Comments on: CBA talks pushed back from 10 a.m. ET start

By: skarfacci

skarfacci — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:09:32 +0000

The players and Fehr are scum. The owners should freeze them out permanently and move on. Donald Fehr is the biggest scum in the history of pro sports. He was the protege of Marvin Miller who ruined pro sports. When you make more money then 95% of the public, doesn’t it look a little ridiculous that you are willingly battling with your bosses. Shouldn’t you be a little more cooperative. How about abolishing the union and each player representing himself. How does that sound? Reasonable to me.

By: nderdog

nderdog — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:34:56 +0000

If they don’t reach an agreement today, here’s what they should do. Find a trusted party that they both agree to who they are comfortable trusting with their biggest secrets. Have each party submit the absolute least-favorable contract that they would be willing to agree to. The arbitrator can then review both sides’ worst-case-scenarios. If the numbers line up, they can return to the bargaining table knowing that there is a reachable agreement. If there isn’t enough common ground to continue, cancel the season and let them all think a bit harder about what they really do want and try again in 3 months and repeat the process until they either reach acceptable terms or determine that they will never find common ground and everyone can move on. It’s a bit drastic, but think of the millions in lawyer fees that would be saved and all of the false hope that would be avoided if they just ended up the charade right now and know that either they’re close enough to nail down something solid or they’re far enough apart that wasting everyone’s time and energy is just pointless.

By: jeldred04

jeldred04 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:00:45 +0000

Fehr is a sleez ball. He is only worried about his pay check. The longer this goes on, he feels like he is needed more and more. The dude led the MLBPA to strike in 1994. He negotiated for all the things that are ruining baseball. He doesn’t care about the league his players play in. As long as he is getting paid; he feels like he is getting things accomplished. I knew this would happen as soon as the NHLPA hired him. I have prepared for a lost season. I cancelled my center ice subscription even lowered my cable bill by cancelling the service that gave me nbcsports. This is embarrassing to the NHL, players, and the fans. It makes me think about how stupid the upper echelon of the NHL are. They had increasing revenue, increasing attendance, increasing fan bases all over the United States and the one that flys way under the radar is that the game was growing in the U.S. It is being incorporated into high schools in southern states and average fan states. Hockey was the biggest growing sport money wise in the United States over the last three years. Now it is back to the drawing board in the U.S. Everything they worked for over the past 8 years just went down the drain as soon as the lockout missed game 1. Cancelling of the Winter Classic crushed any hope of average fans coming back this year. Looks like it’s going to be a long 5 years for Hockey to get back onto the mainstream TV channels. I’m done with my rant since I know have to get ready for work. By the way Go PENS!

By: islesjb

islesjb — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:00:12 +0000

Further evidence that a 48 game season is more than legitimate- The below article shows that 6 of the 8 teams that made the playoffs in the Eastern Conference in the 94-95 season (48 games) had also made the playoffs in the 93-94 season (82 games).

It also looks at last season and shows that the top 8 ranked teams in the Eastern Conference last season after 48 games are the EXACT same 8 teams that ended up making the playoffs after 82 games.

http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/1/3/3827770/nhl-lockout-shortened-season-chances-playoffs

So Buford, and all of the people who say that a 48 game season is a joke….. put that into your pipe and smoke it

By: bricktop02

bricktop02 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:37:40 +0000

Good point puck.

By: ironmike778

ironmike778 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:25:05 +0000

I’ve grown to hate that picture of Fehr more than you know.

By: gallyhatch

gallyhatch — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:30:53 +0000

As a Season Ticket Holder, I have no problem with a 48 game schedule.

I understand this is probably an unpopular opinion, but 24 home games is a lot easier to manage than 41, and we will get to the playoffs that much quicker.

Hey, the NHL & NHLPA have been selfish this whole time, now it’s my turn.

By: islesjb

islesjb — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:29:28 +0000

Exactly, I’m jonesing for some hockey

By: whatthepuck2012

whatthepuck2012 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:29:20 +0000

With paint drying, at least we know its eventually gonna dry.

By: islesjb

islesjb — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:59:08 +0000

And who are these people? Devils haters and detractors? Everyone is playing 48 games and you still need to go through 4 rounds and win 16 games to hoist the cup.

By: Buford T Justice

Buford T Justice — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:50:07 +0000

actually lots of people still remember and place an asterisk ** on that Devil team for winning the Cup in 95, referring to their “accomplishment” as “half a cup”

48 games is a joke …..

By: sportsfan69

sportsfan69 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:13:43 +0000

The 401K plan is in addition to the Defined Benefit plan. Which would allow for the players to put away (save) up to $17,000 per year tax free.

By: whatthepuck2012

whatthepuck2012 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:12:43 +0000

Islesjb I totally agree. How can anyone say a 48 game season would be a joke, when every game would have playoff implications? And I don’t want to wait 10 months to watch my Pens. So DO THIS ALREADY.

By: sportsfan69

sportsfan69 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:09:02 +0000

I concur with Dumbasdirt. 63 million cap, go 50/50 on pension funding. As a player, you want to split the pension funding. Provides additional actuary safe guards. You’re part owner of the plan. It’s a good thing. It protects the players from any future (negative) pension changes. If not established, provide a trust with the 401K plan. It provides protection to the players with any possible future litigations against the player’s retirement. It can’t be touched by outsiders. Just a suggestion.

By: islesjb

islesjb — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:04:59 +0000

I really don’t think that a 48 game season would be a “joke.” I’ve made this point a couple times over the lockout so I’ll make it again:

No one thinks of the Heat’s championship last year after a shortened season was a joke and no one regards the Devils 95′ cup win after a 48 game season as tainted.

The playoffs are still the playoffs and will still be arguably the most grueling among all major sports. If anything, with less games, each individual game will be more significant and thus, more intense.

I agree that the entire lockout has been a joke and a complete abuse of the fans, but still don’t want to wait a year to watch hockey and will be happy with a 48 game season.

By: bricktop02

bricktop02 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:02:46 +0000

These negotiations are like watching paint dry. $hit or get off the pot already.

By: jaredo10

jaredo10 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:00:40 +0000

This is the worst/ longest roller coaster ride I ever been on. What a mess

By: spongebobsportspants

spongebobsportspants — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:49:29 +0000

I’m beginning to think no season.

By: xthexundyingx

xthexundyingx — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:46:47 +0000

hmm do I want a season this year or bettman to be fired due to failing again at saving the season….this is a tou- cancel it NOW! KILL IT WITH FIRE!

By: doubles22

doubles22 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:41:41 +0000

Which is it? Ignorance, or apathy?

“I don’t know, and I don’t care…”

By: derwoodff64

derwoodff64 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:41:38 +0000

Salary cap? And your within 5 mil.? Split the difference and move on!!!!

By: dumbasdirt

dumbasdirt — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:39:03 +0000

The lockout is now more than 100 days old. Take your time everyone. Keep delaying meetings. No hurry. A 48 game season will be a joke of a season just like this whole situation has been anyway.

I used to be apathetic but now I just don’t care