NHL/ NHLPA Reach Tentative Deal

[rickvanr]

The NHL/ NHLPA have reached a tentative deal.

(CP) - The longest labour battle in the history of professional sports in North America is finally over. (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/2005/02/04/920681-cp.html)

All that needs next is for the deal to be ratified by both sides. Next question is, who will get Crosby?

[tobefirst]

Who'll get Crosby? My guess is somehow, one of the major markets will end up with him. Chicago, LA, New York? If he doesn't go there now, he'll be there in 3-4 years, I would guess.

Here's to hoping the St. Louis Blues get him! (; I'm a homer all the way!

It's good to hear that this is FINALLY about to end. Part of me really wants to not care and say "screw it" and not go to a game again...but I don't think that's the right way to act with something I love.

[dsharits]

It's about time! The players never should have resisted the salary cap in the first place, and we would have had a good season last year. At least there's going to be hockey this year, finally!!

[goodwill]

What's Hockey?

[stcanard]

What's Hockey?

A sport that's really exciting to watch.

Very much the opposite of baseball.

[MacNut]

A sport that's really exciting to watch.

Very much the opposite of baseball.Hey, baseball is the greatest sport in the world, no matter what the olympics say. :mad:

[MacNut]

I do wonder if figure skateing, :rolleyes: I mean hockey can survive a year off and then start back up again with the fan support. No sport has gone this long without playing.

[rickvanr]

Hey, baseball is the greatest sport in the world, no matter what the olympics say. :mad:

.. or what the rest of the world says.

[MacNut]

.. or what the rest of the world says.I didn't see many people upset in America over no hockey last year. It seems like Canada missed it more than the US. Japan is a big baseball country as well as central america.

[dsharits]

I didn't see many people upset in America over no hockey last year. It seems like Canada missed it more than the US. Japan is a big baseball country as well as central america.
I was upset. My team wins their first Cup, and the rug is pulled out from under our feet. It was very disappointing.

[MacNut]

Not to take this completely off topic but I thought the Olympics were supposed to showcase amateur talent. They have the NHL players drop 2 weeks of the season to go and they wanted MLB to do the same thing. I thought they didn't want pro athletes to compete now they do.

[rickvanr]

It seems like Canada missed it more than the US.

Uhhh, had you heard of hockey prior to the lockout?

I didn't see many people upset in America over no hockey last year. Japan is a big baseball country as well as central america.

Well did you see many Canadians, Europeans, Russian, or Eastern Asian countries upset about the Baseball strike? No (with the exception of some Quebecers because the Expos had a legit shot at the championship.)

[rickvanr]

Not to take this completely off topic but I thought the Olympics were supposed to showcase amateur talent. They have the NHL players drop 2 weeks of the season to go and they wanted MLB to do the same thing. I thought they didn't want pro athletes to compete now they do.

Aside from figure skating and boxing, I can't think of any other popular sports in the olympics that don't use professional athletes. This is of course excluding sports that have leagues that won't release them to play.

[MacNut]

The problem hockey is having is the same problem all pro sports are having, they expand to quick and cant afford to pay everyone overpriced salaries.

[dsharits]

Look, baseball stinks horribly because there is no salary cap. Because of teams like Boston and New York, there is no competition, and the league has no balance. When MLB decides to use a salary cap, I, along with millions of other sports fans will watch. Until then, baseball is still gonna rot. Don't get me wrong- I love the game of baseball. It's MLB and their $200 million/yr contracts that repel me. It's the salary cap that got the NFL where it is today, and it's the salary cap that's going to help the NHL. The NBA is in the same boat as baseball. The only difference between basketball and baseball (for me) is the fact that I don't like basketball to begin with. :rolleyes:

[MacNut]

Aside from figure skating and boxing, I can't think of any other popular sports in the olympics that don't use professional athletes. This is of course excluding sports that have leagues that won't release them to play.And we all know how well the United States did in basketball last year. The olympics are just like everything else, make money. The pro sports should be kept out of it so everyones seasons are not thrown out of wack.

[MacNut]

The reason why football has the best model is because of the hugh TV contract. They make billions off of the revenue. Hockey can't afford to offer such a rich TV deal because its more of a regional sport. I agree that baseball is out of aline with the players contracts, but look at the NY Rangers, they have the highest payroll in hockey and they are one of the worst teams. Its not how you spend the money its how wisely you spend it.

