Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bears vs. Bears, Read vs. Kopitar, Sestito Appeal

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Bears vs. Bears, Read vs. Kopitar, Sestito Appeal
- bmeltzer

thank you for your guidance during these difficult times of the NHL

Awesome. More NHLers taking jobs away from Europeans.

These rich, spoiled F&%$S shouldn't be allowed to play ANYWHERE while they're under contract with an NHL team. Especially players that already have millions in the bank, while the Euro player is probably struggling to feed his family.

I don't care if the owners locked them out. It takes two to tango.

Awesome. More NHLers taking jobs away from Europeans.

These rich, spoiled F&%$S shouldn't be allowed to play ANYWHERE while they're under contract with an NHL team. Especially players that already have millions in the bank, while the Euro player is probably struggling to feed his family.

I don't care if the owners locked them out. It takes two to tango.
- Powerslave

Thanks for your input

Awesome. More NHLers taking jobs away from Europeans.

These rich, spoiled F&%$S shouldn't be allowed to play ANYWHERE while they're under contract with an NHL team. Especially players that already have millions in the bank, while the Euro player is probably struggling to feed his family.

I don't care if the owners locked them out. It takes two to tango.
- Powerslave

1) In most cases, the roster moves made to accommodate NHL signings are done in one of two ways; a) a young fourth line player or healthy scratch is either re-assigned to their U20 team (if eligible) or loaned to a minor league club. If still junior-team eligible, the affected players often get to practice with the big club, even if they are not on the active roster for games. Either which way, he makes the same modest salary, b) the club releases an import player of lesser stature if it faces an issue with import limits. That often arises, anyway, if a player is underperforming or a higher-profile player becomes available.

2)Competition for jobs is part of the business, lockout or no lockout. The better players will always get room made for them. The only real difference here is that the already limited number of professional decreases further when the NHL is in a lockout.

3) You can't have it both ways. If the owners are locking out -- and, therefore, not paying the contracts of -- the players, why shouldn't players be able to work elsewhere on a temporary basis? I'm not sure why some think the players should be "loyal" to their NHL teams while being locked out or why some think they should not be playing hockey in "union solidarity". There are no picket lines here. It's a lockout, not a strike.

As for the lockout dragging on, I totally agree with you that it takes two to tango. I'm disgusted that it's Oct. 23 and both sides have done more PR posturing than actual negotiating as canceled games get missed daily.

As for the lockout dragging on, I totally agree with you that it takes two to tango. I'm disgusted that it's Oct. 23 and both sides have done more PR posturing than actual negotiating as canceled games get missed daily.
- bmeltzer

players are better prepared and informed this time and IMO are willing to cancel a season, once the winter classic is canceled the owners will cave OR there will be no NHL games for a minimum a year

thanks Bill for all the updates.

players are better prepared and informed this time and IMO are willing to cancel a season, once the winter classic is canceled the owners will cave OR there will be no NHL games for a minimum a year
- watsonnostaw

Let's all remember that All NHL OWNERS VOTED FOR THIS LOCKOUT

Awesome. More NHLers taking jobs away from Europeans.

These rich, spoiled F&%$S shouldn't be allowed to play ANYWHERE while they're under contract with an NHL team. Especially players that already have millions in the bank, while the Euro player is probably struggling to feed his family.

I don't care if the owners locked them out. It takes two to tango.
- Powerslave

They should have the right to go out and make as much money for themselves....On the other hand though i think they are being a bit whiny about the 50/50 thing.

They should have the right to go out and make as much money for themselves....On the other hand though i think they are being a bit whiny about the 50/50 thing.
- Philly1980

They aren't really whining about the 50/50 split. They're whining about having their existing contracts honored which is understandable especially considering the deals given out weeks before the lockout.

Let's all remember that All NHL OWNERS VOTED FOR THIS LOCKOUT
- phi1671

See my avatar and location

They should have the right to go out and make as much money for themselves....On the other hand though i think they are being a bit whiny about the 50/50 thing.
- Philly1980

Simply not the case. The players have agreed to move to a 50/50 split. There's just a difference of opinion in how to accomplish that.

See my avatar and location
- JoeRussomanno

1) In most cases, the roster moves made to accommodate NHL signings are done in one of two ways; a) a young fourth line player or healthy scratch is either re-assigned to their U20 team (if eligible) or loaned to a minor league club. If still junior-team eligible, the affected players often get to practice with the big club, even if they are not on the active roster for games. Either which way, he makes the same modest salary, b) the club releases an import player of lesser stature if it faces an issue with import limits. That often arises, anyway, if a player is underperforming or a higher-profile player becomes available.

