I would too,because I think the majority of the PA would accept it...but Fehr wont allow it, piece of monkey poo!!
- captainserious

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTodQ6Svo9A

Chelios from 18 (wow) years ago.

@adater: Owners are "furious" at Don Fehr right now

Good call JJ! You were spot on! I hate to say it, but I think this season is toast...and anyone with any sympathy for Fehr or the PA in my opinion is nuts, I'll probably get blasted for saying that, but it's my opinion..Fehr and the PA are doing nothing but stalling, and I do not know why...The guy is a total cancer! And right now, I despise the players so much for hiring him, they knew exactly what they were getting, so I call B.S. that theycare about the fans...And I hate when someone mentions that last time the players gave up so much, and they shouldn't have to this time...Last time was last time, this is new, and has nothing to do with it! I'm surprised they don't mention the deal they had in the mid 90's!!!!! Morons!!!!!
- captainserious

So lets blame the players and Fehr for not caring about the fans. Guess what, not one player, union lawyer, owner, commissioner or employed hockey puck gives a crap about the fans. It's all about the money.

Latest news - Bettman not even in the building for the start of this meeting. That should really piss Fehr off, who is he going to antagonize to his delight? Hopefully Jeremyy Jacobs or that real scumbag Craig Leopold.

Here's my suggestion:

So lets blame the players and Fehr for not caring about the fans. Guess what, not one player, union lawyer, owner, commissioner or employed hockey puck gives a crap about the fans. It's all about the money.

Latest news - Bettman not even in the building for the start of this meeting. That should really piss Fehr off, who is he going to antagonize to his delight? Hopefully Jeremyy Jacobs or that real scumbag Craig Leopold.
- RickJ

I understand it's about $$$..but the players are no better than the owners right now...I'm sick of hearing: Let's get back to playing the game we love! And then they demand the new CBA be 5 years so they can do this again to everyone! Glad Bettman didn't show up, Al is right, Bettman has been a step ahead of him the whole time

I understand it's about $$$..but the players are no better than the owners right now...I'm sick of hearing: Let's get back to playing the game we love! And then they demand the new CBA be 5 years so they can do this again to everyone! Glad Bettman didn't show up, Al is right, Bettman has been a step ahead of him the whole time
- captainserious

Al would have a hard time convincing me that Bettman has been a step ahead of anybody during all of this. He couldn't sell toasted marshmellows on the Arctic Circle and he clearly doesn't have the wherewithal to get this deal done either. So he is a giant fail in his role as custodian of the game not just a highly paid stooge, lackey for the owners.

I have no real regard for the players either on a personal level. Clearly they love money more than the occupation no matter what they say to the press.

Hi John

Just registered and first time commenting but I have been following you and this site for a while and appreciate all the info and updates. I know we are all tired of this "roller coaster" and are anxiously awaiting a resolution, regardless of which way it goes. Do you think alot of info that is leaked out to the media is done to create misdirection/put up a smoke screen, or do you feel these "insiders" are spot on? I find it crazy to hear that owners have called players to tell them "get ready" only to have a deal get done!!! Then again, I guess when you add Bettman and Fehr to the mix, crazy becomes the norm.

Nothing's guaranteed until names get signed.

Players being told to get ready is likely indicative of progress made Tuesday and Wednesday.

If these tweets accurately reflect where things are late this AM, then that is an unfortunate development.
- John Jaeckel

Quick JJ, take down your blog. No one will notice...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTodQ6Svo9A

Chelios from 18 (wow) years ago.
- fattybeef

Good find!

Glad I'm not holding my breath on this.

Al would have a hard time convincing me that Bettman has been a step ahead of anybody during all of this. He couldn't sell toasted marshmellows on the Arctic Circle and he clearly doesn't have the wherewithal to get this deal done either. So he is a giant fail in his role as custodian of the game not just a highly paid stooge, lackey for the owners.

I have no real regard for the players either on a personal level. Clearly they love money more than the occupation no matter what they say to the press.
- RickJ

This on both sides.

