You guys sound luke a bunch of Mary's. They did a great job with the playoffs and I expect the same for a season. Whiny little girls complaining about everything don't watch and don't come here with your negativity.

You guys sound luke a bunch of Mary's. They did a great job with the playoffs and I expect the same for a season. Whiny little girls complaining about everything don't watch and don't come here with your negativity.
- Tedge77

Please learn how to properly use apostrophes.

Damn, COVID might haved F***ed up OV's chances at breaking Gretzky's goal record

You guys sound luke a bunch of Mary's. They did a great job with the playoffs and I expect the same for a season. Whiny little girls complaining about everything don't watch and don't come here with your negativity.
- Tedge77

Because playing in a bubble in Canada is just playing and travelling across North America, you little girly men.

Because playing in a bubble in Canada is just playing and travelling across North America, you little girly men.
- Canada Cup

That makes no sense

Please learn how to properly use apostrophes.
- mjones242

Please learn how to eat me properly and keep signing those checks

That makes no sense
- Tedge77

Just because they did a great job in playoffs when they are in bubble doesn’t mean they can play any time soon.

Just because they did a great job in playoffs when they are in bubble doesn’t mean they can play any time soon.
- Canada Cup

If the players are responsible not like the morons in,the NBA they can start mid January

There will be no season.
- TJYTJY

Just because they did a great job in playoffs when they are in bubble doesn’t mean they can play any time soon.
- Canada Cup

Why not

If the players are responsible not like the morons in,the NBA they can start mid January
- Tedge77

What are you talking about? The NBA bubble was described as the safest place on earth. They avoided infections. And the 14 million Americans who ha e been infected are all morons?

As long as the virus is as widespread as it is, players are going to get infected or exposed to people who are infected. A season that requires full travel is pretty well impossible starting January 1. That’s why they’re looking at pushing it back to late February or March and that’s why owners are trying to dig more money out of the players.

Why not
- bird_dog_pa

Bubbles are safe. Travel, playing 14 games or so a night with widespread Covid is not. Why do you think they went to a bubble in the first place? Virus is worse now.

Bubbles are safe. Travel, playing 14 games or so a night with widespread Covid is not. Why do you think they went to a bubble in the first place? Virus is worse now.
- Canada Cup

Yup we are all doomed. Might as well blow up the planet. Get this over with.

Yup we are all doomed. Might as well blow up the planet. Get this over with.
- Angus4444

If the end result for COVID is a 28 team league I think it will have been worth it.
- OilyJay

Serious question:

Why do NHL fans hope for some franchises to die?

How would it being reduced to 28 or 24 teams make the game more enjoyable to you?

You'd still get 82 games a year (in a normal year, of course).

Whether the salary cap moved up or down wouldn't matter, as it's applied to all teams equally.

Sure, the talent level of the league would be slightly higher, but as Al Strachan points out, that just means less scoring.

Ticket prices wouldn't go down.

Beer prices wouldn't go down.

As a fan, you'd get to see fewer teams, and assuming that the weaker teams financially are also weaker on the ice, it means you'd get to see your team win fewer times in the regular season.

How does the elimination of Florida and Arizona benefit you as a fan?

Serious question:

Why do NHL fans hope for some franchises to die?

How would it being reduced to 28 or 24 teams make the game more enjoyable to you?

You'd still get 82 games a year (in a normal year, of course).

Whether the salary cap moved up or down wouldn't matter, as it's applied to all teams equally.

Sure, the talent level of the league would be slightly higher, but as Al Strachan points out, that just means less scoring.

Ticket prices wouldn't go down.

Beer prices wouldn't go down.

As a fan, you'd get to see fewer teams, and assuming that the weaker teams financially are also weaker on the ice, it means you'd get to see your team win fewer times in the regular season.

How does the elimination of Florida and Arizona benefit you as a fan?
- Atomic Wedgie

It doesn't. It serves as something for them to be a crusty C*nt about. If there was a reduction in teams they would find something else be a female dog about. That's how it works when you're a negative creep.

It doesn't. It serves as something for them to be a crusty C*nt about. If there was a reduction in teams they would find something else be a female dog about. That's how it works when you're a negative creep.
- glove_was_stuck

It seems to be an NHL fandom thing - you prove your superiority by going negative.

Like, why the frank do people hate Bettman?

Do fans really think that the lockouts were his idea?

Yup we are all doomed. Might as well blow up the planet. Get this over with.
- Angus4444

Yes because delaying the start of hockey equals blowing up the planet doesn’t it Clovis?

It seems to be an NHL fandom thing - you prove your superiority by going negative.

Like, why the frank do people hate Bettman?

Do fans really think that the lockouts were his idea?
- Atomic Wedgie

It has more to do with Jacobs but Bettman works for the owners. He's the face. I do appreciate how he's accepted that hatred. Thrived in it really.

It has more to do with Jacobs but Bettman works for the owners. He's the face. I do appreciate how he's accepted that hatred. Thrived in it really.
- glove_was_stuck

he's more of a heel than Vince McMahon

It has more to do with Jacobs but Bettman works for the owners. He's the face. I do appreciate how he's accepted that hatred. Thrived in it really.
- glove_was_stuck

I agree that Bettman is the lightning rod and is easy to hate. I even think there are times when owners push him to do things he thinks are dumb or may not serve the whole league’s interest. My guess is that pulling the plug on this season might be one. The prospect of losing more by playing is probably more of an issue for some franchises who are the ones pushing him. Others might be more worried by what not playing at all would do to negotiations with NBC about new contract. If NBA ends up playing and NHL sits because of some basket case franchises, I can’t see it helping.

I agree that Bettman is the lightning rod and is easy to hate. I even think there are times when owners push him to do things he thinks are dumb or may not serve the whole league’s interest. My guess is that pulling the plug on this season might be one. The prospect of losing more by playing is probably more of an issue for some franchises who are the ones pushing him. Others might be more worried by what not playing at all would do to negotiations with NBC about new contract. If NBA ends up playing and NHL sits because of some basket case franchises, I can’t see it helping.
- Canada Cup

I'm wondering if it is possible to have some franchises opt out - and run the league with less teams for one year.

Would the NHLPA agree to this?

Would the players who sit get paid?

Would this season count for their contracts?

I realize this is a bit of a crazy "what if", but hey, what else do we have to talk about?

It seems to be an NHL fandom thing - you prove your superiority by going negative.

Like, why the frank do people hate Bettman?

Do fans really think that the lockouts were his idea?
- Atomic Wedgie

I never wish for any franchise to die (with the exception of the Rangers; for stealing the Garden from the NY Americans and not letting them back in the league post war. They even stole their colors and their crest. So (frank) them forever. We owe that to Red Dutton.

But there are reasons to dislike Bettman. I'm not saying hate because that's too far for me. Commissioners are suppose to work for the benefit of the sport but Bettman really only works for the owners. But there is a lot of favoritism in how the league operates and specifically how Bettman treats different franchises. If you were a Devils fan you'd have list of reasons not like Gary...

I'm wondering if it is possible to have some franchises opt out - and run the league with less teams for one year.

Would the NHLPA agree to this?

Would the players who sit get paid?

Would this season count for their contracts?

I realize this is a bit of a crazy "what if", but hey, what else do we have to talk about?
- Atomic Wedgie

Gary buying vaccines was a fun discussion for a few days. Maybe he could get it just for the at risk players; old guys like Weber

Gary buying vaccines was a fun discussion for a few days. Maybe he could get it just for the at risk players; old guys like Weber
- Canada Cup

Or obese players like Kessel.