[dsharits]

look at the NY Rangers, they have the highest payrolls in hockey
Not anymore. ;)

[stcanard]

Not to take this completely off topic but I thought the Olympics were supposed to showcase amateur talent. They have the NHL players drop 2 weeks of the season to go and they wanted MLB to do the same thing. I thought they didn't want pro athletes to compete now they do.

Yup, but the US lobbied and got that changed years ago so they could use Pro basketball players and guarantee themselves another medal.

Kind of ironic how that one worked out.

[aloofman]

Not to take this completely off topic but I thought the Olympics were supposed to showcase amateur talent. They have the NHL players drop 2 weeks of the season to go and they wanted MLB to do the same thing. I thought they didn't want pro athletes to compete now they do.

Other countries have been using professionals in the Olympics for a long time. The U.S. started on that road with the Dream Team in 1992. The Olympics have dropped the pretense of having amateur athletes and now just claim to want the "best athletes."

[MongoTheGeek]

Look, baseball stinks horribly because there is no salary cap. Because of teams like Boston and New York, there is no competition, and the league has no balance. When MLB decides to use a salary cap, I, along with millions of other sports fans will watch. Until then, baseball is still gonna rot. Don't get me wrong- I love the game of baseball. It's MLB and their $200 million/yr contracts that repel me. It's the salary cap that got the NFL where it is today, and it's the salary cap that's going to help the NHL. The NBA is in the same boat as baseball. The only difference between basketball and baseball (for me) is the fact that I don't like basketball to begin with. :rolleyes:

And take a look at where my beloved Yanks are in the standings... There is more to winning than buying all the best players.

[stcanard]

Hey, baseball is the greatest sport in the world, no matter what the olympics say. :mad:
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I literally fall asleep trying to watch baseball.

[MacNut]

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I literally fall asleep trying to watch baseball.Thats why I watch soccer. :) It helps me sleep.

[stcanard]

Thats why I watch soccer. :)

Heh, I have trouble staying awake for soccer games too, but for different reasons. Those 3:30 AM world cup matches are killer!

[aloofman]

Look, baseball stinks horribly because there is no salary cap. Because of teams like Boston and New York, there is no competition, and the league has no balance. When MLB decides to use a salary cap, I, along with millions of other sports fans will watch. Until then, baseball is still gonna rot. Don't get me wrong- I love the game of baseball. It's MLB and their $200 million/yr contracts that repel me. It's the salary cap that got the NFL where it is today, and it's the salary cap that's going to help the NHL. The NBA is in the same boat as baseball. The only difference between basketball and baseball (for me) is the fact that I don't like basketball to begin with. :rolleyes:

If you compare the competitive balance of MLB to the NBA and NFL, baseball stacks up pretty well, despite the payroll disparities. It's at least as much about management as it is about revenue.

It's not that the league has "no balance". It's that the AL East has no balance because the Red Sox and Yankees are both in that division. That sucks for teams like Tampa, Baltimore, and Toronto. But there's plenty of balance in the other divisions, except maybe for the NL Central right now. Despite all that money, the Yankees have not won the World Series since 2000, beaten every year since then by teams with lower payrolls.

[MacNut]

except maybe for the NL Central right now. Despite all that money, the Yankees have not won the World Series since 2000, beaten every year since then by teams with lower payrolls.Don't forget the AL Central, The White Sox are running away with it, Sorry to derail the thread again. :o

Ok discuss hockey again.

[rockdog]

This is fantastic news! GO FLAMES!!!!

[MacNut]

Don't get your hopes up just yet because the players still have to vote on this. This is a tentative agreement.

[Santaduck]

Although this is good news, the damage is pretty irrepairable. Hockey is already being margianalized in mainstream US media, and both sides have to be careful not to start the beginning of the end with declining viewership, and therefore declining advertising revenue and clout.

Grrr.


I have to keep telling myself this is good news.

At any rate,
season ticket holders will be happy again.

