SPECTOR: Get a dictionary

[hattrick]

Sorry if previously posted...

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/3469096

Don't look now, but the "s" word is starting to creep back into the lexicon of several pundits upset with those NHL players plying their craft in Europe during the lockout.

Yes, once again "scab" is being used to describe those players. While it certainly sounds nasty and makes for good headlines, it seems those commentators haven't consulted their dictionaries. We've touched on this previously, but it seems worthwhile mentioning this again.

In labor terms, a scab is someone who either refuses to join a union, an employee who works while others are on strike, or a person hired to replace a striking worker.

That doesn't apply to NHLers in Europe.

They've crossed no picket lines nor were they hired to replace striking players, and while some point out the NHLPA isn't an actual union, those who signed to play overseas belong to the association.

Another word hurled as an epithet against the players is "hypocrite", because they reject playing under a salary cap in the NHL, yet are signing up to play with lesser leagues where cap systems are in place.

If those players were signing there because they needed the money, the accusation would be valid, but it doesn't apply in most cases.

There might be some NHLers who signed with those leagues because they need the cash, but you'll be hard-pressed to find any comment from any of those players claiming they did it for the money.

For most, they signed with those leagues, not for the money, but to remain in game shape and to maintain the familiarity of routine that a hockey season brings them, something which is all they've known in their lives to date, while awaiting the end of this lockout.

Let's face facts, gang, if money were the true motivating factor, you wouldn't see nearly half of the NHLPA membership toiling in Europe or in the minors, considering how little most of them made this season in those respective leagues.

Perhaps a better word would to describe them would be "opportunists". Oh wait, that should be used to describe the owners of those European and minor league clubs who signed those locked-out NHL players, in order to cash in on the NHL's labor woes.

The critics say those NHL players are taking away jobs from lesser players who rely on those leagues for employment, and they're right, that's exactly what they're doing.

Funny thing, though, I don't recall those media critics getting so indignant when former NHL players like Corey Hirsch were taking away jobs from Europeans or minor leaguers over the past 10 years. Why no outrage then, folks?

The reason for that, of course, is because it doesn't sell papers or generate ratings. Few, if anyone, in the media gave a damn about Europeans and minor leaguers losing jobs to washed-up NHL players in the past. But because this time around it's locked-out NHL talent still in their prime taking away those jobs, it makes for sexier headlines.

Don't expect those commentators to be sticking up for those who'll continue losing jobs to former NHL players once this lockout is over.

Why aren't those critics taking the owners of those European and minor league teams to task for hiring locked-out NHL players? It's not as though those players stormed into the offices of those owners and demanded jobs. Their agents inquired and those owners were more than happy to sign them.

Where was the loyalty of those owners who hired NHL players at the expense of those players who'd worked so hard for them in the past?

The answer is quite simple: They did it because they could make a buck at the expense of the NHL.

So to sum up, it's apparently OK for those owners to hire locked-out NHL stars because that's just good business, but those NHL players who sign with those teams are scabs and hypocrites.

Welcome to Wacky World!

[rbdf]

I only have a problem with one of this writer's points, the whole corey hirsch thing.

Problem there is that in the past, you've had a couple dozen (at most) former nhl'ers stretching a couple of extra years out of a career that had ended for them in the NHL by going oversee's or to other leagues. This year you had some 500 guys storm those other leagues and push guys over there out of their jobs, and in many cases, their dreams.

Think about it. You're 18 to 22 years old, not good enough for the nhl, but you were able to make it onto modo, or spartak or some other Upper european league team in your native country. You realize that you're only going to get 4 to 7 years there, then you'll have to move on and get a real job.

Now, a bunch of the world's best players come rolling into town, and snatch that dream of playing there away from you. You can't compete with these guys, they're the elite, the cream that rose to the top and got scooped off for better use, and all of a sudden, they're back, in numbers, a flood of them. Now the best you can hope for is a demotion to a lesser league, where you'll steal someone else's dream from them, sending them back to their family and an exit from pro-hockey.

That's my problem with these guys. When its 12 to 24 ex nhl'rs spread out around the world, no big deal. When it's 500 swooping down all at once, pushing guys who are nowhere near the same level out to the streets, well that's just awful.

[CRASHER]

not to mention Corey Hirsch went there cause he was no longer able to play in the NHL Talent Wise and he went to the next available level in order to provide for himself and assuming others... you tell me the NHL player in Europe now who is using this money to put food on the table and more ? There's a big difference... that's like calling me a hyprocrite for taking another job after being laid off by my old company!

[Don]

Apparently the author of this article needs to get a BETTER dictionary. We've discussed this before and there are several definitions of "scab" that fit the players.

[Pezzer]

Let's face facts, gang, if money were the true motivating factor, you wouldn't see nearly half of the NHLPA membership toiling in Europe or in the minors, considering how little most of them made this season in those respective leagues.

Yeah? Then what would they be doing if it was about the money?

[SC Devs Fan]

Call them what you want, these guys are taking spots that they should not.

[hattrick]

Call them what you want, these guys are taking spots that they should not.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree, SCDF.