Doubt it was him specifically as the WFP is a reputable paper that identified the source as a BOG member (Bettman is not a governor). I have no doubt this is part of the NHL's strategy and Bettman knew about but its not Bettman himself.
More last-second posturing to squeeze the other side. The players came out with their "Do what we say, or we'll decertify!" Now, the owners respond with their "Do what we say, or we'll cancel the season!" It's all leading to the inevitable compromise once we get to Monday or so and neither side caves.
That being said, if we do lose the season over what's left on the table, then both sides deserve what they'll get.
Has it ever come up even once where exactly these replacement players would be coming from?
Junior players? So the entire NHL season would be like watching the World Juniors or the same experience I had when I went to a 67's game at SBP this season?
AHL players? Even than.....not feeling it.
Really just not a good idea, good in theory but wouldn't look good if things actually went that route
When you ask someone, they always say "AHL and juniors."
This, however, ignores that the vast majority of AHL players, including every single one who is remotely worth a damn, are NHLPA members and are, thus, locked out of NHL hockey.
And it also ignores that any junior player who has a legit chance of making the NHL is an aspiring PA member and isn't about to cross a picket line and have to live with the treatment by his coworkers that comes with being a scab for the entirety of his career.
The only players likely to sign on as replacements are
a) PA and non-PA guys in inferior leagues who know they'll never get an honest shot at an NHL paycheck because they aren't good enough and have no compunction about their name being mud
b) PA guys who are broke
c) PA guys who know their time as NHLers has passed
d) non-PA guys who had their jobs stolen by NHL players abroad because they were the worst player on a team in a 2nd to 5th rate league
And "D" is the only group I'd categorize as "likely."
In any event, the depth you'd need to reach to find 750 such guys, would result in an on-ice product that's not at all credible.
Imminent? Cancel the season on Thursday if a deal isn't imminent? So if a deal is imminent past the deadline, then season isn't cancelled? Is there still a hard cancellation deadline?
Interesting read. I guess Fehr and the PA will probably read that and still think the NHL is bluffing.
Donald Fehr is like a little boy.
You give a kid, lets call him Johnny, the new NHL game. Then, after a year or so Johnny wants the newer NHL game and you get it for him. Then, the year after that you get the game AGAIN for Johnny. Then, the year after that he asks for the game again.
There comes a time where you have too say "**** that, get a job and buy it yourself."
Donald Fehr is a child and I do believe he thinks the NHL is bluffing. He is a child and I ****ing hate him.
Imminent? Cancel the season on Thursday if a deal isn't imminent? So if a deal is imminent past the deadline, then season isn't cancelled? Is there still a hard cancellation deadline?
Basically we know we have a deal or not by thursday
we will not have less than 48 games.
IMO all signs point to a deal so im not too worried.
Nobody seems to be making a big deal about this but to me it seems like the final nail in the coffin for the season. Im sure letang didnt just decide to go to russia today without talking to the union. Even if Letang thought there was a 50/50 chance for a deal im sure he would wait it out another week.
Nobody seems to be making a big deal about this but to me it seems like the final nail in the coffin for the season. Im sure letang didnt just decide to go to russia today without talking to the union. Even if Letang thought there was a 50/50 chance for a deal im sure he would wait it out another week.
For every letang, there 5 other guys coming back. He could be getting in games before the season to prep himself.
You give a kid, lets call him Johnny, the new NHL game. Then, after a year or so Johnny wants the newer NHL game and you get it for him. Then, the year after that you get the game AGAIN for Johnny. Then, the year after that he asks for the game again.
There comes a time where you have too say "**** that, get a job and buy it yourself."
Donald Fehr is a child and I do believe he thinks the NHL is bluffing. He is a child and I ****ing hate him.
Sorry for the harsh language mods.
Don Fehr is an accomplished man who doesn't flip out in the most stressful situations, let alone on an internet discussion board.
Don Fehr is an accomplished man who doesn't flip out in the most stressful situations, let alone on an internet discussion board.
Well me being irrelevant to this entire process, in my eyes, gives me some sort of right too haha. I mean, I can voice my opinion, but it wouldn't matter too these guys. They're going to get the best deal possible for their respective sides. I just don't like the guy negotiates is all.
Nobody seems to be making a big deal about this but to me it seems like the final nail in the coffin for the season. Im sure letang didnt just decide to go to russia today without talking to the union. Even if Letang thought there was a 50/50 chance for a deal im sure he would wait it out another week.
Letang being in Russia 'soon' could mean next Friday though.
Nobody seems to be making a big deal about this but to me it seems like the final nail in the coffin for the season. Im sure letang didnt just decide to go to russia today without talking to the union. Even if Letang thought there was a 50/50 chance for a deal im sure he would wait it out another week.
If we start seeing more guys going over there than coming back then we know we are in big trouble. Hopefully this Letang thing is an aberration.
