JACKSONVILLE, Fla – I hate to say this but it is entirely likely that the only game they are going to be playing in the NHL is chicken. Just who is going to blink first, the owners or the players?
Let’s face it, this situation could have probably been guessing after the 2004-05 season was lost. The likely idea would be for the owners to try to ask for even more rollbacks on the last CBA. The players were certainly going to try and stand their crowd and get back whatever they could.
Then the NHLPA went and hired Donald Fehr.
Now I am not going to say if I am pro-owners or pro-players. I don’t have that type of mind that can understand all the mechanics of a proposed collective bargaining agreement. I’ll leave that to the talking heads on TV that do (and even more of them that don’t). I also know that it likely that getting a new CBA this year is going to be like crossing the Rockies on a bicycle. It’s not going to be easy.
Say what you will about Fehr. What he will do is fight for every last dollar for the players. That is a good thing to have in a person hired to represent your union. He did that for the baseball players, he will do that same thing for hockey. That is why I am worried about the upcoming season.
Most likely, you saw this coming a few months back when the league tried to establish a new divisional alignment and schedule. The players union rejected it because they, if I remember right, wanted to see a complete schedule. Because of that, Winnipeg remains in the Southeast Division for the upcoming season. If there is an upcoming season.
So, if you printed out your team’s schedule for 2012-13 and have road trips planned out, I’d wait on making those reservations just yet. If you have a minor league, junior or amateur team close by, might want to look at their schedule and see what dates work for you.
Because, if 2004-05 is any indication, that might be your best chance for hockey this coming season.
Contact Kenneth.Holdren@prohockeynews.com
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