How about a guy who signed his deal 3 years ago and has 3 years to go?

According to the terms of the contract, he's guaranteed every penny of that money.
- Jsaquella

he knew very well the CBA was expiring at a certain date and like i said everything you do in life is a gamble some are safer bets than others

That's not the way athletes think. They have lifestyles that the average schlub can only dream about. They look at it like they are being screwed out of millions, that means less cars, houses, etc... it's all relative.
- PLindbergh31

Athletes are as greedy as the owners and this is why will have a lockout.

That's not the way athletes think. They have lifestyles that the average schlub can only dream about. They look at it like they are being screwed out of millions, that means less cars, houses, etc... it's all relative.
- PLindbergh31

my response is BOO HOO if you can take a body check you can take a pay cut grow a pair

I just think 70M or 90M I can still be set for life. If I'm making 80,000 and its cut down to 60,000 thats a big hit. That would piss me off.
- stveshdy

I understand. The thing is, when your talent is what people pay money to see, and drives the revenue of the league, why are you wrong for taking the money offered?

Sure, there are teams losing money. But professional sports are also a huge moneymaker for people who own teams. Otherwise, players wouldn't be getting the massive contracts that they've been getting.

There have been a handful of teams that have been sold for less than the guy paid to buy the team in the first place. Even the Coyotes, who supposedly bleed money, could be sold for $170mm

my response is BOO HOO if you can take a body check you can take a pay cut grow a pair
- 2Real

You mean they cant have 10 cars and 5 houses?

I understand. The thing is, when your talent is what people pay money to see, and drives the revenue of the league, why are you wrong for taking the money offered?

Sure, there are teams losing money. But professional sports are also a huge moneymaker for people who own teams. Otherwise, players wouldn't be getting the massive contracts that they've been getting.

There have been a handful of teams that have been sold for less than the guy paid to buy the team in the first place. Even the Coyotes, who supposedly bleed money, could be sold for $170mm
- Jsaquella

I'm sure the players would be pissed. Without the owners we dont have a league period.

I definately understand your point.

Athletes are as greedy as the owners and this is why will have a lockout.
- stveshdy

The damage to the NHL will be immense, immeasurable if there is another work stoppage. You would think all parties involved would realize this. If there is another stoppage a lot of fans are going to find other ways to spend their time and money.

You mean they cant have 10 cars and 5 houses?
- stveshdy

they might have to learn how to live within their means

The damage to the NHL will be immense, immeasurable if there is another work stoppage. You would think all parties involved would realize this. If there is another stoppage a lot of fans are going to find other ways to spend their time and money.
- PLindbergh31

yea like hookers and blackjack

I understand. The thing is, when your talent is what people pay money to see, and drives the revenue of the league, why are you wrong for taking the money offered?

Sure, there are teams losing money. But professional sports are also a huge moneymaker for people who own teams. Otherwise, players wouldn't be getting the massive contracts that they've been getting.

There have been a handful of teams that have been sold for less than the guy paid to buy the team in the first place. Even the Coyotes, who supposedly bleed money, could be sold for $170mm
- Jsaquella

i don't pay to see the talent i pay to see my team win now if it takes talent to win that's another story

no but you can find him on the Rangers

i'll see my proportion of it through my stock options. sure there are people that can code just as good if not better but there is more employers than employees out here so they fight for the good talent
- 2Real

So, if the Flyers iced a team of beer leaguers, would Ed Snider make as much money? Or do fans come to see the team because it's been consistently filled with good players that win games?

The players are who the fans come to see. They're the ones whose names are on the jerseys. They are the ones whose highlights people watch, who little kids try to emulate when they play the sport.

That's where the whole "take a paycut" thing bugs me, because without the players, the owners aren't making any money.

You mean they cant have 10 cars and 5 houses?
- stveshdy

Greedy or not, they earned it, they have a skill that very few have, and are compensated accordingly. It's all about supply and demand, if there were millions of other people who could play NHL hockey the players would be making 50k a year.

Greedy or not, they earned it, they have a skill that very few have, and are compensated accordingly. It's all about supply and demand, if there were millions of other people who could play NHL hockey the players would be making 50k a year.
- PLindbergh31

Not going to be an issue. No agreement, no league. So the players will be making zero dollars if they stay in America to play.

So, if the Flyers iced a team of beer leaguers, would Ed Snider make as much money? Or do fans come to see the team because it's been consistently filled with good players that win games?

The players are who the fans come to see. They're the ones whose names are on the jerseys. They are the ones whose highlights people watch, who little kids try to emulate when they play the sport.

That's where the whole "take a paycut" thing bugs me, because without the players, the owners aren't making any money.
- Jsaquella

Alex Semin is talented as hell do you think you win with a team full of him?

When I watch the Flyers, I'm watching the Flyers and the great city they represent. Now, if a player helps the Flyers win, then i'm happy.

Greedy or not, they earned it, they have a skill that very few have, and are compensated accordingly. It's all about supply and demand, if there were millions of other people who could play NHL hockey the players would be making 50k a year.
- PLindbergh31

congrats you can shoot a puck into a net better than most people

So, if the Flyers iced a team of beer leaguers, would Ed Snider make as much money? Or do fans come to see the team because it's been consistently filled with good players that win games?

