35 replies to this topic

[Marshall]

Breaking on twitter now. Plans for 2012/13 on hold.

Did NOT see this coming.

[DevsMan84]

Good. The four conference idea is terrible. Just keep the six divisions, rename them back to the old names and add two new names.

[ThreeCups]

I had a feeling this would happen. All of the players interviewed about it did not seem to like it....

[Marshall]

NHL.com:

"It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a Plan that an overwhelming majority of our Clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including Players," said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. "We have now spent the better part of four weeks attempting to satisfy the NHLPA’s purported concerns with the Plan with no success. Because we have already been forced to delay, and as a result are already late in beginning the process of preparing next season’s schedule, we have no choice but to abandon our intention to implement the Realignment Plan and modified Playoff Format for next season."

"We believe the Union acted unreasonably in violation of the League’s rights. We intend to evaluate all of our available legal options and to pursue adequate remedies, as appropriate."

Those are strong words.

Edited by Marshall, 06 January 2012 - 07:29 PM.

[MadDog2020]

Wow- I don't think anyone saw this coming. I thought this would just be a formality. But I hated the plan anyway, so hopefully logic prevails now and they move Winnipeg to the west, Columbus or Nashville to the east, and keep the same alignment in place.

[Quinn01]

Good. I agree that we didnt see it coming and it would just get passed through but this is good. I didnt like the way it was going to be set up.

[MadDog2020]

Sounds like a lawsuit to me. Also, judging by what Daly said, it sounds like they will keep alignment the same for at least another year. I wonder if that means Winnipeg stays in the east?

[RowdyFan42]

I liked the realignment plans. But what is the PA's reasoning on this? If it's simply the first shot in another ugly CBA fight, the PA can go fvck itself.

[sundstrom]

Something for union to negotiate. Why give this for nothing when you don't have to?

[ohms law]

I just knew, as soon as I heard that Donald fvcking Fehr was made the player's union head, that this kind of thing was coming. Hang on guys, this is the first shot in a war that's going to take place for the rest of this year (I can only hope that it's actually resolved before the end of this year...).

[Anhkheg]

TG Tweeted that the players union has travel concerns. I think it may have more to do with the eastern divisions (I am speculating here, of course).

[Devilsfan118]

Bad omen for the impending CBA talks?

[ohms law]

LMAO @ "Travel concerns". What a crok. 3/4's of the reason that the league is doing realignment at all is to lessen travel!
What a bullsh!t excuse. But, it's par for the coarse with Donald Fehr. God, I was so happy when the MLBPA dumped his ass, and then the NHLPA ressurects him from the ashes. Ugh

Edited by ohms law, 06 January 2012 - 09:59 PM.

[MadDog2020]

Bad omen for the impending CBA talks?

Hopefully not. Because if these morons are dumb enough to even consider another work stoppage after what happened 7 years ago, then this league is done.

[thelastonealive]

Definitely a bad omen for the upcoming CBA talks.

I dunno, I wasn't hugely for or against the re-alignment, but you gotta feel for Detroit and Columbus, and to a lesser extent Dallas, Nashville, and Winnipeg.

And yeah, per Puck Daddy, Winnipeg stays in the east for at least another year. That's pretty ridiculous, but a straight flip-flop isn't that simple - you know Detroit and Columbus would fight tooth and nail over it. Honestly I think if they were to do it, Columbus should be the team moved. They may need it to survive.

[Triumph]

Hopefully not. Because if these morons are dumb enough to even consider another work stoppage after what happened 7 years ago, then this league is done.

There will be a work stoppage, and this league is not done after it happens.

Also not a bad play by the NHLPA, they're going to get run over in the next negotiation probably, at least they can carve out some things by doing stuff like this.

Edited by Triumph, 06 January 2012 - 10:07 PM.

[95Crash]

Ahh, sports labor negotiations ... gotta love 'em

[DaneykoIsGod]

NHL.com:



Those are strong words.

Maybe the league will fine the PA $3M, a 1st and a 3rd rounder.

[NJDevs4978]

Wow- I don't think anyone saw this coming. I thought this would just be a formality. But I hated the plan anyway, so hopefully logic prevails now and they move Winnipeg to the west, Columbus or Nashville to the east, and keep the same alignment in place.

You know, I might be a little more enthusiastic about this...or at least ambivalent if I didn't believe (know?) this was more grandstanding for CBA negotiations. At least have a real reason for rejecting it, this bs excuse is laughable and just proves all the more it's about the CBA. And that's a silly reason to reject something that would benefit both sides just because you want to flex your negotiating muscles, all it's going to do is make the NHL more intractable than ever.

Edited by NJDevs4978, 07 January 2012 - 12:16 AM.

[Neb00rs]

good. IMO they can have that alignment but need to seed the playoff teams by the top 8 teams in TWO conferences. Call it 4 divisions and split the divisions into two de facto conferences that only are maintained to provide a solid playoff format.