Those laws you speak protect the real working people in real life jobs. To even bring up this in a sports related arguement is completely wrong.
1) The laws to protect people rights do not include Personal trainers, First class Flights, Paid meals allowances bigger than some people weekly cheques, Insurance plans where the monthly cost is bigger than some people plans.
2) The plight of the hard done by NHLers are not comparable to the laws designed on the backs of child labour, Mine workers, Textile workers, construction workers.

Please do not ever try to put NHL players and Labour laws designed to protect workers in the same sentence, paragraph, story, book, thoughts, memos, ideas ever again. This actually makes your arguement worse than some of the NHLers texting and on twitter.
- longbottom

So you're saying that the Labor laws don't apply to Professional Athletes?

Is there a different legal system for Pro Sports? Is that special system the same one that the NHL filed their class action suit in?

So you're saying that the Labor laws don't apply to Professional Athletes?

Is there a different legal system for Pro Sports? Is that special system the same one that the NHL filed their class action suit in?
- MJL

Please just go away.

I thought for sure the Lindros and Leetch signings would put them over the top.
- sanfordnson

They traded for Leetch.

Lindros days were after the lockout, when everything blew up.

The Roberts, Newy, Mogilny days were truly awesome. It sucked it didnt result in a cup, but it was very enjoyable seeing these big guns come in.

Leetch, Francis, Newy, Nolan, Roberts, Belfour/Cujo, Mogily, Tucker....damn ....I miss the days my team was relevant.

Ived moved since and havent bothered to update. But yea, good try. L for effort.

Was an investment move, and one that paid off rather well.
- systemtool

I am not the one calling another place pathetic. Typically when someone makes derogatory remarks towards something, it is because they are insecure with their own situation. So I guess your efforts to blatantly insult a city for no particular reason is based on your own shortcomings. Psychology 101

For once I agree. And yes, Khabby is complete sh1t. It takes time for teams to turn it around though. It took Chicago and Pittsburgh a lot of time as well. But yeah, they have to turn it around very soon, or they're (frank)ed.
- laughs2907

To be fair, it didnt take those teams that long. They were playoff teams only about two years after landing their big picks in the draft, if im not mistaken. But those teams built around their stars with veterans. Something Oilers could use a little of.

That was all in concert with the current rules.

Back then, the UFA age was 30 plus years old. Not the mid 20's it is now.

Players wanted to play in Toronto in those days, dont fake the funk, but under the rules of that CBA all players reaching UFA status were older in years. True they didnt win a cup, but those were some damn fun and exciting years.
- systemtool

They also aquired one of the top centers in the game in a savy trade by Cliff Fletcher. Mats Sundin, as much as anything accounted for what success the Leafs had.

I am not the one calling another place pathetic. Typically when someone makes derogatory remarks towards something, it is because they are insecure with their own situation. So I guess your efforts to blatantly insult a city for no particular reason is based on your own shortcomings. Psychology 101
- ruttager17

Oh lord....

You're the kind of guy who shaves his pubes to convince himself he has a massive dong. Hey, all the power to you man.

To be fair, it didnt take those teams that long. They were playoff teams only about two years after landing their big picks in the draft, if im not mistaken. But those teams built around their stars with veterans. Something Oilers could use a little of.
- systemtool

Those teams sucked for years before they reached relevancy. It wasn't a case of, "oh bad year but we drafted Crosby now we're good yay!". It took a while. Same with Chicago. Wirtz just about killed that team. Hardly instant turnarounds.

They also aquired one of the top centers in the game in a savy trade by Cliff Fletcher. Mats Sundin, as much as anything accounted for what success the Leafs had.
- tincup

Dont forget the Dougie trade!

To be fair, it didnt take those teams that long. They were playoff teams only about two years after landing their big picks in the draft, if im not mistaken. But those teams built around their stars with veterans. Something Oilers could use a little of.
- systemtool

Pitt had 5 consecutive lotto picks and sucked ass with Crosby and Lemieux playing together.

Those teams sucked for years before they reached relevancy. It wasn't a case of, "oh bad year but we drafted Crosby now we're good yay!". It took a while. Same with Chicago. Wirtz just about killed that team. Hardly instant turnarounds.
- sanfordnson

The Pens made the playoffs 3 years after Malkin, two after Crosby, no?