Neither can be called good negotiators - good negotiators get deals done that have to get done.

Looks like bad news guys. Fehr says they are close to a deal but now this .....

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun
So, long story short, it's not good. Talks have broken off and who knows where the hell this goes now
Retweeted by Tim Sassone

This tweet was after Fehr's comments

Al would have a hard time convincing me that Bettman has been a step ahead of anybody during all of this. He couldn't sell toasted marshmellows on the Arctic Circle and he clearly doesn't have the wherewithal to get this deal done either. So he is a giant fail in his role as custodian of the game not just a highly paid stooge, lackey for the owners.

I have no real regard for the players either on a personal level. Clearly they love money more than the occupation no matter what they say to the press.
- RickJ

Exactly, look how much the players suffered after last cba...I mean you have guys making 3 to 5 million a year in the A.

Americas economic future has much uncertainty. Not providing any flexibility for that is assonine. If the owners have not sent that message clearly by now, then the players will never get it...and a bunch of them will lose talent and earnings potential that they will never get back.. Absolutely effing retarded. Players splitting hairs....

@adater: Owners are "furious" at Don Fehr right now

Good call JJ! You were spot on! I hate to say it, but I think this season is toast...and anyone with any sympathy for Fehr or the PA in my opinion is nuts, I'll probably get blasted for saying that, but it's my opinion..Fehr and the PA are doing nothing but stalling, and I do not know why...The guy is a total cancer! And right now, I despise the players so much for hiring him, they knew exactly what they were getting, so I call B.S. that theycare about the fans...And I hate when someone mentions that last time the players gave up so much, and they shouldn't have to this time...Last time was last time, this is new, and has nothing to do with it! I'm surprised they don't mention the deal they had in the mid 90's!!!!! Morons!!!!!
- captainserious

Exactly, look how much the players suffered after last cba...I mean you have guys making 3 to 5 million a year in the A.

Americas economic future has much uncertainty. Not providing any flexibility for that is assonine. If the owners have not sent that message clearly by now, then the players will never get it...and a bunch of them will lose talent and earnings potential that they will never get back.. Absolutely effing retarded. Players splitting hairs....

Very difficult to stay positive, we saw a possible "ending" to the lockout a couple months ago. To be honest, you can't trust the media. They are not in meetings and they don't know what is happening. Glad to hear Hossa is doing well enough to possibly be in opening night (if it happens).

Looks like bad news guys. Fehr says they are close to a deal but now this .....

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun
So, long story short, it's not good. Talks have broken off and who knows where the hell this goes now
Retweeted by Tim Sassone

This tweet was after Fehr's comments
- jhawk159

From get ready to drop the puck....back to cancel the season. Quite the ride today!! Tick tock...tick tock....the NHL inches closer to abyss!

So predictable that this would blow up.

Players side got greedy today IMO. Owners went further to bridge the gap this week than I thought they would, and now they've taken it off the table.

How's it feel to piss away over $1B in collective salary now, boys?

So predictable that this would blow up.

Players side got greedy today IMO. Owners went further to bridge the gap this week than I thought they would, and now they've taken it off the table.

How's it feel to piss away over $1B in collective salary now, boys?
- MartiniMan

Now Bettman says he's taking all the concessions the league made off the table. The pissing contest continues. I love hockey but this league is a complete joke.

So predictable that this would blow up.

Players side got greedy today IMO. Owners went further to bridge the gap this week than I thought they would, and now they've taken it off the table.

How's it feel to piss away over $1B in collective salary now, boys?
- MartiniMan

WHOAAA...and the disgust and mistrust meter for both parties just blew off the charts.

@jenniferhedger: Bettman and Daly are furious. Join the club. I don't even know who the bad guy is anymore. The players r making the owners look charitable.

@tsnjamesduthie: Bill Daly: Player contract length is "The hill we will die on." TSN Panel: Westin Times Square is "The hotel we will die in."

@Real_ESPNLeBrun: Bettman says the Make Whole provision in its entirety as a concept is OFF the table.

