Not sure why everyone hates Bettman, He just doing his job. if he wasnt, he would be here for his third lockout. Notice its the Union president that is different each time.

I have to NHL for trying. they are only party that is given and trying to reach a settlement. Unfortunately, this guy Fehr and NHLPA are fools.

NHL should just scrap the season after this and then REALLY FIX the league for once and for all. Eliminate the Rev Share complete let, Make Players salaried employees like it is in ever business.

This way, no player will ever think HOLD OUT again. Really make the realize it was huge mistake not taken the NHL offer b/c at end of the day it was more than FAIR.

Those problems would also exist in a regular season, if thats the case. Last time I checked, season ticket holders dont make the schedules and would have to adjust accordingly to fit their schedules in any given season. The problem you speak of isnt lockout specific. Its market specific.
- systemtool

Ummm ok. You don't think the lockout has hurt the marketability of season tickets in LA ? That they would have the same problems after lifting he Stanley cup in September vs January ?

I agree with a lot of your points. But this one is delusional. The lockout hurts season ticket holders in questionable markets more than the majority of other "fans".

Not sure why everyone hates Bettman, He just doing his job. if he wasnt, he would be here for his third lockout. Notice its the Union president that is different each time.

- Spartiarti

Different Union heads, but the same results each time. Lock outs and seasons lost. The one constant? Bettman.

Cared so much he scrapped the 2004-2005 season.
- systemtool

Again, the owners call for a lockout, not Bettman. No deal was in place and they were well into February 2005. It took time to get a salary cap in place. The league was not going ot be fixed over night.

Mets or Yanks fan?
- systemtool

Yanks. Not much of a baseball fan though. Was a rabid one when I was a kid but I grew out of it for some reason or another? Loved hockey as long as I can remember, thank God that's long enough to remember when the Islanders were who they were.

Ummm ok. You don't think the lockout has hurt the marketability of season tickets in LA ? That they would have the same problems after lifting he Stanley cup in September vs January ?

I agree with a lot of your points. But this one is delusional. The lockout hurts season ticket holders in questionable markets more than the majority of other "fans".
- Thesource

I think the lockout has hurt teams, but I dont think the lock out ending now should be a big deal to season ticket holders and how theyll be effected when the game returns.

Marketability is one thing, but you were talking about current season ticket holders and the impact a 48 game "compressed" schedule would have on them. If you had been talking about the lockout hurting teams ability to market/sell future season tickets, or to have current fans renew, then I would have agreed. But you didnt discuss that in your post.

Different Union heads, but the same results each time. Lock outs and seasons lost. The one constant? Bettman.
- systemtool

I don't fault Bettman in these negotiations. I don't think Gary will be telling 29 successful businessmen what they should be doing. Fehr has more influence over the players, these guys play hockey they are not in business and are not professional negotiators (that's why they hire agents). Both side are equally to blame here, I can't feel sorry for either of them. As much as I don't like unions Fehr is just doing his job and operating within the existing structure of labor negotiations. The sad part is that Fehr and Bettman's actions are depriving us of our sport.

Again, the owners call for a lockout, not Bettman. No deal was in place and they were well into February 2005. It took time to get a salary cap in place. The league was not going ot be fixed over night.
- PatC80

Not all owners are on the same page though. There is a divide among them, and to ignore Bettmans role in all this, and the advice he gives his owners, cannot be ignored or dismissed.

They lost a season and fixed nothing. For that, Bettman has to be held accountable.

split hairs much?
- Cptmjl

hes asking what is the number of games that makes the season not a joke?

IE if there was an agreement in november would a 72 game season also be a joke? 66 games? 62 games?

They lost a season and fixed nothing. For that, Bettman has to be held accountable.
- systemtool

Growth numbers would suggest otherwise.

