep about anything and isn't rumored to be an owner holding up the process but at the same token, they don't really know where he stands and after today they may get their answer and may not like it - though they probably still won't call him out.
You got it wrong. They denounce Bettman every chance they get...just like all the other players - none of them have come about and spoke against the guy that signs their paycheque. Players have fun singling out Jacobs, how many of those players are from the Bruins? None of these guys are going to directly bite the hand that feeds them. Instead, they bite the hand that the owners have paid to have bitten. In defense of Lupul and Liles, their boss hasn't said a peep about anything and isn't rumored to be an owner holding up the process but at the same token, they don't really know where he stands and after today they may get their answer and may not like it - though they probably still won't call him out.
You're probably right, but IMO going after Bettman is no different than going after the owners (maybe not individually but as a collective). He's there to do their bidding and is a direct extension of the very same people who sign his checks.
I know not every owner is directly in tune with what Bettman brings to the table in negotations, but there is a reason they pay him to do what they won't do.
I sincerely hope the haters find themselves unable to watch these emotional, stupid and illogical players... and take up intellectual pursuits more worthy of their time.
Aren't you the only person who has called a player a snivelling rat?
