Hahaha.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/all/Molson+Coors+beats+expectations+profit+increases+US197/7511777/story.html#ixzz2Bag3Jm6F

Quote :

""Whether it's people not actually physically going to the venues and consuming there, consuming in venues around the outlet before that, or indeed having NHL sort of parties at home, all of those occasions have disappeared off the map and you just can't replicate them," CEO Peter Swinburn said in an interview Wednesday. ... Swinburn said that once the lockout ends, Molson Coors will seek financial compensation from the league over the negative impact that a lack of games has had on the hockey league sponsor. "There will be some redress for us as a result of this. I can't quantify that and I don't know because I don't know the scale of how long the lockout is going to last." "

11/8/2012 3:33:57 PM

Quote :

" You know the story reported in good faith all week by journalists covering the owners’ lockout, that the league would be willing to withdraw most, if not all, of its proposed freedom restrictions other than the one on front-loaded contracts if the players would agree to go 50/50? Well, it’s not true, not any more, if ever. For this from an individual in the room for Friday’s negotiating sessions and confirmed word-for-word by Slap Shots by a source across the aisle: “Near the end of the meeting, Don [Fehr] said to Gary [Bettman]: ‘Let me get this straight. Even if the players agree to every single component of the league’s economic plan, we still don’t have a deal unless we also agree to every one of your proposed changes to player contract rights?’ ” To which, both of our sources reported, “Gary said: ‘Yes.’”"

Super

11/12/2012 10:04:12 AM

bettman needs to go. This guy is so fucking terrible for the league.

11/12/2012 10:35:27 AM

For a more optimistic take http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/sports/hockey/nhl-contract-issues-are-final-hurdle-in-talks.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1&

Quote :

"But the two sides have made far more progress toward ending the lockout than is widely believed, according to a member of the union delegation who has attended the talks. “We’re basically there” in several areas, according to the union delegate, who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. "

11/12/2012 10:39:35 AM

^ I just don't buy it. They've been on the brink of having a deal for the Coyotes for 3 years to the point they're actively seeking to make a city go bankrupt and attempting to subvert contract law. In the context of that, how can you take anything these dipshits put out at face value?

Quote :

"bettman needs to go. This guy is so fucking terrible for the league."

Yes, but the owners that back this need to go too. And they won't.

[Edited on November 12, 2012 at 7:48 PM. Reason : /]

11/12/2012 7:28:56 PM

bttt

Steve Burton (sports anchor out of Boston) is reporting that significant progress has been made towards salvaging the hockey season. Twitter is blowing up about it, just search his name. No clue why he would have the most recent info, but hey, just thought I'd pass it along.

12/3/2012 10:48:21 PM

There's really no reason to believe him, but it is kind of weird. Highly respected reporter, has broken big news in the past, and none of the big NHL reporters (Dreger, McKenzie, etc) are saying a peep on Twitter tonight. I still doubt he's got a real scoop here, but there does seem like something strange is afoot.

12/3/2012 11:49:36 PM

The best part about Twitter blowing up last night was all the clearly fake tweets in regards to "Other Anonymous Sources" and players supposedly already flying back to the US from Europe. Gotta love those trash accounts of dudes trying so, so hard to "break" news with a lucky guess.

12/4/2012 11:15:01 AM

If the player/owner talks today don't make significant progress, they need to just put this season out of its misery. People, whether it be players/fans/employees who rely on the NHL, tend to value certainty over a few short-lived weeks of grandstanding by the NHL and NHLPA.

12/4/2012 11:25:55 AM

Quote :

"Good signs: Daly, Steve Fehr stand side by side, say progress is being made, stay tight-lipped about details, say talks will continue."

TOMORROW.

12/5/2012 12:08:29 AM

Quote :

"Darren Dreger ?@DarrenDreger Steve Fehr says it was a constructive day in some ways best day they've had. Daly says appreciate efforts of the players. Will meet tomorrow"

12/5/2012 12:27:17 AM

I doubt today is the day any announcement is made, but if things don't break down we will have a season by Friday. I'd guess a week of Christmas start. God I miss hockey.

I'm one of those fans that will return to the game day 1.

