Dear Mr. Bettman,
Or should I refer to you as Mr. Betting Man? Because the way you're handling the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Player Associations negotiations is making me feel as though you're a gambling man. With a little over two weeks until the deadline to put a new Collective Bargaining Agreement together very little, if any, progress has been made. If we remember back to the last time a new CBA had to be made, the result was the loss in an entire NHL season. I must say we can not let that happen again. The NHL is now the fifth most profitable league in professional sports after dropping behind Major League Soccer just recently. The loss of another season could be devastating to the league to the point of collapse.
With the loss of profitability though I can understand that you are not purely to blame for the reasons the negotiations aren't getting done. The NHLPA must also realize the loss and be able to take some cuts in the money the players are going to make. Which is why I completely agree with the lowering of the salary cap. Sacrifices need to be made for the success of the NHL's future. Flex needs to happen on both sides and negotiations need to get serious to avoid the loss of the NHL altogether.
If I was a believer in conspiracies like the NBA making sure the Knicks won the draft lottery so they could draft Patrick Ewing, then I would say quit putting Flyers players on the cover of EA sports NHL games because the last time that happened an entire season was lost. NHL 2004 Flyers Left Winger Petr Forsberg formerly of the Colorado Avalanche graced the cover and this year for NHL 13 Flyers Right Winger Claude Giroux was the cover winner. Ok, maybe that example isn't exactly a "conspiracy theory" but it sure is quite the coincidence if the entire season is lost like it was in 2004.
All I'm saying is don't let the true fans of hockey lose the sport twice in less than ten years because it will be a sad winter for all of us if we have to watch David "the crook" Stern's run NBA. A sad winter it would be indeed.
Sincerely,
Zack Hayes
Zach, it seems like you really know your stuff about hockey! I like how you used facts and stats to prove your points! I'm excited about your blogs because I know very little about hockey.
ReplyDeleteIll be excited to read your blog because I dont know much about hockey, and maybe ill learn something by way of your writing. Good job
ReplyDeleteI will be very disappointed if the hockey season is cancelled. I won't be able to handle watching just basketball all the time, especially a league run under David Stern. Good Piece.
ReplyDeleteGood piece Zach. Like myself with rugby and soccer, you know your stuff when it comes to a sport not necessarily in the "Big Three" I've always liked watching the Stanley Cup (even made a few bets myself!) so it will be dissapointing if I can't lose money again come playoff time...
ReplyDeleteI really thought about doing a blog on hockey since I played it for about 6 years but I'm glad someone will be keeping us informed. It seems stupid that there is another chance of a lockout considering how badly it crippled the league back in the early 2000s I can't believe any of them will be willing to do it again. The NHL has some exciting times ahead of it if they can figure this labor deal out. They have a lot of bright young stars and thanks to the L.A. Kings, hockey could become popular in southern areas. They can't afford another lockout, thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteGood work Zach, glad to see your passion and confidence for hockey. I'm a big Ducks fan and I also don't want to see the sport lost twice in less than ten years.
ReplyDeleteI'm only a casual hockey fan during the regular season, but I love the Stanley Cup playoffs and agree it would be devastating to lose the entire season. I like how you incorporated humor to make your point.
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