I do agree with the fact that Fehr actually hasn't been negotiating but merely posturing this whole time, letting the NHL make all the real offers. Fehr hasn't put a real proposal on the table yet and we are 2 months into the season. He has more in common with a tempermental 5 year old than a negotiator. Unfortunately, that's worked for him in the past.

How infuriating is this entire process? A game made popular by the fans, funded directly and indirectly by the fans, enjoying great revenues, holding out because each side wants more of our dollars. Oversimplification, I know, but at a time when they claim to want to grow interest in the game, they're spawning apathy and antagonism.

Really hope your right EK,

still not feeling warm & fuzzy with Fehr in this game, he may still be playing lockout poker during the 2 weeks

I do agree with the fact that Fehr actually hasn't been negotiating but merely posturing this whole time, letting the NHL make all the real offers. Fehr hasn't put a real proposal on the table yet and we are 2 months into the season. He has more in common with a tempermental 5 year old than a negotiator. Unfortunately, that's worked for him in the past.
- Flyers_01

agreed

surprised the owners haven't attacked him more, as his reputation precedes itself

Hey Ek, get your nose out of Bettman's rear end. It's the players who are being asked to give on this one, after they gave on the last one. I don't blame them one bit for what is happening. This is all on Bettman and co.

This is so frustrating. They both seem to be just playing games.. I don't think the owners really want a season as crazy as it sounds... Wonde how they would feel if some of their star players get hurt on bad ice in the KHL... So sick of them all... I know I am always negative but who cares anyway.. There will be no season

- Flyfreaky

LMAO

I stopped reading right there.

"I have had owners tell me they wouldn't miss a period of hockey over those contractual issues..."

You've NEVER spoke to an NHL owner in your life. Don't take us all for fools, c'mon!
- blackhawks64

You seem to be pretty sure of yourself there champ..... How would you know who Ek talks too? Pretty sure Ek is honest about who he talks too

Those bastards can continue to negotiate as long as they want...NHL is no longer important in my life..We have junior hockey and I play 3 games a week in a beer league...Wayyyy better than sitting on the couch and watch those losers!

So for all of you players and owners... Go F**K yourselves!!!

Thank you
- Maikan

THIS! This is the message that Bettman and Co should be getting from us, the diehard hockey fans. I'll get my hockey fill elsewhere. We have seen 3 lockouts in Bettman's rein of terror. If we lose another season because of this clown, I'm done with this league.

Talki g right now would destroy the season.
- Eklund

?????????????????????????? ?

Not sure why the union would not just de-certify and end this thing. They'd get rid of the owners antitrust exemption, salary cap and draft in one swoop. Players could sign where ever they liked for as much dough as they could get.

Hey Ek, get your nose out of Bettman's rear end. It's the players who are being asked to give on this one, after they gave on the last one. I don't blame them one bit for what is happening. This is all on Bettman and co.
- triggermartin

The mere fact that they are being asked to give shouldn't be seen as an insult. I don't think anyone outside of the players themselves think that 50/50 is an insult but more likely a more rational ratio. Hockey players get a higher percentage of revenue than any other league and that's not sustainable.

I'm hearing alot of pride and ego from the players side rather than a rational discussion of the economic reality. Players would rather lose $2 billion so they can say they saved $400 million. The $1.6 billion lost never enters the equation.

Not sure why the union would not just de-certify and end this thing. They'd get rid of the owners antitrust exemption, salary cap and draft in one swoop. Players could sign where ever they liked for as much dough as they could get.
- hockey123

Because it's stupid to actually do. Use it as a threat, sure. The reality of decertification is much more complex than that. It is not a panacea for the players.

The driving force on both sides of this mess is greed, pure and simple!
Neither side gives a damn about the fans or perhaps more importantly the vendors and stadium and parking lot workers who are hurting terribly.

F them all!!!

I respect Eks opinion, but I still believe both sides are pig headed enough to cost us another lost season. The combo of stupidity, stubbornness and naked greed truly boggles the mind.

Why don't they do contract length based on age? If you are 25 or under you can sign up to a 10 year deal. 26-30 7 years max. 31 and up is a 5 year max.

Many of you are getting more and more angry, saying the NHL doesn't care about the season. Doesn't care about the fans...and I get it. I even am starting to question myself if ANYONE out there realizes the great responsibility to protect the game that comes with their titles...

i see it more questioning whether the PA--specifically the Fehr boys--cares about the season. the reason we're in such a dangerous position is that the man who controls this entire process has nothing invested in or riding on the health of the game. all he cares about is the optics of the dealits its aesthetic value. he is the most dangerous thing for the game that i can remember.

Because it's stupid to actually do. Use it as a threat, sure. The reality of decertification is much more complex than that. It is not a panacea for the players.
- Flyers_01

Not stupid at all actually. When you have million dollar agents representing you and looking out for your best interests it's just not necessary any more. Best case scenario is they use the threat to get a sweetheart deal from the owners and keep the union alive, but if the owners don't bite it's not the worst thing that could happen especially in the near future.

Because it's stupid to actually do. Use it as a threat, sure. The reality of decertification is much more complex than that. It is not a panacea for the players.
- Flyers_01

didnt the NFLPA do it last year?

Fehr is playing chicken with the wrong guy.
He better give or this season is done!

didnt the NFLPA do it last year?
- DoubleDown

I believe it was the NBA and it ended the labor dispute in days.

Great blog Ek,

Fact is Fehr has been working hard for 1+ years building up the rift that seems to exist between the players and owners. In order to make a solid union the guy has instilled fear and mistrust between the owners and players. Its not like they were best friends before, but having a strong union was a must going into negotiations. Fehr and the players will not win this battle. I give it one month if the season isn't cancelled already, and we will start to here complaints and fractures within the union. The all might dollar becomes more and more important to the 75% of players not making Crosby type money. And when that happens the season will already be gone or a deal will get made quickly. Fehr is painting himself into a corner that he will not be able to get out of. The NHL is 100% correct, they are negotiating against themselves. It is time a line was drawn in the sand. As much as I disliked Bettman at the start of the process, I have shifted my anger and distrust to Fehr. Better to trust the devil you know vs the devil you don't.

Ek would be interesting to put up a poll now.... on Sides NHL vs NHLPA, Fehr vs Bettman.

You seem to be pretty sure of yourself there champ..... How would you know who Ek talks too? Pretty sure Ek is honest about who he talks too


- Flyers_1488

Fehr is playing chicken with the wrong guy.
He better give or this season is done!
- JACMAN

Fehr actually makes me root for Gary Bettman.

Bettman, by the way, looks awful.

The mere fact that they are being asked to give shouldn't be seen as an insult. I don't think anyone outside of the players themselves think that 50/50 is an insult but more likely a more rational ratio. Hockey players get a higher percentage of revenue than any other league and that's not sustainable.

I'm hearing alot of pride and ego from the players side rather than a rational discussion of the economic reality. Players would rather lose $2 billion so they can say they saved $400 million. The $1.6 billion lost never enters the equation.
- Flyers_01

Should the players be asked to give, and not expect anything in return? I agree that 50/50 is a reasonable ratio. But that still doesn't change the fact that they are giving in that. That can't be ignored. So in a deal that is supposed to be give and take, what do the players get out of it? The NHL's vision of a new deal is 50/50 and taking contract rights away from the players. How is that reasonable? And how is that not insulting to the players?