I love baseball as much as I do hockey. Im shocked you dont like other sports, with all the teams at your disposal. Like the Giants winning the WS for example.
- systemtool

World Series? . NY does have an incredible array of sports and I've witnessed some incredible moments but hockey is the only sport I love. Watched the Yankees win a couple world series, been to Giants/Jets playoff games but nothing will ever compare to seeing the Islanders win a round or a cup. Been a while

I don't fault Bettman in these negotiations. I don't think Gary will be telling 29 successful businessmen what they should be doing. Fehr has more influence over the players, these guys play hockey they are not in business and are not professional negotiators (that's why they hire agents). Both side are equally to blame here, I can't feel sorry for either of them. As much as I don't like unions Fehr is just doing his job and operating within the existing structure of labor negotiations. The sad part is that Fehr and Bettman's actions are depriving us of our sport.
- DarthKane

If this were the first lock out, and Bettman/Owners didnt have a history of sacrificing games and seasons, I would be inclined to agree with you. Sadly, though, lockouts and lost seasons is just their leverage and ploy of getting what they want.

As for the bolded part, I agree 100%. I might seem pro PA, but im on neither side. My agenda is just to do my best to not let Gary off the hook in all this, because Fehr is already getting the heat he deserves.

hes asking what is the number of games that makes the season not a joke?IE if there was an agreement in november would a 72 game season also be a joke? 66 games? 62 games?
- LetsGoIsles

Thanks for that

I love hockey and will watch it but I really don't care if there is hockey

World Series? . NY does have an incredible array of sports and I've witnessed some incredible moments but hockey is the only sport I love. Watched the Yankees win a couple world series, been to Giants/Jets playoff games but nothing will ever compare to seeing the Islanders win a round or a cup. Been a while
- Cptmjl

haha poop, meant the superbowl.

I think the lockout has hurt teams, but I dont think the lock out ending now should be a big deal to season ticket holders and how theyll be effected when the game returns.

Marketability is one thing, but you were talking about current season ticket holders and the impact a 48 game "compressed" schedule would have on them. If you had been talking about the lockout hurting teams ability to market/sell future season tickets, or to have current fans renew, then I would have agreed. But you didnt discuss that in your post.
- systemtool

Yes I'm just specifically talking about season ticket holders this year, not in the future. I'll wait until there is a season to continue my arguement. But I guarantee if there is a season the season ticket holders will suffer more than most. Matthew Barry already explained this, I'm sure he will again if it comes to fruition.

I love hockey and will watch it but I really don't care if there is hockey
- Jays34

It only makes sense to love something you dont care about.

I love hockey and will watch it but I really don't care if there is hockey
- Jays34

in 20 words or less, contradict yourself....and go!

I love hockey and will watch it but I really don't care if there is hockey
- Jays34

Thanks for that
- Cptmjl

That's your boy

Yes I'm just specifically talking about season ticket holders this year, not in the future. I'll wait until there is a season to continue my arguement. But I guarantee if there is a season the season ticket holders will suffer more than most. Matthew Barry already explained this, I'm sure he will again if it comes to fruition.
- Thesource

Being a season ticket holder means that you commit to all the games, and when that schedule is released, you work your schedule around the teams schedule to fit in as many games as you can attend. I dont see how that changes just because the season is 48 games and not 82, even if slightly compressed.

I get the feeling that the counter offer will just be the same as last time
- PatC80

not sure. depends on the players who really do want to save the season. if they continue rolling over and letting guys like Chris Campoli, Daniel Winnick and Ron Hainsey drive this bus, this deal won't get done until the very last second if at all. but overall i think the PA still feels they have enough time left to pretty much reject this deal and wait for the NHL to come back to them in a week.

in 20 words or less, contradict yourself....and go!
- LetsGoIsles

You're the dumbest, yet most intelligent person ever.. Did it in 8 words.

Your turn?

not sure. depends on the players who really do want to save the season. if they continue rolling over and letting guys like Chris Campoli, Daniel Winnick and Ron Hainsey drive this bus, this deal won't get done until the very last second if at all. but overall i think the PA still feels they have enough time left to pretty much reject this deal and wait for the NHL to come back to them in a week.
- DoubleDown

66.66666667% of the players you mentioned, once played for the Habs.... Jus' sayin'

That's your boy
- Vukota

Gotta love him