No, I purposely rearranged the stock to see if anything was disturbed in the days between my visit. Putting the second item backwards and the second from the back, backwards. It they sold one, then a backwards lawnchair, with the logo not showing would be out front. Sure, someone could have reached into the middle for one, but that would also constitute an employee adding one to the front or back. Ten lawnchairs, ten when I returned.

But that's not the point. First, I didn't know Dee was a female, my apologies. Secondly, it's total apathy out there. I spoke to a sporting goods store, in our town. They sold Jersey's and numbered them. They've sold next to nothing, in NHL Jerseys. People are buying more OHL Jerseys instead. That's great for the local team, here in Belleville. I'm sure the Bulls are doing great, with more merchandise being sold and higher attendance, but the NHL fans just don't care. There is no talk about it, or arguments between Leafs fans, vs Sens or Habs fans (same Sh!t by they way) The Maple Leafs are the number one marketed team in the National Hockey League. If this is an indicator of fan interest, then the NHL has underestimated their fans.
- PrinceLH

Seriously dude, you need a hobby to keep you occupied during the lockout.

But to your point, don't kid yourself, as soon as this thing is over people will be flocking back to the stores to buy merch.

good to see that there are no other issues in long island..now we can really roll up or sleeves and tackle this one
- NYI78

i dont think anyone is saying the players have it bad. its just a matter of hockey, as is everything in life, is a business, and when money is being made, and youre responsible for that money being made, you want to get paid....
- LetsGoIsles

Your not responsible for the owners making that money. The players are put in the position, by the owners to make that money.

Worse than that is the "Union" The star players are going over seas and getting millions while the bottom 6 forwards are sitting on their butts doing nothing. SO much for the union.

The owners are out of their minds if they dont honor existing contracts.
- kindlyrick

there are quite a few "bottom six" forwards playing over seas... either way what does the union have to do with that?

XxNYIxX

Why did i read this. Just leave a blog up and dont change it so we can comment. I actually cringe every time i read a blog by you. Embarrassing
- Cptmjl

Exactly... i dont know why we NEED to have a new blog daily or every other day.. if there is NOTHING to report.

XxNYIxX

Actually, it's not a brutal blog. I actually agree with him. It doesn't just go as far as not wearing my Leafs tee shirts and Jerseys. I've been doing some Christmas shopping, but I've stayed away from gifts with NHL logo's on them. It appears that everyone else has too. I recently went into a Zellers Department Store, here in Ontario and counted the number of Toronto Maple Leaf lawn chairs. I came back to the store, 5 days later and noticed that not one was sold. I actually turned around a couple, one second from the front and one second from the back, to see if there had been any added. Not one sold.

The apathy of the fans is quite different this time around. Last time, there was a work stoppage and a year was lost, people still bought Leafs merchandise for Christmas. This time, the fans have tuned out. This is a bad, ominous sign for the league, when their number one, cash generating team is being totally ignored. These fools are going to kill the golden goose and when that happens, the Revenue Sharing will be cut drastically. They better get this done pronto, or they may find that this will turn into a debacle that they could never have predicted.
- PrinceLH

The league knows that the second the puck is dropped those lawn chairs will be gone.... they can wait.

XxNYIxX

Your not responsible for the owners making that money. The players are put in the position, by the owners to make that money.
- bixll

lets acknowledge they both need each other to make the money from hockey fans. players cant play unless owners sign them, owners cant reap any profit if there are no players to play...

The league knows that the second the puck is dropped those lawn chairs will be gone.... they can wait.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

also who buys lawn chairs anymore?

also who buys lawn chairs anymore?
- LetsGoIsles

tailgating...

there are quite a few "bottom six" forwards playing over seas... either way what does the union have to do with that?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

take off the yashin jersey when you type to me please...

take off the yashin jersey when you type to me please...
- kindlyrick

still cant answer simple questions i see.



XxNYIxX

also who buys lawn chairs anymore?
- LetsGoIsles

kindlyrick

XxNYIxX

kindlyrick

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

i have tailgate chairs.......

there are quite a few "bottom six" forwards playing over seas... either way what does the union have to do with that?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

quite a few???? go ahead, list em.......the majority of the players playing over seas are top players. Sure you have a few bottom six guys, but 85 percent if not more that went over from the NHL are skilled guys.

quite a few???? go ahead, list em.......the majority of the players playing over seas are top players. Sure you have a few bottom six guys, but 85 percent if not more that went over from the NHL are skilled guys.
- kindlyrick

still haven't answered the question.. what does the union have to do with that?

XxNYIxX

still haven't answered the question.. what does the union have to do with that?

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

If the teachers union had a dispute and were not working collectively, how would teacher B feel if they were stuck at home with no pay, while teacher A was going overseas because they were able to? If you are going to preach Union, they should all feel the pinch.

