12/21/24
October 29, 2004
Are the players starting to cave?: A few stories have started to pop up in the last couple days that seem to indicated that the lower tier players have had enough. With the NHLPA meeting coming up in a few days are these players just tring to get their message out, since it's unlikely any of them will be at the meetings? Or are we starting to see the beginning of the end for the players?
I think there are about 1100 players. 900 or so make less than the average annual salary of $1.8 million. I bet if they put a salary cap to a vote that it would receive a majority vote. I'll agree with the Dr. in that I'm sick of the updates when nothing is happening. Judging by the number of responces to this thread.... so is everyone else.
posted by camcanuck at 04:16 PM on October 29, 2004
it's good to see the younger players, i.e. the lower paid players, making their voice heard. afterall its not the UFAPA. In other news, polls indicate Gary Bettman has the greatest resemblance to a piece of feces.
posted by garfield at 04:25 PM on October 29, 2004
Speaking for myself, I'll admit to going out of my way to not pay attention. I followed the baseball labor troubles in '94 so closely I grew to hate the people behind the game. Now here, with a sport much closer to my heart, I don't want to make the same mistake. I'll be happy when they start talking again, but this behind-the-scenes stuff is where I draw the line. Wake me when someone actually makes a phone call. Until then, I'm trying to not hate the league and the dicks on both sides who are keeping it dark.
posted by chicobangs at 08:12 PM on October 29, 2004
Brian Pothier: "I'm in Binghamton playing because I need to pay the bills" Other snippet from article linked above: "Pothier played 55 games with the Senators last year, putting up eight points and a plus-6 rating. He's scheduled to earn $650,000 this year. " I could live more than 20 years on that money. What kind of bills does he have to pay? Everyone here is right to say that it's best not to pay too much attention to these antinegociations. I always have a pro-union bias in work conflicts, but everyone in this mess needs a serious reality check.
posted by qbert72 at 10:27 AM on October 30, 2004
There is no hockey lockout. The season is progressing normally and, if anything, the games are more exciting than normal. *waves hand* STUPID JEDI MIND TRICKS...WORK BETTER!
posted by filmgoerjuan at 03:21 PM on October 30, 2004
Behind the stony assholes of Goodenow and Bettman, I think both sides have definite elements of inconsistency. Sure, you have players like these, but you also have team owners who were willing to sign their players to hefty contracts over this summer. The majority are toeing the party line, but it's obvious that the people behind the representatives aren't the picture of solidarity. Personally, I'm sick of speculation, sick of the daily "Lockout Updates" on Sportsnet News, and don't want to hear about anything until some progess is actually made.