Nobody, nobody is to blame. None of them care anymore, it is a
pissing contest. Even the players at the bottom of the ladder appear to
be getting sick of it. They are the ones who play hockey for a living
and not just to be a star.
Owners made it explicitly
clear that bringing Don Fehr into the room before a deal was officially
signed would be a terrible move. Players did it, they paid, not
literally. We paid, the employees of the stadiums paid, and the fans
played. Players said they wanted this, they wanted that, and they were
entitled to this. Some of it they are entitled to. But, as it is rarely
looked at "don't mix business with pleasure." Even throw another cliche
"don't mix work and friends." The players have done both, the Owners
have shown little emotion or sympathy. Which is bad on their part, they
should have a little sympathy for their 'money makers/seat fillers"
However
you slice it, it is a bad PR move on both sides, and a huge blunder by
the league in general. Also, those blaming Bettman as satan/jew/terrible
human being. He is all of those things and more, I am right there with
you (I've seen his Yarmulke). In this case he is only a messenger,
ordered by the owners as now he serves no real role in how to slice the
HRR. Scapegoat him if you want, but he isn't the one you want to
scapegoat. He was the problem in 04, because his emotions towards
Goodenow overtook the discussion during the work stoppage. Once he dealt
with him, everything went business as usual. In 2012/13 he has no real
purpose out there.
Players want 393 million from the
211 million offer from the owners. 300 million in the make whole
provision as well as a sturdy pension plan were the focal points.
Although we don't know much about what the players thought about the
Make Whole, as they lied through their teeth in the media address. The
pension plan was a backbreaker, because 20k difference between pension
in Canada and pension in the US meant a lot to people who amass well
over a couple million in their career.
Don Fehr has
been the No Man, Steve Fehr tried to do all he could. They should really
switch roles at this point. He won't, they won't, and the owners really
don't want to deal with a guy with a limited vocabulary of "no".
NHLPA
also chose some interesting people to oversee the meeting. Ron Hainsey,
Campoli, Crosby, Backes, and in their biggest mistake in the whole
lockout. Ryan Miller. A man who saw very little opportunity to succeed
in Buffalo made that city pay to keep him. Really pay to keep him.
Players
who are bitching about a 5 year max contract in UFA (7 for team
extension) should really pipe down. Yes, the owners shouldn't offer that
if they don't want to. The thing, is they don't have to. The players
hold the ball in their court when it comes to contract talks. They want
stability, and as we have seen in other sports (baseball:A Rod, any of
the Redskins roster 2 years ago, Beckham) those deals never pan out.
They don't help the club, they hinder it. The owners want you to earn
the money and earn your contract.
I have some optimism,
which is below 1% of the general hockey fan population. I believe they
do reach a deal, as the players are going to start calling for Fehr's
head. He is trying to get the best deal, but ripping down the bonds that
owners and players may have. They could've signed last night as the
deal was about half-way on all front. Something tells me Fehr told them
to hold out. (via @adater on Twitter).
Anger went to apathy went to excitement and is now in a no-man's land.
Greed is a terrible thing, makes people do terrible things and it should not have a home in Hockey.
Wake
up NHL and NHLPA, no mother or father wants their kid playing hockey
when they know the big stage is ran by kids themselves.
Here's to the World Juniors.
Sincerely,
A hockey fan.
Devon
Thanks
to @tsnbobmckenzie, @darrendreger, @jsportsnet @adater @reporterchris
@NikKypreos @helenenothelen @DougMaclean for all your hard work out
there.
Friday, 7 December 2012
Lockout post 3 [Archived] Nov 2012
In 2004-05, the NHL had their way with Bob Goodenow, according to
everyone. but down to the facts. Goodenow got a majority of what he
wanted, gave up a few things. Like a cap system, everything went hunky
dory for 7 years. Could've been 8 but both the NHL and players had their
knickers in a bunch and didn't want to play with the CBA in question.
So, 2004 all we really had to go with was TSN and whatever local paper
and news outlets could spoonfeed us. However; the 2 sides (although took
3 months) eventually met in private over a period of days and hashed
out a deal. The key, that 3 month break allowed for a lot of number
crunching and evaluating what both sides could want, could do without.