>TSN Canada crew pretty much reporting the same info: many players want to vote RIGHT NOW, but Fehr won't allow it
>They also are questioning what Fehr is now doing by asking for mediators -- they see it as a big stall tactic
>Meanwhile, all the progress made by Burkle yesterday is being pissed on by Fehr
>Think the players better get control of Fehr or they are going to overplay their already losing hand -- and make $0 this year
- SnapitUpstairs

Interesting...

Interesting...
- Al

Is it up to Fehr to decide when the players vote and if it's not why are they listening to him just like the owners letting Bettman call all the shots.

This on both sides.

Neither can be called good negotiators - good negotiators get deals done that have to get done.
- StLBravesFan

Like I said Bettman was dealt pocket Aces and has remained in full control...Albeit with no settlement getting done but is that really Bettman's mission. All he has to do outlast the PA and not get upstaged...Done.

Fehr needed to be better and creative, that hasn't come close to happening.

Bettman's last move was genuis...Put a bunch a players in
a room versus many self made millionares and watch who comes out on top.

Bettman forced Fehr's hand and now there is no doubt there is more infighting on the players side.

Is it up to Fehr to decide when the players vote and if it's not why are they listening to him just like the owners letting Bettman call all the shots.
- jhawk159

Bettman has full backing of the owners...

Fehr on the otherhand is in a far more tenuous position.

Now Bettman says he's taking all the concessions the league made off the table. The pissing contest continues. I love hockey but this league is a complete joke.


- jhawk159

Why? That's not negotiating - that's an attempt at intimidation - "play by my rules or I'll take my ball and go home".

5 year max contract "is the hill we'll die on": why? Would 7 years be that much worse?

10 year CBA is hugely important: why? Would 8 years be that much worse? (Although this is one time I agree with Eklund: given past history in all leagues, players should want longer rather than shorter).

Of course, look at these from the players' side and you get to the same question: why not? 5 year max contract really much worse than 7? 10 year CBA really much worse than 8?

Is any of these differences really worth losing more games - seasons?

Screw Bettman, screw Fehr - screw two little boys who couldn't lead a Republican to a tax cut. (I know there's a Democratic counterpoint to this....).

Like I said Bettman was dealt pocket Aces and has remained in full control...Albeit with no settlement getting done but is that really Bettman's mission. All he has to do outlast the PA and not get upstaged...Done.

Fehr needed to be better and creative, that hasn't come close to happening.

Bettman's last move was genuis...Put a bunch a players in
a room versus many self made millionares and watch who comes out on top.

Bettman forced Fehr's hand and now there is no doubt there is more infighting on the players side.
- Al

Al, if Bettman's tactic leads to a CBA, I'll give him (limited) props.

Until then, I must disagree with you: his mission (and Fehr's) was to get a deal done - not to outlast the other and not get upstaged, losing more games (seasons) in the process.

Bettman may be winning his game, but it's not the game that was needed.

Two companies try to merge; the negotiators and due-diligence group try but can't reach an agreement; the companies go their separate ways - fine, a deal wasn't necessary. Fehr an Bettman would be good at that game.

Here, a deal is necessary - required - F and B have no clue, other than to beat the other with no guarantee of a deal.

Why? That's not negotiating - that's an attempt at intimidation - "play by my rules or I'll take my ball and go home".

5 year max contract "is the hill we'll die on": why? Would 7 years be that much worse?

10 year CBA is hugely important: why? Would 8 years be that much worse? (Although this is one time I agree with Eklund: given past history in all leagues, players should want longer rather than shorter).

Of course, look at these from the players' side and you get to the same question: why not? 5 year max contract really much worse than 7? 10 year CBA really much worse than 8?

Is any of these differences really worth losing more games - seasons?

Screw Bettman, screw Fehr - screw two little boys who couldn't lead a Republican to a tax cut. (I know there's a Democratic counterpoint to this....).
- StLBravesFan

Or our president to spend more money....there is the counterpoint.