[dsharits]

This is fantastic news! GO FLAMES!!!!
The Lightning will just clean the ice with them again. ;)

[rickvanr]

The Lightning will just clean the ice with them again. ;)

Come on now, every true hockey fan knows that was a fluke. :p

[dejo]

Come on now, every true hockey fan knows that was a fluke. :p

The fact the Flames made the playoffs? Sure. ;)

[dsharits]

Come on now, every true hockey fan knows that was a fluke. :p
Not with the Bulin Wall in the net. :cool:
And, of course, you can't forget the unbelievable play of St. Louis, Richards, Lecavalier, Fedotenko, Kubina, Boyle, etc. :)

[dsharits]

The fact the Flames made the playoffs? Sure. ;)
Oh man, I refrained from saying it, but you spoke my mind. :p
I didn't want to be too mean. ;)

[rickvanr]

No no, every true hockey player also knows it was a fluke that the flames made it past the first round :D

[dsharits]

No no, every true hockey player also knows it was a fluke that the flames made it past the first round :D
Hey, at least this year we will find out, won't we? GO BOLTS! :cool:

[aloofman]

Although this is good news, the damage is pretty irrepairable. Hockey is already being margianalized in mainstream US media, and both sides have to be careful not to start the beginning of the end with declining viewership, and therefore declining advertising revenue and clout.


I sadly agree. In the last couple years, only the ESPN TV deal prevented hockey from slipping to the level of arena football in the US. It used to be considered the fourth major US sport, but now no one can argue that it's bigger than NASCAR. They've lost a lot of casual fans that will be difficult to get back. I've been a hockey fan for 20 years, but I was seriously considering abandoning the NHL if they used replacement players.

I really wonder if they need some rule changes too. At some point they have to make the game more free-flowing to show how exciting and fast hockey can be. During the early months of the lockout, the local teams' broadcaster was showing "classic" games, which reminded me of how wild and run-and-gun the NHL used to be.

[evilernie]

Lets go De-vils! :D

[dsharits]

Lets go De-vils! :D
Not even touching that one. :rolleyes: ;)

[Onizuka]

The Lightning will just clean the ice with them again. ;)

Considering the league screwed the flames out of the game-winning goal in Game 6 of the playoffs? The lightning should not have won alst year. The goal their goaly kicked out after it crossed the line should have counted. Jerome Iginla was AMAZING last year.

Just like when Forsberg got screwed out of 2 goals by the refs in the playoffs against LA.

The Avs are about the best all-around team (when other lame teams aren't cheap shotting and injuring their players) out there. Hopefully we can get Forsberg (the best player in the world) back.

[dsharits]

Considering the league screwed the flames out of the game-winning goal in Game 6 of the playoffs? The lightning should not have won alst year. The goal their goaly kicked out after it crossed the line should have counted. Jerome Iginla was AMAZING last year.

Just like when Forsberg got screwed out of 2 goals by the refs in the playoffs against LA.

The Avs are about the best all-around team (when other lame teams aren't cheap shotting and injuring their players) out there. Hopefully we can get Forsberg (the best player in the world) back.
That was not a goal. It was off the ice, making it look like it was across the line. It got to the line, but it never crossed.

With Pavel Kubina on him, Iginla was a non-factor.
The real amazing player was Nikolai Khabibulin. Without him, the lightning wouldn't have gone anywhere. I though he should have gotten the Conn Smythe, but I was happy to see Brad Richards win it.

[Santaduck]

I really wonder if they need some rule changes too. At some point they have to make the game more free-flowing to show how exciting and fast hockey can be.

Definitely. Too much congestion at center, and too much dumping it in.

On that note I miss seeing Larionov & Makarov play together.

A rule change could go a long way toward increasing the appeal of the game.

Heck make the net bigger =x

[rockdog]

The fact the Flames made the playoffs? Sure. ;)

Well, first I will admit that I was suprised by their playoff run. That said, they played in more playoff games than any other team and went the distance in the finals. Sadly, all those games took a toll and they ran out of gas, but they had a legitimate shot at the cup, which is more than Flames fans have been able to say for years.

[puckhead193]

i'm happy because now i don't have to watch a losing team (new york rangers) any more i can watch the bruins while i'm at school. I need to place my order for tickets.

[rickvanr]

That was not a goal. It was off the ice, making it look like it was across the line. It got to the line, but it never crossed.