2)Competition for jobs is part of the business, lockout or no lockout. The better players will always get room made for them. The only real difference here is that the already limited number of professional decreases further when the NHL is in a lockout.

3) You can't have it both ways. If the owners are locking out -- and, therefore, not paying the contracts of -- the players, why shouldn't players be able to work elsewhere on a temporary basis? I'm not sure why some think the players should be "loyal" to their NHL teams while being locked out or why some think they should not be playing hockey in "union solidarity". There are no picket lines here. It's a lockout, not a strike.

As for the lockout dragging on, I totally agree with you that it takes two to tango. I'm disgusted that it's Oct. 23 and both sides have done more PR posturing than actual negotiating as canceled games get missed daily.
- bmeltzer

Bill, you are one of the most knowledgable bloggers on here. However, anyway you slice it, by having NHL players going over to Europe or down to the AHL, or wherever, there's a trickle down effect. I'm sure that "young 4th liner" or "import player" would give his right arm to stay up with the big club.

Sorry, but I have no sympathy for these overpaid athletes. And, as more and more players sign overseas, there's less of a sense of urgency on their part to get this thing put to bed.

So Nashville /Philly finals anyone?

Bill, you are one of the most knowledgable bloggers on here. But, anyway you slice it, by having NHL players going over to Europe or down to the AHL, or wherever, there's a trickle down effect. I'm sure that "young 4th liner" or "import player" would give his right arm to stay up with the big club.

Sorry, but I have no sympathy for these overpaid athletes. And, as more and more players sign overseas, there's less of a sense of urgency on their part to get this thing put to bed.
- Powerslave

Like Bill said, competition is part of the business. Also it was the owners who locked out the players, who in turn were willing to play without a Cba. So because the owners want to feign poverty the players shouldn't be able to earn a living?

Like Bill said, competition is part of the business. Also it was the owners who locked out the players, who in turn were willing to play without a Cba. So because the owners want to feign poverty the players shouldn't be able to earn a living?
- JoeRussomanno

Actually, I have no sympathy for any of 'em.

And why shouldn't the owners be able to make a profit, or at least break even?!?! 60% of the owners lost $$$ last year. Salaries are out of hand. Is it the owners fault? Sure, it is. But the poor owner has to at least be able to keep pace with the teams like the Flyers, Rangers, Leafs, etc. (the teams making $$$ hand-over-fist), so he goes and signs the good player to the rich contract.

I think some of you on here will think differently of all this if Claude Giroux blows out his ACL while playing in Austria.

So Nashville /Philly finals anyone?
- JoeRussomanno

Im good for that!!

Like Bill said, competition is part of the business. Also it was the owners who locked out the players, who in turn were willing to play without a Cba. So because the owners want to feign poverty the players shouldn't be able to earn a living?
- JoeRussomanno

And what Pro athelete isn't overpaid? They're all overpaid. But because we think they're overpaid they should just give in and give up what they have? I love that logic. As if we were in their shoes we'd be willing to do the same.

So Nashville /Philly finals anyone?
- JoeRussomanno

I'm still bitter about them matching the offer sheet

I think some of you on here will think differently of all this if Claude Giroux blows out his ACL while playing in Austria.
- Powerslave

The irony of this statement is that an important Flyer has sustained a knee injury overseas.

I'm still bitter about them matching the offer sheet
- JFlyers00

Yeah He would of been a good pick up

The irony of this statement is that an important Flyer has sustained a knee injury overseas.
- BulliesPhan87

I agree but any Flyer that gets hurt is an important player

Actually, I have no sympathy for any of 'em.

And why shouldn't the owners be able to make a profit, or at least break even?!?! 60% of the owners lost $$$ last year. Salaries are out of hand. Is it the owners fault? Sure, it is. But the poor owner has to at least be able to keep pace with the teams like the Flyers, Rangers, Leafs, etc. (the teams making $$$ hand-over-fist), so he goes and signs the good player to the rich contract.

I think some of you on here will think differently of all this if Claude Giroux blows out his ACL while playing in Austria.
- Powerslave

Claude Giroux getting injured wouldn't change my mind about his right to go to Europe to play Hockey. The PA is negotiating with the NHL, not the individual teams. The NHL recorded record revenue last Season. And in the last CBA , revenue grew by over a Billion.

I agree but any Flyer that gets hurt is an important player
- Flyers_1488

What about Shelley?