12/5/2012 8:15:25 AM

No chance I buy Center Ice again this year if there is a season

12/5/2012 8:18:23 AM

Quote :

"Former player Nick Kypreos, a Sportsnet broadcaster and staunch supporter of the NHLPA in labour negotations, says NHL commissioner Gary Bettman wants a deal done to end the NHL lockout by Friday. “Apparently Gary is ready to get a deal done,” Kypreos said. “He wants this thing done Friday. Friday!” On Sportsnet’s Hockey Central show, Kypreos debated the issues withtwo other NHL insiders, former NHL GM Doug MacLean and sportscaster Daren Millard. MacLean said that six weeks ago, he heard the NHL’s position, that “it is knock ‘em down, drag ‘em out until December 1st, and then at December 1st we’re getting a deal done.” “So there are no drop dead dates,” Kypreos said in regards to the season. “They’re going to play. … They can’t afford not to play.” MacLean said there had been great progress in Tuesday’s talks between the players and the owners. “The owners are saying they’re going to be flexible and the players are saying they’re going to be flexible.” Rumours are circulating that coaches are now calling players, telling them to be ready for training camp on Dec. 14, MacLean and Kypreos said. The players are being told to, “Be ready!” Kypreos said."

12/5/2012 1:31:02 PM

I'll believe it when it happens. Until then, they can all go fuck themselves.

12/5/2012 2:03:42 PM

I'm apathetic for the time being and I don't see that changing at the drop of a hat because these clowns all of a sudden decided to get their shit together. I'm not giving them a dime this year, and I'll evaluate my desire to throw away money for future seasons as they come.

[Edited on December 5, 2012 at 2:47 PM. Reason : foo]

12/5/2012 2:46:58 PM

listen we can all huff and puff and be all pissy

but i think we are going to be thankful we missed the traditional nov-dec trip into the tank

12/5/2012 2:56:04 PM

^


if this goes through, we start where we'd normally be starting the season anyway, amirite

12/5/2012 2:58:12 PM

Quote :

"Renaud Lavoie on RDS: ''GM's are telling their coaches to prepare for training camps because this is getting resolved.'' Training Camp around the 15th-20th. Also talked about a 50-55 game season."

12/5/2012 5:07:24 PM

Can you link that?

12/5/2012 5:12:02 PM

supposedly there's been a cease and desist order regarding that communication

12/5/2012 5:19:28 PM

haha great

12/5/2012 5:20:10 PM

Quote :

"RT @DougMaclean: Counter now from NHL. Both sides working to get done by friday."

12/5/2012 5:57:54 PM

Quote :

"Pierre LeBrun ?@Real_ESPNLeBrun Warm and fuzzy feelings from last night are gone. Things are tense heading into tonight's meeting. Pivotal session that will tell the tale"

I'm trying to not get excited or worked up... social media has made this lockout ridiculous with the PR war and rumors constantly swirling. However, if a deal is ever done, I'll probably go apeshit. I'd like to think I'll make them pay with my wallet and whatnot, but dammit I'll be happy to watch some hockey.

12/5/2012 7:19:14 PM

this is fun

12/5/2012 11:21:00 PM

just got back from my own rec game actually. What's this #podiumwatch business? Just waiting for the meetings to end and the reps to address the media?

12/5/2012 11:59:03 PM

Hahaha, it's STILL the top trending topic. Basically, the media there tweeted that the podium was being set back up after being taken down earlier in the day, causing a big stir and many to come to the conclusion that there would be a big announcement tonight.

http://www.twitter.com/NHLPodium has almost 10,000 followers now. Hahah

[Edited on December 6, 2012 at 12:22 AM. Reason : holy shit, fixed that number]

12/6/2012 12:22:29 AM

Quote :

"Bob McKenzie ?@TSNBobMcKenzie PA doesn't like 5 yr term limits on contracts or 10 yr term of CBA or fact that Make Whole bump to $300M is tied to accepting 10 yr CBA. "

Come the fuck on. I really really really think all it will take at this point is for the owners to bump the contract limits to 7 years or something. If THIS IS ALL that stands in the way of a season and they fuck it up today, what the fuck.

