Everyone seems to be talking like it’s a sure thing

The NHL is so annoying though

Why don’t they start negotiations NOW ?
And get this thing done before we have to miss games
So dumb
- jdfitz77

Part of the problem is that the rest of the major sports leagues use the NHL as a trend setter for their own labor negotiations.

Damn. Yea thats a tough salary/term. But hes not super old and would be a big upgrade. I think he would fit in here nicely.
- MCGUIZZY

It would allow Risto to play less (even if we don’t get Dahlin too)...
which most think will help him

Carlson might not be “Karlsson”
but i think he’s a legit top pair guy

With the Cap going up 5-7mil,
my guess would be that the Caps find a way to sign him

Part of the problem is that the rest of the major sports leagues use the NHL as a trend setter for their own labor negotiations.
- buffalofan19

I don’t get how that prevents the NHL from trying to get this thing solved before they miss games

Don't get me wrong. He absolutely would improve this team. However, part of the reason he is scoring is because Washington's roster, both up front and on defense is miles ahead of Buffalo's. Erik Karlsson moves the needle. John Carlson not so much.
- buffalofan19

Sure...
but we don’t have the option to sign Karlsson (yet)

I don’t get how that prevents the NHL from trying to get this thing solved before they miss games
- jdfitz77

Both sides see a work stoppage as a potential positive PR move for their side

The negotiating pressure doesn't become real until 4 months before the end of a CBA

Work stoppages have now become normalized and accepted as the NHL modus operandi

It would allow Risto to play less (even if we don’t get Dahlin too)...
which most think will help him

Carlson might not be “Karlsson”
but i think he’s a legit top pair guy

With the Cap going up 5-7mil,
my guess would be that the Caps find a way to sign him
- jdfitz77

Oh absolutely. Im all for it. We haven't found any help for Risto since Myers was moved. Carlson would be a work horse here

I don’t get how that prevents the NHL from trying to get this thing solved before they miss games
- jdfitz77

Many of these owners own teams in other leagues. They're not just looking out for their NHL team's interest, but of the other leagues as well. If missing part of a season in the NHL gets them better labor deals in the other leagues, which are more profitable in >90% of cases, it's worth it to them.

Fitz is back ugh

Both sides see a work stoppage as a potential positive PR move for their side

The negotiating pressure doesn't become real until 4 months before the end of a CBA

Work stoppages have now become normalized and accepted as the NHL modus operandi
- jcragcrumple

Right... but i still think it’s dumb
And there’s an argument that it does more harm to miss those games than whatever “good” they work out in the agreement

And i don’t see how other sports leagues play into negotiations?

Many of these owners own teams in other leagues. They're not just looking out for their NHL team's interest, but of the other leagues as well. If missing part of a season in the NHL gets them better labor deals in the other leagues, which are more profitable in >90% of cases, it's worth it to them.
- buffalofan19

U think there’s a correlation to the NHL labor deals & other leagues?

I guess it’s possible, but even still...
They could get the damn thing resolved on time & still use that as a basis for the other deals (if that’s actually the goal?)
Seems weird to me though

Right... but i still think it’s dumb
And there’s an argument that it does more harm to miss those games than whatever “good” they work out in the agreement

And i don’t see how other sports leagues play into negotiations?
- jdfitz77

100% agree. It's just my opinion of why it keeps happening. The biggest factor this time is that this will be the final CBA (probably) for both Fehr and Bettman, and it's a rematch/grudge match.

Those two egos could easily lose a whole season

Fitz is back ugh
- GERBE!!!75PTS

It's a classy thing that he showed up for Wood's retirement press conference

Quit your complaining

Fitz is back ugh
- GERBE!!!75PTS

I’m one of the few on here who defend u
Check yourself homie

Right... but i still think it’s dumb
And there’s an argument that it does more harm to miss those games than whatever “good” they work out in the agreement

And i don’t see how other sports leagues play into negotiations?
- jdfitz77

Whenever there is a work stoppage in a league, the other leagues offer their own legal counsel both on the union's and the owners' sides. It's about trend setting. The more favorable the ruling for the players or the owners, the better chance the other leagues get that too.

I’m one of the few on here who defend u
Check yourself homie
- jdfitz77

Fitz showed up to Wood's retirement conference with this on

U think there’s a correlation to the NHL labor deals & other leagues?

I guess it’s possible, but even still...
They could get the damn thing resolved on time & still use that as a basis for the other deals (if that’s actually the goal?)
Seems weird to me though
- jdfitz77

See my post above. There's a reason the leagues share legal counsel in these labor negotiations.

100% agree. It's just my opinion of why it keeps happening. The biggest factor this time is that this will be the final CBA (probably) for both Fehr and Bettman, and it's a rematch/grudge match.

Those two egos could easily lose a whole season
- jcragcrumple

I don’t get why the owners keep bringing back Bettman?
The way the fans “boo” him every time is embarrassing
Fehr can go piss off too

NHL would be better off without them mucking things up

I don’t get why the owners keep bringing back Bettman?
The way the fans “boo” him every time is embarrassing
Fehr can go piss off too

NHL would be better off without them mucking things up
- jdfitz77

They're making money at a level that satisfies them. That's why.

Whenever there is a work stoppage in a league, the other leagues offer their own legal counsel both on the union's and the owners' sides. It's about trend setting. The more favorable the ruling for the players or the owners, the better chance the other leagues get that too.
- buffalofan19

Idk that it’s all connected as much as u make it sound?

Regardless...
the NHL is the only league that misses time
I just don’t see any reason it HAS to

Fitz showed up to Wood's retirement conference with this on
- jcragcrumple

I still wear my Bills #14 Fitz jersey proudly

I’m one of the few on here who defend u
Check yourself homie
- jdfitz77

Not you fitz haha lol

Ryan Fitzpatrick

It's a classy thing that he showed up for Wood's retirement press conference

Quit your complaining
- Stripes77

Oh ok my friends are texting me saying that the bills are signing him

Nvm then

Idk that it’s all connected as much as u make it sound?

Regardless...
the NHL is the only league that misses time
I just don’t see any reason it HAS to
- jdfitz77

I think there used to be a bigger pressure not to lose a whole season, or even a half a season, but that seal is broken.

That said, I don't see any major issues this time like the institution of a salary cap was in '03. But if the players try to dismantle the RFA system or if the owners go after guaranteed contracts, all bets are off

See my post above. There's a reason the leagues share legal counsel in these labor negotiations.
- buffalofan19

Ok...
but why does that mean the NHL needs to miss time as opposed to one of the other leagues?

Missing time just doesn’t make sense to me
It’s not like these issues are gonna suddenly sneak up on them
Share legal council NOW,
start hammering out an agreement

Not you fitz haha lol

Ryan Fitzpatrick
- GERBE!!!75PTS

I know!
Was just joking