Comments on: Malhotra: Players would be “on vacation somewhere stuffing our faces” if they didn’t want to play

By: somekat

somekat — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:29:41 +0000

This entire article, on it’s face, is BS. You can’t say “If you’re on Twitter and following any of the players, you know they’re involved in the process even to the point of annoyance.”, then follow that with “Add to that the number of players who headed overseas to play”

If a signifigant amount of players are playing overseas, they CAN’T be “involved in the process even to the point of annoyance”. The bloggers on this site are so pro-union, it’s ridiculous

By: grillmarks

grillmarks — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 04:08:37 +0000

Dustin Byfuglien will be stuffing his face regardless.

By: blomfeld

blomfeld — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 02:34:10 +0000

WHY IS EVERYONE SMILING ?

Malhotra’s a nice guy and he means well no doubt, however he’s completely clueless as to what’s really going on here. You’ll notice in the pictures up top that for the first time “everyone” is smiling ! (ie: Bettman, Daly, both Donald & Steve Fehr, etc). And you’re gonna tell me that they don’t know “exactly” what’s going down here ? … yeah right ! Anyway, suffice it to say that we’re now coming to the final “dramatic” scene here in Gary’s “thrilling & convincing” stage production. So stay in your seats friends and “on with the show” !

ps: and just like an Elvis movie, I guarantee that we’re in for a happy ending !

By: stakex

stakex — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:59:01 +0000

The reason the owners didn’t bother to discuss the players three counter-offers is simple… they were all a different version of the first offer the players made. There was pretty much nothing different about them, and their one offer that claimed to be a 50-50 split… was actually a 56.7-43.3 in the first year. When you actually read the players offer, and then consider what the owners had offered… its not a shock that the owners simply walked out.

I agree that its frustrating seeing both sides not talking. However there really does have to be something to talk about, or its just going to hurt the process. If both sides are firm on their current stance, nothing good will come out of both sides getting in a room and yelling at eachother. You need some sort of common ground to start serious talks.

By: id4joey

id4joey — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:24:17 +0000

habsman, agreed. At first I was pissed as a fan, then realized the business issues at stake. That’s when I started saying the players would come to their senses. I never lost hope that there would be a season.

By: habsman

habsman — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 23:18:56 +0000

The players cannot win.

I think they’re finally starting to realize it. One more lost paycheque should do it.

By: id4joey

id4joey — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:53:57 +0000

The owners want to negotiate starting from their latest offer. I.e. their agenda, but the PA in unwilling.

By: jmbates10

jmbates10 — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 22:45:42 +0000

While I understand the player’s frustration, it is difficult to negotiate if the other side is unwilling to move off their position, and further walk away from three different counter proposal’s without the benefit of a discussion. Of course, my comments are from media reports so can only be taken in that context.

However, there is a deal to be done here and the fact they continue to entertain themselves with PR rhetoric rather than getting in a room, closing the door, ordering pizza and finalizing an agreement sure is frustrating for those of us wanting to see hockey return.

Hopefully this weekend’s discussions have advanced the ball a bit, but they better hurry up. People will find other less expensive avenues for their hockey fix.