It was for all intensive purposes, a fair deal. Although 43-57 doesn't
seem fair. On top of what the owners provide for the players daily, it
is quite fair and reasonable. Players also made money through sponsors
and had a pretty open window to work with whomever they want in that
regard. Goodenow was capable of saying yes. Bettman was controlled by a
very different group of owners at a very interesting time for the US
economy.
Flashforward 8 years, we are spoonfed by the players what they think, owners don't speak, everyone scapegoats Bettman, you want to know the reality of it all, Bettman is told what to do by the very owners that pay these players. So, players bashing Bettman should be asking questions to their own owner. Instead of scapegoating people. Twitter also leads Athletes to think they know something about economics, again I bring up why are they bringing players to the bargaining table when they can't even use the correct form of their/there/they're. Players, spew venom. It does not go unnoticed by their club, fans, colleagues, and owners and in actuality really hinders the damn process. Enough apologizing to the fans players, if you wanted to play hockey in North America in the NHL you would communicate with your owner, or shut your damn mouth.
Now the owners, some may be former players at some level, but most of them look at their team as a business. Earning revenue and going about their day. These people apparently care about the game, to be honest they are trying to get the game going so they can get the hole in their wallet sewn back together. You know what, they are doing a damn good job. They are working on these so called economic issues (splitting 3.03 billion). Giving the players a majority of what they want. It just isn't the time I guess. Now they knock out games 1 by 1. Just cancel the damn season and work the damn thing out.
Now my biggest complaint, The media, whether it is twitter, facebook, TSN, ESPN?, Hockey News, everyone reports every little detail. Enticing someone from either side to talk before the negotiations.
STOP, on Wednesday, November 23 there was a buzz of optimism on the twittersphere that they could work something out. Some ass clown decided lets ask Don Fehr to bash the NHL and tell them what pieces of shit they are. Cause they will totally be willing to work after you metaphorically skin them on live TV. It is a game of he said, she said now. Something that never happened so publicly in 04-05. These fans the players say they care about, no longer care about the players or owners unless they are looking for a "retweet"
Oh, players by the way, you were afforded the opportunity to play the game you love, not the economics behind it. They own the team, they employ you, they pay you. It is how the rest of the world works, too. Please, quit trying to be a fortune 500 CEO, it makes you look more greedy than the owners.
Social Media is the fuel to an otherwise tiny fire, but at this rate it is becoming the Springfield Tire Fire.
I don't have an optimism for an NHL season this year, or next year for that matter. Because everyone involved thinks they have a say. Everyone thinks they know what is best. Everyone wants every fucking dollar of that 3.03 BILLION that lies on the table. Instead of splitting it, they are losing at at an astronomical rate. So, great job NHL and NHLPA.
Special thanks to the Media for trying to stoke every fire possible in regards to it.
It is amazing the power that technology has on something so much bigger than itself.
Regards,
Devon
Flashforward 8 years, we are spoonfed by the players what they think, owners don't speak, everyone scapegoats Bettman, you want to know the reality of it all, Bettman is told what to do by the very owners that pay these players. So, players bashing Bettman should be asking questions to their own owner. Instead of scapegoating people. Twitter also leads Athletes to think they know something about economics, again I bring up why are they bringing players to the bargaining table when they can't even use the correct form of their/there/they're. Players, spew venom. It does not go unnoticed by their club, fans, colleagues, and owners and in actuality really hinders the damn process. Enough apologizing to the fans players, if you wanted to play hockey in North America in the NHL you would communicate with your owner, or shut your damn mouth.
Now the owners, some may be former players at some level, but most of them look at their team as a business. Earning revenue and going about their day. These people apparently care about the game, to be honest they are trying to get the game going so they can get the hole in their wallet sewn back together. You know what, they are doing a damn good job. They are working on these so called economic issues (splitting 3.03 billion). Giving the players a majority of what they want. It just isn't the time I guess. Now they knock out games 1 by 1. Just cancel the damn season and work the damn thing out.
