NHL Lockout About to Become Reality

[underpants]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=755&e=1&u=/ap/20040915/ap_on_sp_ho_ne/hkn_looming_lockout

TORONTO - An NHL lockout is a virtual certainty when the collective bargaining agreement between owners and players expires at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. With no talks scheduled, the lockout is expected once the NHL board of governors conclude a Wednesday meeting in New York.

"We're supposed to be partners," said Mario Lemieux, the player-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins (news). "It's not a question of going to war or winning a battle, it's just a question of what makes sense for the business and what makes sense for the players."

Training camps won't open this week and NHL games — slated to begin on Oct. 13 — will soon be canceled, too.

"Tomorrow is D-Day and it's going to be probably the last time we get on the ice for a bit," Redden said on Tuesday.

[GOPisEvil]

1. And America yawns...

Sadly, I don't think most of the US gives a rat's ass. Most people won't miss it.

[SidDithers]

2. Booo, Hisss....

This could be a long lockout. Both the owners and the players have accumulated big strike funds, and both have dug in their heels on major issues. I'm hearing lots of bad predictions on this - everything from the players being out a year, 18 months, 2 years, to the owners starting a new league in January.

At least we've got lots of Junior hockey around here.

Sid

[AG78]

3. Good

I love hockey. But I'm sick of both sides.

The world is falling apart, and these two sides fight over millions of dollars.

I know it's a skill, but it's also just a game. Even the worst players get paid 6 figure salaries.

There are too many serious problems going on to care about this one. If these guys want to play their little CBA game, go for it. Fight it out as long as you want.

I'm always on the side of labor. But even if there was a cap of say $32 million, the average player salary on a team would still be over $1 million.

Not that the owners aren't to blame. Some spend money they don't have. Some spend stupid money they do or do not have.

Then the league as a whole A) expanded far too much, and B) expanded far too much into non-hockey markets.

It's just sad. But hey, money never made anyone smarter.

[chiburb]

4. In Chicago, you won't be able to tell...n/t

[SidDithers]

5. In Toronto...

husbands and wives are going to have to actally talk to each other on Saturday nights. Maybe we'll see a Canadian baby boom in 9 months.

Sid

[derby378]

6. This is so stupid

Both managers and players owe it to the fans to stop pissing all over the sport. We're the ones who ultimately pay their salaries - we buy the overpriced tickets, we wade through security checkpoints, we scarf down the concession stand goodies, we buy the jerseys, pucks, T-shirts, noisemakers, etc. And for what? For those involved in the sport to turn their back on us?

[tom_paine]

7. Luckily, the trap killed my love of hockey a few years ago

If I wanted to watch soccer, I'd...well I don't want to watch soccer.

[Skeet]

8. Lock 'em in a room!

Gary Bettman & whomever the NHLPA rep is need to be locked in a room with just hot dogs and water until they iron out a deal that gives me a hockey season!