Well atleast they’re talking; (TSN) (SN)
Possible real traction: (ST) (CSN)
Time is critical: (CBC)
Why the NHL needs its Lebron James (BS)
Hank is a standup guy: (TS)
The Hulls (SCH)
I was going to do another “Lockout Insurance” post this afternoon about the Bulls, and I will probably get to that later in the day. However, those posts require something of a sanguine feeling. With the news that the NHL-owned Coyotes have just ordered mass layoffs of their employees, and the impending sword of doom with a looser and looser hold over the Winter Classic’s head, I’m robbed of any of that.
Ok, so it ended up being only the layoff of the PR guy in Arizona, which in some ways seems even worse.
There is not going to be an NHL this winter. There might not even be one in the next winter either. And what that means for you and me, I can’t even begin to dream to know.
Those of you who read my Liverpool blog will know I’ve been big on the Metallica titles lately. I guess it reflects the anger I’m feeling and that I’m no longer trying to pretend it isn’t there. Anyway, a few things to get out today.
-First off, I will be joining the Hockee Night boys for their podcast . Killion will also be if he’s recovered sufficiently from this birthday, which is highly unlikely (welcome to your 30’s, old man). It’s at 8:30 but you can check it out later too. So do so.
-I don’t know how to gauge this any more. Maybe you’re all sick of reading lockout stuff or what I or any of us have to say about it, and that would be totally fair. Maybe reading the ramblings of someone even angrier than you is cathartic. Feel free to let me know in the comments, and I’ll take whatever action you guys want.
But today….
Those of you who read my Liverpool blog will know I’ve been big on the Metallica titles lately. I guess it reflects the anger I’m feeling and that I’m no longer trying to pretend it isn’t there. Anyway, a few things to get out today.
-First off, I will be joining the Hockee Night boys for their podcast . Killion will also be if he’s recovered sufficiently from this birthday, which is highly unlikely (welcome to your 30’s, old man). It’s at 8:30 but you can check it out later too. So do so.
-I don’t know how to gauge this any more. Maybe you’re all sick of reading lockout stuff or what I or any of us have to say about it, and that would be totally fair. Maybe reading the ramblings of someone even angrier than you is cathartic. Feel free to let me know in the comments, and I’ll take whatever action you guys want.
But today….
I know we’ve made our viewpoint pretty clear on tonight’s charity game at Rosemont, but I wanted to flesh it out a little. It’s hard to have my blood boiling out my nose at it fully, as at the end some money will go to a very good cause. And while I don’t doubt that’s party what’s at the heart of these players, I can’t escape the feeling that’s not totally what’s at play here.
Because if it were all about the cause, either A) These players would just be donating themselves to it, and probably wouldn’t need any media attention or B) This would have been a yearly event that could be promoted a lot better and for a lot longer than this one was to raise more money than it’s probably going to. Judging by what I’ve heard about ticket sales, it would have been pretty easy for all these guys to just go out of pocket for the same amount.
I know we’ve made our viewpoint pretty clear on tonight’s charity game at Rosemont, but I wanted to flesh it out a little. It’s hard to have my blood boiling out my nose at it fully, as at the end some money will go to a very good cause. And while I don’t doubt that’s party what’s at the heart of these players, I can’t escape the feeling that’s not totally what’s at play here.
Because if it were all about the cause, either A) These players would just be donating themselves to it, and probably wouldn’t need any media attention or B) This would have been a yearly event that could be promoted a lot better and for a lot longer than this one was to raise more money than it’s probably going to. Judging by what I’ve heard about ticket sales, it would have been pretty easy for all these guys to just go out of pocket for the same amount.
Ed. note: This appeared in yesterday’s Piggies Weekly.
Hockey fans, particularly those of the NHL, have endured a lot over the years. Franchise relocation more frequently than the other major sports, dismissive to flat out derisive treatment by the vast majority of the sporting public, and most notably three work stoppages in less than 20 years. It is those injustices, both perceived and real, that have steeled the resolve of fans across the continent and around the world, even heading into what was viewed by all as yet another unavoidable labor dispute. But for all that grizzled determination and resignation to the fate, few could have imagined the absolute fucking stupidity surrounding this latest impasse.
Last night was about as close as I’ve come to putting a hole in the wall in my apartment. Of course, like most of you I’ve been angry during this entire “negotiation” that’s really been a dick-measuring contest from the word go. And as well all know, a dick-measuring contest between old, white men not named “Milton” is just about the dumbest thing on Earth.
But the refusal to even meet, when this supposed deadline is…y’know, tomorrow cause some serious physical reaction. The NHL rejected the PA’s request to get together because the PA wouldn’t negotiate off of an offer they’ve already rejected. That’s just rich. If you’re negotiating off of an offer, that probably means it’s not entirely to your liking and you’d like things changed. It’s silly from the players’ side — though not nearly as much as the owners’ — who could have just said that they were going to go from that point, walked in the room and tried to talk to the things they want. Of course, the owners would probably walk out and call everyone liars to get you to feel sorry for them, and I would have set myself on fire.
