Comments on: Bettman: “there are people who believe that the game has never been better”

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:13:43 +0000

Well, last I heard, the NHL is making more money than ever. It couldn’t be that bad. My feeling is that if he has respect for great artists and music, I would have more respect for him than I would for someone who doesn’t care about music at all, or who listens to what passes for music nowadays. I am not well versed on the business operations as you possibly are. I think he’s ok. I could probably have a great conversation with him. That’s all I can base it on. But other people would base their opinions on what they themselves stand to gain financially.

By: lostpuppysyndrome

lostpuppysyndrome — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 03:16:18 +0000

Gotta keep in mind the NHL also had 6 fewer teams and no salary cap, so the talent pool wasn’t as thin and teams like the Rangers, Habs, Kings, Wings and Avs spent a lot to win their Cups. Legitimate top lines with 3 dangerous forwards rushing up the ice existed, instead of maaaaybe 2 superstars and a dangler up front on most teams that many teams currently employ. However, you’re right about the enforcer rules. The game has just gotten so much bigger and faster, and the players just keep getting better and better. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to compare today’s NHL to even 20 years ago.

By: superross

superross — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 02:10:51 +0000

Great point!

By: dmfc1112

dmfc1112 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 01:35:04 +0000

I, for one, miss the days like 92-93 when the NHL had about 20 players over 100 points and maybe 10 players with 50 goals. gee what rule was NOT in place then?? the instigator maybe?? Skill guys had more room to work cause the role of enforcer meant something. So 20 years later I ask this: Are a few pre-meditated fights really a bigger detriment to the game than constant cheap shots??

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:40:52 +0000

Four, as it turns out. Apparently even that was too optimistic. =/

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:39:40 +0000

There are also no small few who feel it hasn’t been worse in a while, Gary. Some of us liked it better when soaring headshots weren’t a weekly occurrence and more than five players in the entire NHL crossed the forty-goal mark.

By: imleftcoast

imleftcoast — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:39:15 +0000

Hitler was a huge Wagner fan. Wagner wrote some beautiful music. Ergo, Hitler had some good points? Ah, no.

By: lostpuppysyndrome

lostpuppysyndrome — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 20:03:36 +0000

There’s a difference between predicting a work stoppage and fearing a work stoppage. So far, the only people I’ve seen fanning the flames of a predicted work stoppage is you media folks. Is there a legitimate chance? Well, it’s happened once already, so sure but nothing has happened yet. Both sides seem confident and amiable (so far), and there don’t appear to be any major issues of contention (again, so far). The owners and the NHLPA hopefully learned their lesson from the last time and they should all be taken out back and shot if they repeat the same mistakes as last time.

By: noisetheorem

noisetheorem — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:15:43 +0000

Pardon me, but what does seeing Hendrix have to do with running a professional sport? My dad met Hendrix once…so I guess he is qualified to run the NFL?

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:28:41 +0000

I will take the unpopular stance and say that I like Bettman. He saw Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, etc. He’s got great taste in music. He’s doing the best he can I am sure. Everyone makes mistakes. You just keep learning and roll with the punches.