[Joeiss]

Originally Posted by Typhoid

With the CBA ( collective bargaining agreement) getting both sides absolutely nowhere, we are staring a deadlock in the face. Possibly even the end of the NHL as we know it. Yes, they did it in 95 as well, and only played half of a season, but it is way more intense this time. ( or so the media percieves it)

I highly doubt we will even be seeing half a season, but there is always a possibility. As one Canadian reporter put it, the deadline is not September 15th, it is actually sometime in January (which is the halfway point in the season).

The players dont want a salary cap, because they are whiney b**ches who barely play any games for millions of dollars. Look at Lindross, he made somewhere like $5-6 million, and didnt even play 1/4 of a season, and he has the gall to say salary caps arnt needed. The Players put themselves in this position.

The NHLPA offered a Luxury Tax, a 5% rollback in player salaries and revenue sharing. This has been the best offer from the NHLPA, but Gary Bettman has allready said that they will no accept a Luxury Tax.

Some of them who defend against making less money, are willing to play in Europe, where in turn, they will be making, Yes, less money. So the point they are trying to get across is a little oxymoronic to me.

Who, Nash, Forsberg and Thornton? Making less money is always better than making no money. And these three players will thrive in the European leagues. Both Thornton and Forsberg have been injured by the rough styles of the NHL, and Thornton has complained many times about the interference and stickwork in the NHL. If there is no season, these three guys will light it up in European leagues, while making decent cash.

So i have a few questions to ask the sports minded of you.

First, do you think that the NHL will play ANY games at all this year, or do you think it will be a full lockout?

I think it will be a full lockout. This is because it is believed that if there is any type of a lockout, there will be several NHL teams that will have to drop out of the league. I know that the owner's have over $300 million set aside in case of the lockout, but I don't see how some teams will be able to function with a lockout, and regaining fans' interest in the sport after an agreement is reached.

Second, do you think this will be the end of the NHL as we know it.

Hell no.

Third, with the WHA ( World Hockey association) Starting up this year, will the hockey minded of you be watching this or paying attention to it to fill the NHL' less void in your hearts?

I will be watching this if it is the only alterernative. However, most teams still have to get their building plans worked out and stuff.

Fourth, if the NHL gets up and running, do you think any progress will have actually been made, or do you think they are just going to keep everything the way it is?

The NHLPA does not want a salary cap and the owner's do not want a luxury tax. If they somehow get past this, everything will be just peachy.

And lastly, if the NHL starts up again, do you think they will do what they have done so many times before and buy out the WHA teams thus resulting in more NHL temas where there dont deserve to be teams? Expansion shouldnt be in the NHL's vocabulary right now. They shortened the seasona few years back, and added teams, if anything, if you add teams, you add games.

I am pretty sure they only bought out WHA teams once. It was 1979 I believe. Winnipeg, Edmonton and Quebec were some of the cities that the NHL set up shop in. WHA thrived in these cities.... Too bad Winnipeg and Quebec lost their teams. And the NHL might expand, only because they would lose a couple of teams in the lockout.

EDIT: It just seems to me that the players are nothing without the fans, they wouldnt have money, teams or jobs here, and i feel like they are just giving us ( the fan) the finger. And it hurts. I would kill to be in the NHL. Hell, i would do it for free. They lost sight of what they wanted to do when they were younger and the all mighty capitalist dollar caught up with them. So they realised they can do what they love, and make millions,all at the same time ( which is why i respect Paul Kariya, he agreed for a $1.5 million contract, which is way less than what he took from Anaheim) and the fact they might have to give it up hurts them.

" What, oh no, i cant live off of $900,000 a year!! thats like scrap money!!!"

Let me tell you something, i could get more than enough people who would play in the NHL for no money. I could get list upon list of person who would pay the NHL for a chance to play. The players need to stop crying about it and be men.

I suck at hockey, hell I can't even skate. I would die to be in the NHL too, but that just wouldn't be good for the fans, now would it? I can't believe you are comparing yourself and your friends to the elite players in the NHL. The reason why they get paid so well is because they are awesome players. Who would you rather give more money too? The owners, or the players who actually perform for us?