The players knew they were going to be giving up alot again. Their strategy was to delay the start of talks as long as possible and call out the owners to see if they would lockout/cancel the season again. It was really their only leverage.
- faceto27

wait, what?

wait, what?
- muffin_man

Not difficult to comprehend

The players knew they were going to be giving up alot again. Their strategy was to delay the start of talks as long as possible and call out the owners to see if they would lockout/cancel the season again. It was really their only leverage.
- faceto27

Since that's the case we all need to accept what it is since the issues they are fighting about are complex and take time to iron out...Both sides could have averted a lockout if they would have worked on the major issues over the course of last season...Evidently that requires trust on both sides which apparently there isn't any...

Not difficult to comprehend
- faceto27

holding off talks was the only leverage the players had? how is that leverage???

Since that's the case we all need to accept what it is as the issues they are fighting about are complex and take time to iron out...Both sides could have averted a lockout if they would have worked on the major issues over the course of last season...Evidently that requires trust on both sides which apparently there isn't any...
- Flyfreaky

There was never going to be trust once the players hired fehr

Exactly. They could have started this 2 years ago and we'd still be here and both sides would probably be even more charged than they are now.
- muffin_man

I agree and disagree...If they couldn't have ironed out the issues over the course of 2 years then the real issue is that they both hate each other and will never come to terms...Trust is a huge part of these negotiations...

holding off talks was the only leverage the players had? how is that leverage???
- muffin_man

The owners want the season. By holding back on talks till the last minute you put more pressure on them to accept more of your proposals. The longer you hold out, the greater the risk of the season being lost. Yes, the players lose money too, but the owners can't really cancel another season. The NHL is already, and it would certainly cement the notion that it is a horribly run league.

There was never going to be trust once the players hired fehr
- muffin_man

True, but the players have never really trusted Bettmen either...

I agree and disagree...If they couldn't have ironed out the issues over the course of 2 years then the real issue is that they both hate each other and will never come to terms...Trust is a huge part of these negotiations...
- Flyfreaky

yup

There was never going to be trust once the players hired fehr
- muffin_man

They hired Fehr for the very reason as to put up an all out fight with the owners. he was hired to fight them. And he's the best in the buisness to do so. Hence the reason the owners have been trying to get him out of the negotiations.

They fear the Fehr.

The owners want the season. By holding back on talks till the last minute you put more pressure on them to accept more of your proposals. The longer you hold out, the greater the risk of the season being lost. Yes, the players lose money too, but the owners can't really cancel another season. The NHL is already, and it would certainly cement the notion that it is a horribly run league.
- faceto27

Even if you save the season this league is run and operated horrifically and will need at least, 20+ years of uninterrupted labor peace to shift that paradigm...

The owners want the season. By holding back on talks till the last minute you put more pressure on them to accept more of your proposals. The longer you hold out, the greater the risk of the season being lost. Yes, the players lose money too, but the owners can't really cancel another season. The NHL is already, and it would certainly cement the notion that it is a horribly run league.
- faceto27

Most people can't look past the lost salary for this Season and comprehend the full picture.
- MJL

Praise the gods you're here

Praise the gods you're here
- Rayven

Even if you save the season this league is run and operated horrifically and will need at least, 20+ years of uninterrupted labor peace to shift that paradigm...
- Flyfreaky

I think Bettman is gone after this CBA. Like you said, they need a long period of uninterrupted labour peace. The players don't trust Bettman. He needs to go.

- Flyfreaky

I think Bettman is gone after this CBA. Like you said, they need a long period of uninterrupted labour peace. The players don't trust Bettman. He needs to go.
- faceto27

It's evident that a lot of what's happening right now is founded in that truth...

- Rayven

There was never going to be trust once the players hired fehr
- muffin_man

You're right. There was never going to be any trust once the players decided they weren't going to roll over and let Bettman write the CBA for them. Fehrs tactics have pissed off the owners and annoyed fans but he had the overwhelming support of his clients.

- Rayven

Did you end the game to get the game to end the games that get the games going before all games end?

There was never going to be trust once the players hired fehr
- muffin_man

There was never going to be trust once Bettman cancelled the season last lock out. Thats why they hired Fehr.

You're right. There was never going to be any trust once the players decided they weren't going to roll over and let Bettman write the CBA for them. Fehrs tactics have pissed off the owners and annoyed fans but he had the overwhelming support of his clients.
- Canada Cup

So glad to see that there are people who understand this.

I think Bettman is gone after this CBA. Like you said, they need a long period of uninterrupted labour peace. The players don't trust Bettman. He needs to go.
- faceto27

Whether the players feel warm and fuzzy about Gary won't be a factor. Really depends how power shakes out w/in ownership group over next few years. Will league get back on big revenue growth again? Will bottom feeder teams start to make money? Those are Gary's issues going forward.

There was never going to be trust once Bettman cancelled the season last lock out. Thats why they hired Fehr.
- Gunslinger

Then none of us should be surprised by what's taking place right now...Without trust the world ends...

Did you end the game to get the game to end the games that get the games going before all games end?
- Gunslinger

um sure