Pitt had 5 consecutive lotto picks and sucked ass with Crosby and Lemieux playing together.
- robin_steele264

Well, you guys have had the same, if not more 1st overalls than them.

Also, Crosby was in the playoffs in his second year. You guys are still bottom feeders with no improvement. Not trying to knock the Oilers, but just trying to be honest about the situation.

Oh lord....

You're the kind of guy who shaves his pubes to convince himself he has a massive dong. Hey, all the power to you man.
- systemtool

You are the guy calling another city pathetic, I think we know who it is that shaves his pubes to make his Richard look bigger.

The Pens made the playoffs 3 years after Malkin, two after Crosby, no?
- systemtool

and before they drafted them? This is kind of the thrust of my point.

Dont forget the Dougie trade!
- systemtool

yup, two big trades brought the Leafs back from the dead. The big spending that followed for the next 10 years or so, really didn't make them any better.

Well, you guys have had the same, if not more 1st overalls than them.

Also, Crosby was in the playoffs in his second year. You guys are still bottom feeders with no improvement. Not trying to knock the Oilers, but just trying to be honest about the situation.
- systemtool

5 consecutive lotto picks.

2 of them turned out to be generational, superstar talents. Arguably best 2 players in the world.

and before they drafted them? This is kind of the thrust of my point.
- sanfordnson

They were poop.

And now after them? Which is the crux of my point.

5 consecutive lotto picks.

2 of them turned out to be generational, superstar talents. Arguably best 2 players in the world.
- robin_steele264

Well, yea, that comes with draftin top 3 overall.

You guys have had 3 consecutive 1st overalls, no reason to not see it as a fair barometer. Scored sweet with Ebs a steal at 22nd overall and just a female genitalia hair out of lottery with Gagner.

Well, you guys have had the same, if not more 1st overalls than them.

Also, Crosby was in the playoffs in his second year. You guys are still bottom feeders with no improvement. Not trying to knock the Oilers, but just trying to be honest about the situation.
- systemtool

Not true. Look at points totals from the year they drafted Nuge to Yak. Also look at PP, PK, GF/GA etc. It's not remotely true to say there's been no improvement.

Not true. Look at points totals from the year they drafted Nuge to Yak. Also look at PP, PK, GF/GA etc. It's not remotely true to say there's been no improvement.
- sanfordnson

Sorry, no significant improvement. You also cant deny the standings either, which isnt something you can just ignore.

Not true. Look at points totals from the year they drafted Nuge to Yak. Also look at PP, PK, GF/GA etc. It's not remotely true to say there's been no improvement.
- sanfordnson

Sorry, no significant improvement. You also cant deny the standings either, which isnt something you can just ignore.

Well, yea, that comes with draftin top 3 overall.

You guys have had 3 consecutive 1st overalls, no reason to not see it as a fair barometer. Scored sweet with Ebs a steal at 22nd overall and just a female genitalia hair out of lottery with Gagner.
- systemtool

well..since they had 5 years of lotto picks, Id say that gives us two more years for your fair barometer.

Sorry, no significant improvement. You also cant deny the standings either, which isnt something you can just ignore.
- systemtool

I didn't. im pointing out that there's a lot more to the situation. Points are points and standings are standings, and are always the ultimate gauge of success. not really news. But saying theres been no significant improvement is simply not true.

Well, yea, that comes with draftin top 3 overall.

You guys have had 3 consecutive 1st overalls, no reason to not see it as a fair barometer. Scored sweet with Ebs a steal at 22nd overall and just a female genitalia hair out of lottery with Gagner.
- systemtool

Christ you are dense.

You could pick 1st overall for 15 years and not get a Crosby or Malkin.

Hence the term... 'Generational talent'

It would be so funny to see how all the pro-owner crowd reacts if the PA ever does decertify. Free markets would not br pretty to a franchise like the oilers.
- Canada Cup

like justin schultz was?

and ud have to include the leafs in this assesment too huh?
actually i take it back, uve been able to lure such highly sought after big name free agents as jeff finger, jason blake and tim connolly.
a free agent hot spot unlike any other