It's 50/50 whether that went in or not. I think it probably did go in, and yes I did see 'FOX Sports' 3-D reconstruction of it. Either way, it was really, really close and play should have at least been stopped then and there to look at.

With Pavel Kubina on him, Iginla was a non-factor.
The real amazing player was Nikolai Khabibulin. Without him, the lightning wouldn't have gone anywhere. I though he should have gotten the Conn Smythe, but I was happy to see Brad Richards win it.

Iginla was the best player, without a doubt. I wasn't that impressed by Khabibulin. He did his job, nothing more, nothing less. He didn't win games from the Lightning. A handful of other goalies could have played for the Lightning and it would have come out the same. If you take Iginla away from the Flames, you are effectively knocking a leg out from underneath them- he's that good.

[~Shard~]

Meh, whatever, the bulk of these professional athletes are a bunch of overpaid spoiled brats. I used to enjoy the NHL, but now there are too many teams, the talent is too diluted, and the season is too long - there are too many games, which basically render them meaningless. The Playoffs is the only time I would watch, when the true good teams are playing and each game actually means something. But having hockey from August until June, give me a break. I used to enjoy hockey, but not anymore - I'll tune in for the Conference finals and the Stanley Cup, that's about it. That's why I prefer football. Shorter seasons, fewer teams, and each game actually means something as far as the team's record goes. But, to each his own! :cool:

[Peyote]

I really wonder if they need some rule changes too. At some point they have to make the game more free-flowing to show how exciting and fast hockey can be. During the early months of the lockout, the local teams' broadcaster was showing "classic" games, which reminded me of how wild and run-and-gun the NHL used to be.


The rule changes for next season are already in place. The Two line passes will be allowed. The other team doesn't have to touch the puck in order for the Ref to call icing on you. Goalie Gear will be cut back. There may be others, but I'm not sure

[kjr39]

YAWWWNNNN.

Until they make the ice bigger, it is still going to be clutch and grab hockey.

[Peyote]

YAWWWNNNN.

Until they make the ice bigger, it is still going to be clutch and grab hockey.


Well that sounds practical :eek:


The rule changes should improve the speed of the game and result in higher scores. Two line passing opens up a lot o possibilities, as does smaller goalie pads.


Another rule change I forget about is no more ties. I'm pretty sure that one is going to go into effect as well. I think it works like this: Once there's a tie in the third period, you go to the standard extre period. If there's still a tie, you go to 4 on 4. After that 3 on 3. I'm not sure what comes after that though

[aloofman]

Meh, whatever, the bulk of these professional athletes are a bunch of overpaid spoiled brats. I used to enjoy the NHL, but now there are too many teams, the talent is too diluted, and the season is too long - there are too many games, which basically render them meaningless. The Playoffs is the only time I would watch, when the true good teams are playing and each game actually means something. But having hockey from August until June, give me a break. I used to enjoy hockey, but not anymore - I'll tune in for the Conference finals and the Stanley Cup, that's about it. That's why I prefer football. Shorter seasons, fewer teams, and each game actually means something as far as the team's record goes. But, to each his own! :cool:

Obviously it's the spoiled brats who make the headlines. You don't sell many papers by publicizing the third-string player who does charity work, but won't have a job next year.

I agree with you about there being too many teams, but the season has been the same length for decades. October until June.

[MacNut]

June is way to long to be playing a winter sport. I do like the idea of no tie games tho, bring back the shootout.

[stcanard]

I'm not sure what comes after that though

Shootouts.

I pray that this rule gets shot down. No ties, fine. Keep playing until somebody scores. But shootouts? Ugh. :mad:

[stcanard]

June is way to long to be playing a winter sport. I do like the idea of no tie games tho, bring back the shootout.

Of course almost every province in Canada still has snow (and ice) in some part of it in June. :D

[~Shard~]

Obviously it's the spoiled brats who make the headlines. You don't sell many papers by publicizing the third-string player who does charity work, but won't have a job next year.

I agree with you, but still, it is what it is...

I agree with you about there being too many teams, but the season has been the same length for decades. October until June.

Ah yes, I was counting pre-season as well. ;) As for the length though, I remember when I was younger (which is not decades ago! ;)) the Stanely Cup being held in May, with the playoffs even starting in April - I didn't think things ended in June like they do now. I seem to remember this being the case for sure in '89 when Calgary won...

