Thread: Another Lost Season?

Thanks MLA for the information.
As for the refund, they say I have to wait for the official notification of the canceled season.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Thanks MLA for the information.
As for the refund, they say I have to wait for the official notification of the canceled season.

Meanwhile, the Panthers make interest $$$ on short-term investments using YOUR season ticket $$$ for the initial investment.

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Meanwhile, the Panthers make interest $$$ on short-term investments using YOUR season ticket $$$ for the initial investment.

My buddy who is a Jets season ticket holder was out here last week, and filled me in on the details of season ticket holders there, and there are a few options. They could opt for a straight-up refund of any funds paid for seasons tickets with 1% interest from the date of the first cancelled game to the date of the refund. Or they could leave their payment with the Jets to be held as a credit towards future season tickets. Option B pays 3% interest, so that's what he chose. He said some teams were paying considerably higher interest, but couldn't recall which.

So depending on your team, you may have different options.

To all hockey fans --
I'm so terribly sorry that, although it has not been announced (nor will it be for some time), it appears that this season has been tossed in the trashcan. Some blame owners, some the players, and some the NHLPA (player's union) for this predicament. At this point, I don't think it really matters. The most salient fact I can point out to all of you is this: several weeks ago, the NHLPA offered to continue under the terms of the expired collective bargaining agreement. That's just about as good as "good-faith" bargaining gets. The owners refused this deal, which would have had the season begin on time whilst a new collective bargaining agreement was negotiated.
The major sticking points from the NHLPA perspective are these: honouring existing contracts and revenue sharing percentages.
As a case in point, the Minnesota Wild signed 2 players within 3 days this summer for a whopping $96 million USD. The NHL approved these contracts, making the Wild ownership liable for fulfilling the contractual terms for compensation. In mid-September, said ownership claimed that player contracts were bankrupting the Wild. Question: who forced management to tender those offers? Answer: no one.
Owners want to re-write existing contractual compensations -- in effect, get a Mulligan or a do-over in order to decrease their payroll liabilities. Players want their contracts to be enforced exactly as written.
Owners want the NHLPA to agree to a decreased share of hockey-related revenues (trading cards, TV revenues, and other memorabilia). Seven years ago the owners forced the NHLPA to accept a higher portion of hockey-related revenues in lieu of salary increases as a condition of the implementation of the salary cap. The owners did not foresee the explosion of hockey's popularity, and thought that their revenue sharing paradigm would save them money. This was a big-time fail. The owners thought of the revenue sharing paradigm as a form of deferred compensation, i.e. "We'll pay you later for what you are owed now."
NHLPA is not without blame, either. They want a shorter season (between 76 and 80 games as opposed to the current 82 game schedule), a mandated league-wide 3 week hiatus for the Winter Olympics, and other owner concessions which have not been made public yet.
Can the season be salvaged? YES! IT CAN!
How?
I don't know. I believe it can, but I don't think it will. The question now becomes "Who will flinch first?"
This is just a guess, but I think the owners will.
Many players have already found other jobs (Europe and the North American minor leagues), granted for a lot less than their NHL contracts pay them. Owners still have obligations to their arena owners, team operation staff, and front-office staff with absolutely no real income pouring into their accounts to pay them. In the long term, the owners stand to lose the most as it stands right now. Players will be hurt, too, due to the finite time-frame of their careers. Every season they don't play is money lost that they'll never have a chance to recover.
I'm so very sorry it has come to this. My suggestion for your hockey fix is to go visit your local rink or pond and watch the kids having fun.

Edit: talks are scheduled to resume Saturday, Movember 3.
http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/stor...-classic-cance

Sorry to hear that they haven't been able to reach any agreements about NHL. I understand your pain.
However, lockout there doesn't only mean players coming from there to Europe, but also lot of transitions between various European teams.
Now my home town team seems to have at least 4 players from NHL but also several new players from other European teams as well.

No national league this week as it has been a time for Euro Hockey Tour. So today me & junior have watched 2 games that were played here, Cze-Rus and Fin-Swe. (sorry Swedes )
And now it's time for the victory beer or two. Make it three.

Talks stalled. AGAIN.
NHL lockout: More bad news, as league digs in on new issue - NHL - Sporting News

NHL lockout: Sidney Crosby frustrated by owners' contract demands - NHL - Sporting News

Morale amongst league officials is low. Gee, does anybody wonder why? I'm placing this one squarely on the shoulders of the owners. If the owners were truly interested in getting a deal negotiated and playing hockey, they would accept the NHLPA's offer to start the season under the terms of the expired CBA whilst continuing to negotiate.
I can't wait for Lake Michigan to freeze so I can watch the kids from my toasty warm living room!
NHL lockout: Morale drops across the board amid cancellation reports - NHL - Sporting News

Gary Bettman wants a 2-week vacation. The nerve of that guy!
NHL lockout: Gary Bettman suggests to NHLPA that sides take break in talks - NHL - Sporting News

Meh, I've long since decided not to care any more about the NHL this season, and have also decided that even if they salvage some kind of season I won't be going to any NHL games. Playoffs maybe, but not reg season. Not even if the Jets come to town.

Right now I'm getting my hockey fix with the CHL (Junior hockey) and am watching the Regina Pats lose to the Vancouver Giants. So if you're a disgruntled hockey fan, don't forget that no NHL doesn't mean no hockey.

EDIT: 2-2 The Pats ain't dead yet
EDIT II: 3-3 Regina tied it with the net empty and less than 1 min left in the 3rd. Seriously guys, watch Junior hockey - it's great stuff!
EDIT III: After a shootout... Giants get the win.