PHT brings you each sides reaction to the latest game of Hardball: Fehr Bettman
A fan crashes the pressers and plays The Devil’s Advocate: PD
Lebrun thinks the offer is a solid step and that Something’s Gotta Give: ESPN
Roman Hamrlik spoke out and Erik Cole Freaked: TSN
Another outlet reporting Pirri may be the most ready of the Hawks Youngblood: CSN
Considering the Thing 1 and Thing 2’s age this may be Much Ado About Nothing: PHT
The Yotes staying in Glendale is picking up Speed: Sporting News
Well, if you were hoping that the NHL and PA would provide a bounce to your holiday weekend, you can forget it.
While the initial buzz about only being $182 million apart after this latest offer made it seem like things could change, it was what was burning under that smoke that should have led us all to believe this wasn’t going anywhere.
Because the PA still is getting to 50-50 far too slowly, no matter how they dress it up. Asking the owners to bare all the risk for down-turning revenues after his mess is a non-starter. These two things may be totally fair when viewed through logic, but fair and logic were never part of this negotiation and are never going to be. The PA would do well to finally recognize that, no matter how well they’re organized or transparent this time.
No contract limits? We went over this yesterday. If you’re brethren in the NBA have ’em, and they’re by far the more popular league with far more marketable stars, then you better get on the train that you’re going to have contract limits. Again, it’s almost certainly not fair. But fair and reality are often not drinking buddies.
Quite simply, the union has to decide which one it really wants to hold onto. Does it want to fight over the revenue structure or contracting rights? Because now they’re doing both, and that’s just not going to fly.
On the other side, it’s dispiriting and disrespectful to everyone who has any interest in the game for the owners to not even begin to try and talk off this proposal. Yes, we’re quite aware that they’re beyond pissed the Fehr wouldn’t negotiate off theirs, even though they gave him no reason to do so. It’s clear it’s about winning, not getting a deal. But this is going to be a pyrric victory, and there has to be some moderates on that side who recognize that. But they’ve been marginalized.
There’s a deal here. People with a clue could find it. But not when everyone hasn’t got the necessary plate of glass over the belly-button so they can see while having their head up their ass. And that’s the end of it.
It may take a Miracle: (TSN)
They must be prepared for a Backdraft:(CBC)
Somebody better make an Executive Decision: (Globe and Mail)
Hawks brass are good Winter People: (Comcast Sportsnet)
A new date for many Tequila Sunrises(Puck Daddy)
Before I get to the meat of the post, an apology on the spam taking over our forums. We’ve addressed it, we think we’ve taken the steps to prevent it from happening again. Stick with us, we’ll get it right.
Ok, usually we like to run pictures with every post. Looks nice and all. But I just couldn’t bring myself to look at Gary Bettman right now. It’s been mentioned a little last night and some today, but the Commish’s appearance at the Hall of Fame Ceremony was nothing short of sickening.
I know, it would have looked awkward for the commissioner to not be at his league’s Hall induction. But that absence would have been washed over by the occasion. No one would worry about Gary being absent while Joe Sakic or Adam Oates or Mats Sundin were giving their speeches. It would have passed seamlessly.
But Gary couldn’t have that.
For the record he belongs (Hockey-Reference)
Prospects continue to impress: (CSN)
Lockout looms large: (Toronto Star)
How Joe Sakic rose above to become one of the greatest:(Vancouver Province)
The rest of the group aren’t slouches:(Globe and Mail)
Three issues (TSN)
Don’t get greedy Gary (Sportsnet)
The Class of 2012: NHL
and the men who may join them someday: SI
PHT reports its not just how much, its how: Fehr Daly
Donald is running the show: PD
Because they didn’t have enough to talk about: TSN
A good look at a Hawks prospect and his big goal: BTN
Can someone tell me why the Admirals have a Brewers logo above their own?: Icehogs
No joke, this is the most recent post on the ESPN’s Blackhawks blog: ESPNChi
Well, that was all a big mess, wasn’t it?
As you’ve probably followed on Twitter, the NHL and PA ended a week of negotiations by going back to posturing and attacking each other. I don’t remember if straight-out lies were a part of it, but they kind of are now. I’ll do my best to try and wade through all the shit both sides have just thrown us into and see just what the hell is going on.
It started when the NHL (I think) leaked their perplexion (is that a word? It is now) at the fact that in that NHLPA memo that leaked this morning (enough leaks here to be quite the golden shower, no?) there was no mention of their make-whole proposal. That proposal called for all the salary lost in the drop from 57% to 50% to be re-paid in payments in the second year and third year.
Jesus Christo or What the hell is that!! (Puck Daddy)
Hammer to Italy..Maybe (CSN Chicago)
Much work to be done: (TSN)
Not much more comment: (CBC)
No vitriol rhetoric:(Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Talks will continue today: (Globe and Mail)
Keith Primeau wrote a book that will probably piss off dumb people (Montreal Gazette)
How much revenue sharing should the NHL have ? (Globe and Mail)
Also buy this shirt its pretty awesome (Teespring)
With the election tomorrow, I didn’t want to get into any political debate that could enrage the whole thing, but I did want to have some fun. But I will encourage you all to vote tomorrow, it is rather important even though it’s hard to feel that way sometimes. Especially here in Chicago, where they’ve already counted your vote however they want to.
But I’ve gotten a lot of grief lately for apparently being “pro-owner” instead of “angry-at-everyone.” You’ve probably seen this internet meme “Things Republicans Believe.” So here’s what NHL owners believe:
