13 replies to this topic

[Hextall27]

Is anybody else about ready to stick Gary Bettman's head up Bob Goodenow's butt?

[Solodell]

I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with this hockey you speak of...

[fryer98]

I'm ok with the strike. This is the only way the Penguins had a chance to stay around .500!! HAHA.I've played hockey for 16 years, or so. Still play and coach 5-6 times a week, but haven't been into the NHL for years. I watch games here and there, but it became a bore for me to watch. I'd rather go watch a good HS game than what the NHL has been lately. Clutching, grabbing, etc, etc...I haven't read up on many of the issues, but the players need to realize they are not in the NBA, MLB, or NFL and can't make 6+ mil a year. Just can't happen. Too many teams around the league losing money.I wish MLB and MHL would look at the NFL and realize what they have done is the way to go (salary cap, etc.) and maybe they can have HALF the success that the NFL has had.Ok, I'm done BSing...Hextall, you play?

[Hextall27]

fryer98 said:

I'm ok with the strike. This is the only way the Penguins had a chance to stay around .500!! HAHA.I've played hockey for 16 years, or so. Still play and coach 5-6 times a week, but haven't been into the NHL for years. I watch games here and there, but it became a bore for me to watch. I'd rather go watch a good HS game than what the NHL has been lately. Clutching, grabbing, etc, etc...I haven't read up on many of the issues, but the players need to realize they are not in the NBA, MLB, or NFL and can't make 6+ mil a year. Just can't happen. Too many teams around the league losing money.I wish MLB and MHL would look at the NFL and realize what they have done is the way to go (salary cap, etc.) and maybe they can have HALF the success that the NFL has had.Ok, I'm done BSing...Hextall, you play?

No, I don't play; not much of an athlete, just a huge fan. Where's Imperial? I went to college in Western Pa. (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), have friends in the Pittsburgh Area and family in Armstrong county.

[fryer98]

Hextall27 said:

No, I don't play; not much of an athlete, just a huge fan. Where's Imperial? I went to college in Western Pa. (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), have friends in the Pittsburgh Area and family in Armstrong county.

Imperial is next to the International Airport, about 15 mins WSW from downtown. I've been to IUP 8-10 times. Have buddies that go/went there. The Coney and I get along very, very well.

[Hextall27]

fryer98 said:

I've been to IUP 8-10 times. Have buddies that go/went there. The Coney and I get along very, very well.

Ahh...the Coney. Tuesday night import night. Now you're taking me back.

[jayistheman]

i miss it dearly... hextall and i have discussed this before.... i live at drexel for school, but occasionally when i go home to reading, i can catch a minor league royals game... not the same though

[fryer98]

At least Philly has an AHL team to go see. The closest thing to here is Wheeling in the ECHL. I'm actually heading to see Robert Morris University (small school like 15 mins from me) play tonight. It's their first year in NCAA D1.

[fryer98]

Hextall27 said:

fryer98 said:

I've been to IUP 8-10 times. Have buddies that go/went there. The Coney and I get along very, very well.

Ahh...the Coney. Tuesday night import night. Now you're taking me back.

From the Coney, straight to the hot dog lady, or to Sheetz. Then Sheetz for breakfast....and lunch....and dinner the next day.

[UglyJimStudly]

Hextall27 said:

Is anybody else about ready to stick Gary Bettman's head up Bob Goodenow's butt?

They're just figureheads, and each has the support of the overwhelming majority of the people they represent, so if different people were in charge we'd be in the same spot. Despite all the posturing, it's nothing more than greed all round that's most likely killed this season, and the same thing will kill at least half of next season, too. No matter what deal they hammer out, there can be no long-term profit in the league unless either (a) hockey suddenly catches on huge across the US, or (B) the league contracts by at least 2 and maybe as many as 8 teams. The former seems unlikely, so the sooner they get on with contraction, the better. There are just too many teams with low local fan support - and hence low gross revenue - dragging down the rest of the league.

[Hextall27]

fryer98 said:

At least Philly has an AHL team to go see. The closest thing to here is Wheeling in the ECHL. I'm actually heading to see Robert Morris University (small school like 15 mins from me) play tonight. It's their first year in NCAA D1.

I follow Penn State (I live about 45 minutes from campus). They're an excellent club team (ranked #2 in the ACHA right now.) College hockey is a blast!BTW, Sheetz was like another cafeteria to IUP students. I must have dropped two or three grand there in my five years. Those were the days.

[Hextall27]

UglyJimStudly said:

Hextall27 said:

Is anybody else about ready to stick Gary Bettman's head up Bob Goodenow's butt?

They're just figureheads, and each has the support of the overwhelming majority of the people they represent, so if different people were in charge we'd be in the same spot. Despite all the posturing, it's nothing more than greed all round that's most likely killed this season, and the same thing will kill at least half of next season, too. No matter what deal they hammer out, there can be no long-term profit in the league unless either (a) hockey suddenly catches on huge across the US, or (B) the league contracts by at least 2 and maybe as many as 8 teams. The former seems unlikely, so the sooner they get on with contraction, the better. There are just too many teams with low local fan support - and hence low gross revenue - dragging down the rest of the league.

That very well may be, but I think there is a reason they were excluded from the most recent talks. I think they are both huge egoists who are trying to outlast the other, not necessarily doing what's right for either side, and certainly not doing what's right for the fans.

[UglyJimStudly]

Hextall27 said:

That very well may be, but I think there is a reason they were excluded   from the most recent talks.

They weren't excluded from the most recent talks. They did stay out of the talks Trevor Linden initiated a few weeks back, because those talks were supposed to explore the issues rather than create a deal. When offers were on the table this past week, both Goodenow and Bettman were front and center.

Quote

I think they are both huge egoists who are trying to outlast the other, not necessarily doing what's right for either side, and certainly not doing what's right for the fans.

Don't kid yourself - Goodenow has the unquestioning support of at least 80% of the players, and Bettman is doing what at least 90% of the owners want (the only mild public dissenters are Mario Lemieux (Penguins) and Larry Tanenbaum (Maple Leafs), who have been talking directly to their players to try and find a compromise). If it was just Bettman and Goodenow who were holding up progress, they would've been dumped in November and the season would be on now. Screwing the fans has been a joint effort with a huge number of contributors.