[rickvanr]

Shootouts.

I pray that this rule gets shot down. No ties, fine. Keep playing until somebody scores. But shootouts? Ugh. :mad:

In regular season, I don't mind this, as long as each team still earns a point, and the winner of the shoot out receives an additional point. That being said, if they ever introduce shootouts into the playoffs, I'll snap.


The Yanks like the shootouts, I don't know why, but if hockey as a business wants to succeed they need something to draw the average joe know-nothing to the game. These average joe know-nothings are the same people who can't appreciate hockey for what it is, but somehow enjoy nascar racing.

[puckhead193]

i ordered my family pack for the bruins today :D

[clayj]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8574789/

Seriously, he ought to be kicked out of the NHL for what he said about Bettman... you may not like the guy, but some comments go waaaaaay beyond the pale.

[~Shard~]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8574789/

Seriously, he ought to be kicked out of the NHL for what he said about Bettman... you may not like the guy, but some comments go waaaaaay beyond the pale.

What a lot of class this guy has. Hmm, what was my earlier comment about a lot of professional athletes?.... :rolleyes:

[aloofman]

What a lot of class this guy has. Hmm, what was my earlier comment about a lot of professional athletes?.... :rolleyes:

Pretty selective of you! Several hundred other NHL players didn't say anything stupid today, but I guess the press didn't cover them.

I could just as easily say that based on your post, MacRumors members use the :rolleyes: emoticon a lot.

[aloofman]

Ah yes, I was counting pre-season as well. ;) As for the length though, I remember when I was younger (which is not decades ago! ;)) the Stanely Cup being held in May, with the playoffs even starting in April - I didn't think things ended in June like they do now. I seem to remember this being the case for sure in '89 when Calgary won...

You're right that Calgary won the Cup in May of '89. (Somehow I prefer to remember that the Kings eliminated them the following year, but I digress...) But the NHL made all rounds a best-of-seven starting with the '87 playoffs, so it's not because there were fewer games.

My hazy memory leads me to believe that there are a lot more off days in the playoffs now. I seem to remember that back then they played on consecutive nights if there wasn't travel needed, and sometimes even then. Now, like the NBA, it takes two weeks to play a best of seven series, rather than 9-10 days like before. Add up those extra days for all four rounds and it would end in May instead. But like I said, I'm just guessing.

[~Shard~]

Pretty selective of you! Several hundred other NHL players didn't say anything stupid today, but I guess the press didn't cover them.

I could just as easily say that based on your post, MacRumors members use the :rolleyes: emoticon a lot.

Fair enough, I just found it amusing that an example (yes, it is only one small one!) of what I was talking about earlier actually happened today. I understand where you're coming from though. ;)

You're right that Calgary won the Cup in May of '89. (Somehow I prefer to remember that the Kings eliminated them the following year, but I digress...) But the NHL made all rounds a best-of-seven starting with the '87 playoffs, so it's not because there were fewer games.

Ah, cool, I never knew that - thanks for the enlightenment! Yah, I remember Calgary because at the time my brother was a huge Flames fan and they were the closest city to us with an NHL team apart from Winnipeg.

My hazy memory leads me to believe that there are a lot more off days in the playoffs now. I seem to remember that back then they played on consecutive nights if there wasn't travel needed, and sometimes even then. Now, like the NBA, it takes two weeks to play a best of seven series, rather than 9-10 days like before. Add up those extra days for all four rounds and it would end in May instead. But like I said, I'm just guessing.

Actually, that makes a lot of sense as well. I never played close enough attention to see if that was the case or not, but you could definitely be right.

Again, thanks for the insight! :cool:

Oh, and just for you: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ;)

[rickvanr]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8574789/

Seriously, he ought to be kicked out of the NHL for what he said about Bettman... you may not like the guy, but some comments go waaaaaay beyond the pale.

Chris Chelios has been saying things like this for years now, he made similar comments in the '94 lockout. He's just a moron, like Jeremy Roenick.

[~Shard~]

Chris Chelios has been saying things like this for years now, he made similar comments in the '94 lockout. He's just a moron, like Jeremy Roenick.

Well, at least he's not afraid to speak his mind... ;)