He was the sole reason for the 04 lockout. Yes, he got them an incredible deal in the end, but at the cost of the entire season (in which those prima donna owners lost revenues, counter-productive). There comes a point where you have to realize the damage that you are doing to the NHL as a business by not letting it operate for an entire year. Many people wonder why hockey isn't a more popular sport, well a lockout every 7 years definitely doesn't help. And now, after the most profitable year in the NHL's history, a year which saw the number of hockey fans grow by more than any other year, Betman shows absolutely no sense of urgency to avoid a lockout. It's almost as if he was hoping for a lockout, and the chance to piss people off. As an 'academic and professional', he appears to have no idea how to improve the league, and he doesn't give a flying fuck about the fans (the only source of revenue). The Betman supporters are far and few in between, and for good reason. Betman is an idiot, and you don't agree with that, then you are too.
No NHL lockout in 2012
- Thread starter Babypowder
- Start date
Bill Watters said that 23 NHL team are only breaking even or losing money so a lockout won't cost them anything financially. In fact, a team that is losing money is actually better off financially if they cancel the season.
I'm fairly certain that these numbers are exaggerated, especially after the most profitable season in the league's history. But nevertheless, I understand that many owners do feel that they are entitled to more, and I agree with that. What I don't agree with is Betman's methods of doing so. Betman was simply waiting for a lockout, it's almost like he enjoys pissing off the fans. Although they may not suffer financial losses now, think about next season. The casual hockey fans who just started coming to games last year aren't going to wait another year to give them money again. This year they will spend their money on NFL games, MLB games, or dare I say, NBA games. It's a real possibility that a lockout will lose the interest of casual fans. No matter how great of a deal Betman is able to work out, losing fans is not worth it. There was a solid deal on the table from the NHLPA which would have avoided the lockout and made sure that pretty much all the owners were profitable. Betman said no. And pissed everyone off
I doubt it will last the full season, but like i said earlier, I wouldn't be surprised if there was no hockey in 2012
I just can't see it going a full season, Betman would be fired before that could happen
Personally, I would love to see players go play in the KHL. Rumor has it that Crosby is considering playing with Malkin in Russia.
I would love to see this because the NHL has fucked over the fans with a lockout for the 2nd season in 7 years.
Why not add in the aspect of competition? If Sidney Crosby, the face of the NHL, was to go play in Russia, imagine the effect it would have on the NHL's image as the 'most elite league in the world'.
As a huge hockey fan, I'm pissed at the NHL and I hate Gary Betman.
I would rather watch games on TV from Russia then have to deal with the NHL and its 2 lockouts per decade.
First thing Sunday morning, all current NHLers with two way contracts have been sent to the minors. Guys like Skinner, from Carolina, Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle and Paajarvi have all been sent to their AHL affiliates. There's going to be some good young players to watch in the minors. With the NHL teams doing this, they are bumping quite a few guys off their AHL clubs to keep their young stars working.
No it is not, at least not according to several 'sports experts'(soccer fans) here on TERB.
Hockey is only a big deal here in Canada.
How so ? It happened before, stars went to play over seas, and no one even blinked.
They(Crosby et al) will all have out clauses so if and when the NHL started up they can leave to come back to the NHL as soon as the lock-out ends.
Have you watched hockey from Russia ?
Either way I want the NHL back ASAP and will tune in on TV, and head down to the ACC whenever I get the chance.
Why are the NHL players signing on with the Russians? They aren't getting anywhere near the money they would get playing in the NHL and they are risking injury.
If Crosby goes over there and gets his bell rung what happens when strike ends and he's still in la la land?
I can understand guys that are fouth liners going to play but the guys making the big bucks, just doesn't make sense to me unless they think the NHL is toast.
If Crosby goes over there and gets his bell rung what happens when strike ends and he's still in la la land?
I can understand guys that are fouth liners going to play but the guys making the big bucks, just doesn't make sense to me unless they think the NHL is toast.
Aren't these NHL players under contract to NHL teams? Can they just pack up and leave?
I'm no expert but as I understand it, I think that's the point. The contract between the league and players has expired. They might have signed contracts with teams but the owners have locked them out so they aren't getting paid. Somebody else may be able to better explain this.
As Gameboy has stated, the current CBA has expired and the players have been locked out by the league. They aren't getting paid, so they can go ply their trade elsewhere. Most players, like Malkin, would need to carry a good insurance policy in case they get hurt and cannot fulfill their contractual obligations with their NHL club teams, when and if the lockout is over.
First of all, there wasn't a 'Crosby' to go across seas to abandon the league back in 04
It would make more of an impact now because of the popularity of the KHL, and their ability to offer high salaries. I believe I read that the KHL is allowed to offer NHL players 65% of what they are making in the NHL during the lockout. Crosby is making about 9 mil, I don't think there is a single team in the KHL who wouldn't offer Crosby 6 million to come play in Russia.
Think about Malkin. Russian guy, can barely speak English. He's going to go play a year in Russia, and he's still gonna make a load of money. Who says he's coming back? I doubt he'll stay, but theres always a chance. Look at Radulov. The guy is a top-tier NHL player, but he's been playing in the KHL for the past 4 years.
The point I'm trying to make is in this situation, competition is healthy. If players go play in Europe, and fans start watching games in Europe, thats a nice big 'fuck you' to the NHL for 4 lockouts in 20 years. As crazy as it may seem, I am more than willing to ditch the NHL. Obviously it will never be replaced, but i'm just saying.
And it also show that the players are willing to play for less. It's sort of like like they're giving a "fuck you" to themselves.
Let's keep in mind that many of these players are at the mercy of the Union. You think 1-2 year players are thrilled to be losing out on $600K to a million plus after riding the Jr. bus for the last several years? I'm sure many players will be feeling the pinch having strolled into huge contracts and they most certainly have monthly expenses to cover, so this could be a difficult situation for many players. As of today they wouldn't be getting paid yet anyway, so we'll see how the tone changes over the next month or two. In any case, if they miss one game, I'm done with the NHL. 2.5 million a year over 4 years is the average contract right now...tough living.
