Lockout

[JS©]

[pens_CT]

Old Don's latest letter to the players doesn't sound very optimistic at all. Wouldn't be suprised if talks break off sooner rather than later.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=409136

[SolidSnake]

We are destined to do this forever

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

There is no person in the sports world that I hate more than Don Fehr.

[pens_CT]

There is no person in the sports world that I hate more than Don Fehr.

If the players want to play this season, then they need to start pushing Fehr to make a deal. Fehr left on his own will not compromise and this will easily drag into next summer.

[penny lane]

if the pens stay out through december, i'll be able to buy better gifts! $$$ in my pocket is better than bettman's , et al.

[no name]

Oh well looks like no hockey this year. I can't believe Fehr is willing to risk these players losing a whole year of salary. Seems to me the salary they lose individually doesn't add up to what each player would lose over the course of the year.

I really wonder where these negotiations would be now if Fehr didn't start negotiating one month befor the season.

[MRandall25]

Let's wait and see what happens today before we get all emo and

[newarenanow]

Old Don's latest letter to the players doesn't sound very optimistic at all. Wouldn't be suprised if talks break off sooner rather than later.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=409136

His job is to get the best available CBA for the players, and the best way to keep the players united is to push some buttons and not make everything seem so rosey. I'm sure there is still a ton of work to do, and I still don't expect a CBA signed until mid December at the earliest, but I think Fehr is doing what he does best.

And just from all reports I've heard, the league seems more eager to start the season due to pressure from some owners, sponsors, and even the TV networks. So that gives the player union leverage.

Fehr is just pushing to keep the union united and fired up because they believe the league will cave on some thing.s

IMO, it sucks, but he is doing his job.

To me though, if this isn't fixed at a league level (not saying players should get some concessions), and a CBA is signed where the league will still unhealthy at the bottom, we will be going through this all over again 7 or 8 years from now. This is the time to get it right. I hope the league hangs in there.

[DelPen]

The only fix I see needed is the cap went up way too high too fast carrying the floor with it.

Some teams are just in abd markets and have idiots running them. The only well run team in a sub-par market is Nashville. The Isles misfortunes are their own doing, great market, horrendous managament and ownership.

[Sarcastic]

His job is to get the best available CBA for the players.

A lot of poeple say that, but I don't think that should be his only objective. If half the league goes broke or there ceases to be any meaningful competition, then that isn't good for anyone, including the players. I don't watch baseball at all, but many say that league is ruined. He has to keep it under consideration. Or maybe he really doesn't care what happens to our sport, other than just getting a good deal for the players.

I would insist the league goes away with the 28 age for FA and 5 year contract limits. That's too strict.

[newarenanow]

His job is to get the best available CBA for the players.

A lot of poeple say that, but I don't think that should be his only objective. If half the league goes broke or there ceases to be any meaningful competition, then that isn't good for anyone, including the players. I don't watch baseball at all, but many say that league is ruined. He has to keep it under consideration. Or maybe he really doesn't care what happens to our sport, other than just getting a good deal for the players.

I would insist the league goes away with the 28 age for FA and 5 year contract limits. That's too strict.

I think he is trying to push the onus back on the league to fix that via a better revenue sharing model.

[pens_CT]

His job is to get the best available CBA for the players.

A lot of poeple say that, but I don't think that should be his only objective. If half the league goes broke or there ceases to be any meaningful competition, then that isn't good for anyone, including the players. I don't watch baseball at all, but many say that league is ruined. He has to keep it under consideration. Or maybe he really doesn't care what happens to our sport, other than just getting a good deal for the players.

I would insist the league goes away with the 28 age for FA and 5 year contract limits. That's too strict.

I think he is trying to push the onus back on the league to fix that via a better revenue sharing model.

Problem is there are only five teams making a real profit. Good luck in trying to bleed more money from those five teams.

[MRandall25]

His job is to get the best available CBA for the players.

A lot of poeple say that, but I don't think that should be his only objective. If half the league goes broke or there ceases to be any meaningful competition, then that isn't good for anyone, including the players. I don't watch baseball at all, but many say that league is ruined. He has to keep it under consideration. Or maybe he really doesn't care what happens to our sport, other than just getting a good deal for the players.

I would insist the league goes away with the 28 age for FA and 5 year contract limits. That's too strict.

I think he is trying to push the onus back on the league to fix that via a better revenue sharing model.

Problem is there are only five teams making a real profit. Good luck in trying to bleed more money from those five teams.

That's not taking into account what they'll be making after the HRR split gets to 50/50

[Gaucho]

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris
The NHLPA is having a conference call with its executive committee and negotiating committee tonight.

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris
Donald Fehr says the NHLPA "has some things to consider."

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris
There's a chance CBA talks resume again tonight.

[offsides]

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris
The NHLPA is having a conference call with its executive committee and negotiating committee tonight.

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris
Donald Fehr says the NHLPA "has some things to consider."

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris
There's a chance CBA talks resume again tonight.

Could be getting close????................I hope.

[Gaucho]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun
Right now plan is for NHL and NHLPA not to meet again tonight, but perhaps reconvene tomorrow. However, told that could possibly change


Not sure what means. Change as in they'll meet again tonight or as in no meeting at all?

[MRandall25]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun
Right now plan is for NHL and NHLPA not to meet again tonight, but perhaps reconvene tomorrow. However, told that could possibly change

I wouldn't really read into anything right now, because everyone is saying something different. Some are going the gloom and doom route, others are just reporting the facts.

[MRandall25]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun
Right now plan is for NHL and NHLPA not to meet again tonight, but perhaps reconvene tomorrow. However, told that could possibly change


Not sure what means. Change as in they'll meet again tonight or as in no meeting at all?

Change as in "I've been told something. I don't know what is happening 100%, so I'm going to cover my ass."

[Gaucho]

[westside]

Yeah I've been surprised at all the negative stories on the meetings. I'm not saying a deal is eminent but the fact they continue to meet and are not playing the PR game is a step in the right direction at least.

[MRandall25]

Better than that Russo guy from Minnesota who thinks everything that's happening is bad and no good can come out of anything, then claims "sources" say nothing is going well, even though he's the only one getting these "sources"...

Seriously, he looks like the only person covering this who "knows" how talks went before anyone says anything. Much more inclined to believe someone who doesn't write for a local paper.

[Gaucho]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun
Source from talks says no real progress today...

[Gaucho]

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris
Gary Bettman says NHL is waiting to hear from union on when talks will resume.

[Gaucho]

Michael Russo ‏@Russostrib
Sources: #NHL perplexed #NHLPA did not inform players they are willing to go 50/50 and "Make Whole" every cent + interest by Year 3