33 replies to this topic

[Masked Fan]

Arbitration isn't going away.

I wonder if they will try to change to baseball-style arbitration where the team names a number, the player names a number, and the arbitrator selects one of those numbers. In hockey, the arbitrator can award anything within the range that the team and player pick, leading players to ask for the moon and teams to ask for nothing.

I can see why the owners would want it gone, it really has only MOSTLY worked to the benefit of the NHLPA. And it would be "something" that the players could "give up" that won't hurt too bad.

That is an interesting point. It could definitely pull the players $ down to earth to benefit the owners, and still raise the players pay in probably the majority of the cases. As long as they made a reasonable request that is. So I could also see that as a negotiated "give" on the part of the NHLPA and the owners.



I'm gettin 'd a lot lately!

[Mitico12]

And when do the fans get the chance to negotiate? Players make too much, while the owners risk it all for them...something's gotta give.

[devilsfan26]

And when do the fans get the chance to negotiate? Players make too much, while the owners risk it all for them...something's gotta give.

It would be nice if we had some say but really we are just paying customers and these are labor negotiations. When do customers ever get involved in labor negotiations?

[ringtwins]

When the paying customers find the labor practices of a particular entity to be abhorrent?

[devilsfan26]

When the paying customers find the labor practices of a particular entity to be abhorrent?

Do you have any examples of when something like that gave customers the chance to sit down at the negotiating table with the employees and employers?

[Triumph]

When the paying customers find the labor practices of a particular entity to be abhorrent?

Customers vote with money. If the labor practices are abhorrent enough to drive business away, something changes, one way or the other.

[Devil Dan 56]

Customers vote with money. If the labor practices are abhorrent enough to drive business away, something changes, one way or the other.

This exactly. It's the only vote we have, really. And sometimes it actually gets used. Baseball was pretty sad after 1994.

[DevilMinder]

I am one of the 1994 baseball fans who left. Hockey is trying my patience if they do another lockout/walkout.

[Masked Fan]

I am one of the 1994 baseball fans who left. Hockey is trying my patience if they do another lockout/walkout.

I only started watching baseball again when McGuire re-up'd with the Cards for a discount when he coulda got paid elsewhere. Then was rewarded with RoidWars.

Now I only watch compelling games or boredom busters til September.

I can't lie and say a lockout would stop me from watching hockey when it returned. I'm an ice junkie and would be watching whatever game I could AS SOON as I could.

[hargsy]

I am one of the 1994 baseball fans who left. Hockey is trying my patience if they do another lockout/walkout.

I'm right behind ya, and its not about a lockout, its more about ticket prices and the cost to watch games on TV etc
I dont have to pay to watch Jet or Giant games

[NJDevs4978]

This exactly. It's the only vote we have, really. And sometimes it actually gets used. Baseball was pretty sad after 1994.

And then they needed Cal Ripken plus juiced balls/juiced players to get it back. While hockey never really lost 'any' steam after canceling an entire season.

Hockey is what it is, it doesn't have casual fans other than maybe the Crosby a**-kissers in Pittsburgh. That's why baseball can lose a World Series and it's like a bomb was dropped but hockey fans for better and worse stick by their sport. It's the only real advantage of having a much smaller base to begin with, it doesn't waver as much.

[Neb00rs]

And then they needed Cal Ripken plus juiced balls/juiced players to get it back. While hockey never really lost 'any' steam after canceling an entire season.

Hockey is what it is, it doesn't have casual fans other than maybe the Crosby a**-kissers in Pittsburgh. That's why baseball can lose a World Series and it's like a bomb was dropped but hockey fans for better and worse stick by their sport. It's the only real advantage of having a much smaller base to begin with, it doesn't waver as much.

I'm sorry but if they lockout again, I will not be able to watch hockey for the pure principle of it. We fans stick with this sport like you say, through thick and thin and we don't need to be sh!t on again. If there is a lockout, don't expect me back so soon.

[Masked Fan]

If there is a lockout, don't expect me back so soon.

So, you're saying there's actually an upside?

[Neb00rs]

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