The players are who the fans come to see. They're the ones whose names are on the jerseys. They are the ones whose highlights people watch, who little kids try to emulate when they play the sport.

That's where the whole "take a paycut" thing bugs me, because without the players, the owners aren't making any money.
- Jsaquella

That is very true. Owners are always looking to make more money. When you have the power you make the rules. The players and owners will have to meet some where in the middle of what is being offered.

I'm sure the players would be pissed. Without the owners we dont have a league period.

I definately understand your point.
- stveshdy

Back in the 1930's, major league ballplayers used to do barnstorming tours. They'd get together all star teams and play games to packed houses that didn't have MLB teams close by.

You think that a group of top players getting together and doing a barnstorming tour wouldn't make money?

My whole point is really that, in the last 7 years or so, we've seen the owners make demand after demand, while the players have made concession after concession. The owners wanted a salary cap. They got it. They wanted to scale back all player salaries by 24%, they got it.

The owners and players need one another. The players have been, IMO, far more willing to make a fair and workable deal than the owners, which was also the case back in 2004-05. I just want to see hockey, not having billionaires fight millionaires.

Not going to be an issue. No agreement, no league. So the players will be making zero dollars if they stay in America to play.
- stveshdy

We will see what happens. I think there is a good possibility the season doesn't start on time, then common sense comes into play and there is a shortened season. Owners/Players alike know what is at stake. I would say there is no better than a 5% chance that the entire season is lost.

Back in the 1930's, major league ballplayers used to do barnstorming tours. They'd get together all star teams and play games to packed houses that didn't have MLB teams close by.

You think that a group of top players getting together and doing a barnstorming tour wouldn't make money?

My whole point is really that, in the last 7 years or so, we've seen the owners make demand after demand, while the players have made concession after concession. The owners wanted a salary cap. They got it. They wanted to scale back all player salaries by 24%, they got it.

The owners and players need one another. The players have been, IMO, far more willing to make a fair and workable deal than the owners, which was also the case back in 2004-05. I just want to see hockey, not having billionaires fight millionaires.
- Jsaquella

Yes, but you're forgetting the players think they're entitled to every little bit of money when, in fact, they're getting special privileges.

Alex Semin is talented as hell do you think you win with a team full of him?
- 2Real

No, because a team needs to be made up of diverse parts that pull together to win a game.

Just like a team full of nothing but Sutter brothers wouldn't likely win, despite tons of grit, heart and desire

unlike some of the other obnoxious types I know are smarter than you pretend to be here and only do half the poop you do to get a rise out of people. Unlike others who have to stroke their own egos or feel better about themselves by making others feel low, I have observed you just getting a genuine kick out pissing people off. I don't think you will argue much with this, not wholeheartedly anyway.
- JoeRussomanno

I say we find these trolls and hang them by their nads

That is very true. Owners are always looking to make more money. When you have the power you make the rules. The players and owners will have to meet some where in the middle of what is being offered.
- stveshdy

Danny Briere I made you a multi-millionaire because you can shoot the puck better than most people. Not because you are smart, genius, math-wiz, etc. Are you grateful?

Back in the 1930's, major league ballplayers used to do barnstorming tours. They'd get together all star teams and play games to packed houses that didn't have MLB teams close by.

You think that a group of top players getting together and doing a barnstorming tour wouldn't make money?

My whole point is really that, in the last 7 years or so, we've seen the owners make demand after demand, while the players have made concession after concession. The owners wanted a salary cap. They got it. They wanted to scale back all player salaries by 24%, they got it.

The owners and players need one another. The players have been, IMO, far more willing to make a fair and workable deal than the owners, which was also the case back in 2004-05. I just want to see hockey, not having billionaires fight millionaires.
- Jsaquella

Thats the real world. The person with the most money has the power. I agree with what your saying but the owners really have the power here. I think the players have the right to fight it but in the end its better for both parties to agree on something in the middle.

No, because a team needs to be made up of diverse parts that pull together to win a game.

Just like a team full of nothing but Sutter brothers wouldn't likely win, despite tons of grit, heart and desire
- Jsaquella

I disagree about the Sutter brothers comment. If a team wants the game more, they'll most likely win. Look at the Devils/Flyers in the playoffs. Flyers were much better than those piss poor Devils. Devils just wanted it more.

Yes, but you're forgetting the players think they're entitled to every little bit of money when, in fact, they're getting special privileges.
- 2Real

Please provide one single link where the players demanded 100% of revenues.

The owners are proposing a 54-46% split of revenues in their favor, which means they want more than half of the money. They also want to redefine the meaning of hockey revenue to make the pot smaller to begin with. They want to require a player's right to be held longer by a team, to limit his ability to earn more at an earlier age. The owners make these demands while their spokesman has touted the financial health and well being of the league, saying it's never been more profitable in it's 100+ year history

Under the old system, the players were employees, getting paid at whatever rate they could get. Now, they are limited to 57% of CBA defined "hockey revenue" A portion of their salary goes into escrow and gets held from them to ensure the split.