12/6/2012 11:00:09 AM

I have a conspiracy theory that this entire lockout was orchestrated as revenge by Bettman and the owners to get back at the NHLPA who rejected their vaunted conference realignment plan all those months ago which had been Gary's baby and would have made the owners richer...

12/6/2012 3:35:09 PM

12/6/2012 3:41:16 PM

They've agreed completely on dollars now according to Fehr. Sounds like there's not a whole lot left to argue over. Contract issues the last thing remaining.

12/6/2012 6:48:52 PM

Fehr and the players suddenly coming BACK TO THE PODIUM 10 minutes later

12/6/2012 7:10:50 PM

Good night, sweet prince

12/6/2012 7:20:23 PM

12/6/2012 7:43:29 PM

who cares? No one misses pinball hockey.

Expand the ice surface and let skill back in the game and then i'll be interested.

12/6/2012 7:55:47 PM

THIS IS SO GOD DAMN FUCKING STUPID

12/6/2012 8:03:49 PM

FUCK

edit: this is fucking retarded. I just got back from dinner. How can the mood make such a 180 in less than an hour.

[Edited on December 6, 2012 at 8:23 PM. Reason : fack]

12/6/2012 8:18:31 PM

And here is why I've maintained this position:

Quote :

"I'll believe it when it happens. Until then, they can all go fuck themselves."

[Edited on December 6, 2012 at 8:32 PM. Reason : ]

12/6/2012 8:29:01 PM

NHL lockout explained by another Taiwanese animation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP24tFBZufs&feature=player_embedded#!

12/7/2012 10:23:52 AM

I have 3 hockey games on my Suddenlink cable:

Merrimack and Harvard just ended regulation at 2-2 on FCS Atlantic. When that's over they're heading to Minnesota-Colorado College.
Denver and North Dakota are at the end of 2 periods at 2-2 on FCS Central.
And Michigan Tech lead Wisconsin 1-0 in the 3rd on FCS Pacific.

12/7/2012 10:04:58 PM

Go Denver!

12/7/2012 10:43:19 PM

http://twitpic.com/bk8nv4

12/8/2012 4:31:57 PM

http://www.sportspickle.com/news/15013/gary-bettman-fires-nhl-network-president-over-drop-in-tv-ratings

Wowwww, maybe bettman is going insane, hitler style.

12/24/2012 9:32:15 PM

lol, you know sportspickle is basically another version of the onion right?

[Edited on December 24, 2012 at 9:36 PM. Reason : sorry if you knew this and were trying to get someone else.]

12/24/2012 9:36:08 PM

i miss you.

[Edited on December 27, 2012 at 9:38 AM. Reason : ]

12/27/2012 9:38:33 AM

Honestly I've gotten into hockey a LOT in the last two seasons. At first during the lockout I was looking for ways to stave off my cravings for hockey, but now I'm honestly just not that interested. I really didn't think it was possible for me to be as apathetic about it as I am. I was so fucking pumped to watch Semin and J. Staal on the ice just a few short months ago.

If there is a season, which I highly doubt at this point, the remaining part of the season will be an absolute bust. They're arguing over how they're going to eat a melting ice cream cone. Most casual fans won't go out of their way to fill in any seats or buy merchandise, but interest will slowly come back. Perhaps going in to 2013-2014, people will have had another offseason, draft, trades, etc. with the actual certainty of playing games come September/October.

I also work at PNC Arena, so my greatly diminished hours doesn't help my attitude.

12/27/2012 2:02:16 PM

NHL supposedly made a new offer today, moving in the direction of the Union on a couple major issues. Hopefully this is good news, I sure would like to see some hockey this year

12/28/2012 10:15:18 AM

^^ no one will care about the missed games because the shortened season will be so much more exciting. Now if they miss the entire season that's when you run the risk of losing fans as people select alternatives

12/28/2012 10:35:08 AM

The NHL didn't move on the "make whole" offer which is the biggest thing the two sides are fighting over besides the percentage split. There's no chance the players bite at this point. It's as bad as watching the Republicans and Democrats fight over the fiscal cliff.

12/28/2012 10:42:46 AM

I'd imagine that Fehr would be advising to keep holding out. Still, at least the owners are working in their direction, but they should have been that way from the get-go.

12/28/2012 10:46:41 AM