If the teachers union had a dispute and were not working collectively, how would teacher B feel if they were stuck at home with no pay, while teacher A was going overseas because they were able to? If you are going to preach Union, they should all feel the pinch.
- kindlyrick

its the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) its a union that protects players playing in the NHL. ANY of those players are free to play wherever they want outside the NHL... ANY of them, top line, back line, retired, just like any of those teachers could still tutor or work elsewhere... the union isnt Omnipotent.

XxNYIxX

its the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) its a union that protects players playing in the NHL. ANY of those players are free to play wherever they want outside the NHL... ANY of them, top line, back line, retired, just like any of those teachers could still tutor or work elsewhere... the union isnt Omnipotent.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

On top of that... just like last lockout, the PA told the players that the lockout could be quite long and that they should not only start saving money but they should also start looking for other possible work (that includes playing over seas)

XxNYIxX

its the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) its a union that protects players playing in the NHL. ANY of those players are free to play wherever they want outside the NHL... ANY of them, top line, back line, retired, just like any of those teachers could still tutor or work elsewhere... the union isnt Omnipotent.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Tell that to the guys sitting at home who aren't able to make millions in europe. Please.......thats not what a Union is. A Union stands together. I dont care if its the NHLPA, the teachers Union, or the Welders Union.

Perhaps if all the players felt the pinch the deals they agree to would be different. For example, Rick Nash is gonna play hard ball with the owners because he's not desperate to get back to the NHL. Where as a 4th liner who has kids to feed and only making 800k a year (now making nothing) would possibly take a different deal.

On top of that... just like last lockout, the PA told the players that the lockout could be quite long and that they should not only start saving money but they should also start looking for other possible work (that includes playing over seas)

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Yeah OK..........and when the financial markets collapsed, you dont think the bankers and traders were looking for jobs elsewhere? There werent any. Your idea sounds great on paper, but its not realistic.


Its easy for someone to say get ready for the storm, but in some instances all you can do is board up and hope for the best..........just cause the PA said save money and look overseas doesnt mean there were opportunities for everyone. Its only for the elite....

Yeah OK..........and when the financial markets collapsed, you dont think the bankers and traders were looking for jobs elsewhere? There werent any. Your idea sounds great on paper, but its not realistic.


Its easy for someone to say get ready for the storm, but in some instances all you can do is board up and hope for the best..........just cause the PA said save money and look overseas doesnt mean there were opportunities for everyone. Its only for the elite....
- kindlyrick

I agree with both you guys on this to some extent. There is an idea of what a union is "supposed" to be, and then there is the reality of what a lot of unions turn out to be when the going gets tough....

If the teachers union had a dispute and were not working collectively, how would teacher B feel if they were stuck at home with no pay, while teacher A was going overseas because they were able to? If you are going to preach Union, they should all feel the pinch.
- kindlyrick

How could a teachers union whose members worked in public schools stop a member from going to a private school and working during a work stoppage? And remember, this is a lockout, not a players strike. The union solidarity issue really doesn't come into play.

Tell that to the guys sitting at home who aren't able to make millions in europe. Please.......thats not what a Union is. A Union stands together. I dont care if its the NHLPA, the teachers Union, or the Welders Union.

Perhaps if all the players felt the pinch the deals they agree to would be different. For example, Rick Nash is gonna play hard ball with the owners because he's not desperate to get back to the NHL. Where as a 4th liner who has kids to feed and only making 800k a year (now making nothing) would possibly take a different deal.
- kindlyrick

I honestly do understand what you are saying & i know you think i just like to argue with you, but it really isnt the case.

Sports of course is a completely different beast then any other profession, but all unions work in pretty much the exact same way... they are an organization there to help the worker's interest in matters like the CBA, Pensions, healthcare, equal rights, ect ( I have a pretty good feeling you know what a union is, but some dont)

Any union stands together during a strike, if the players go on strike they are supposed to be an undivided union of 1, no one crosses that picket line. This however is a lock out.

The beauty of a union is that every man has an equal vote, so there are more back-up & third string goalies,second, third & forth line players then there is star "Rick Nash" types. Also you have to think about the players over seas, you think they would rather be playing there, then spending time with their family while playing for the right to hoist the cup?? They want this over.

Im a pro-union man.. I was raised by union workers & I became one, was even a shop steward (Local 1500) so I understand what is going on at these meetings, the union reps are trying to get the absolute best deal for the players while not giving up anything (or as little as possible) but I just think the PA is looking for a "WIN" rather the best interest of the players.

I may have rambled on a bit, the kids are driving me nuts as i try to type this... but in a nut shell, if the job is keeping you from working, you find work elsewhere... but if you are striking against the man, you stand as one.

XxNYIxX

Or...maybe they just brought more out from the warehouse???
- canadianpenfan

Or maybe NHL lawn chairs just aren't a big seller in the middle of winter

lets acknowledge they both need each other to make the money from hockey fans. players cant play unless owners sign them, owners cant reap any profit if there are no players to play...
- LetsGoIsles

But, owners can get new players. Players can't get new owners.