Now my biggest complaint, The media, whether it is twitter, facebook, TSN, ESPN?, Hockey News, everyone reports every little detail. Enticing someone from either side to talk before the negotiations.
STOP, on Wednesday, November 23 there was a buzz of optimism on the twittersphere that they could work something out. Some ass clown decided lets ask Don Fehr to bash the NHL and tell them what pieces of shit they are. Cause they will totally be willing to work after you metaphorically skin them on live TV. It is a game of he said, she said now. Something that never happened so publicly in 04-05. These fans the players say they care about, no longer care about the players or owners unless they are looking for a "retweet"
Oh, players by the way, you were afforded the opportunity to play the game you love, not the economics behind it. They own the team, they employ you, they pay you. It is how the rest of the world works, too. Please, quit trying to be a fortune 500 CEO, it makes you look more greedy than the owners.
Social Media is the fuel to an otherwise tiny fire, but at this rate it is becoming the Springfield Tire Fire.
I don't have an optimism for an NHL season this year, or next year for that matter. Because everyone involved thinks they have a say. Everyone thinks they know what is best. Everyone wants every fucking dollar of that 3.03 BILLION that lies on the table. Instead of splitting it, they are losing at at an astronomical rate. So, great job NHL and NHLPA.
Special thanks to the Media for trying to stoke every fire possible in regards to it.
It is amazing the power that technology has on something so much bigger than itself.
Regards,
Devon
Lockout post 2 [Archived] Nov 2012
3.03 Billion dollars, give or take a few thousand is what stands in
the way of an nhl season. Between a couple hundred people who were not
told by their parents how to share, or educated on logic and
understanding. As a Canadian, I feel the need to have hockey every
winter to help winter be more pleasant. It has been robbed from me and
the other 33 million people in Canada. Even the babies being born right
now.
Whether it is the NHL calling the players Cattle, NHLPA calling out bettman, the players name calling. It is not what is important. It has become personal, almost to a surreal level. "You won't give us that, well we don't want to bother." NHL responds "Okay, we should take a break and cool off" NHLPa " Haha, yeah that's what we need, is a break."
You know something NHL and NHLPA, you do need a break. You do need time off to give your god damn head a shake. Players are going to lose full salary. Which who gives a shit, they will find it elsewhere. Owners, have other shit to do, they may own multiple businesses or be dealing with personal matters. They don't lose a whole lot, that's why they are there. They own the company. The only people who lose from these childish antics are the fans and the employees of the various arenas, and merchandise stands. Fans lose on a grand scale, as they have nothing to watch, nothing to talk about, no rumors to watch, no thoughts and wishes about their team.
Those beer vendors who buy the beers by the tray just hoping to make 30 bucks on a tray lose, those seat checkers and security guards in the stands lose out. Rexall and arenas around North America (apart from NBA cities) lose out huge, as nothing big is going to happen.
A team like Winnipeg comes back to a city that was desperate for hockey since the Jets left, only to lay dormant as well. Fans have become a doormat, none of the players truly care about the fans. The owners know the big hockey markets will keep their fans so why should they care. Bettman is always hated, so why would this change anything.
You know what changes, players who didn't save shit are coming to the harsh realization how bad a work stoppage is. Those players aren't heard from. Because, the NHLPA takes the biggest, iconic players to the meeting. They might throw in a Westgarth just for fun. But, the only opinion the NHLPA has broadcasted wholeheartedly is Sidney Crosby. Why though? he has sponsors that are paying him well into retirement. It is not necessary to focus on him. Talk to the players who love the game, the players who know nothing but the game. Change your crew away from these stubborn greedy players and let it be. The only regular player who has been there with any economic knowledge is Mat Darche. Nobody else knows their ass from a hole in the ground, They go in there read the paper (maybe) pick out one thing, throw out the rest. Learn to cooperate and negotiate you Neanderthals. It is just downright annoying at this point that you have inexperienced greedy players unwilling to give one thing to the owners and take something in return. The owners came down to 50/50. Which was the biggest stipulation. Really, all you have to attack is the contract issues. Which if you sat down and actually had a back and forth instead of submitting an offer without talking to the other side, you may get somewhere.
One more thing against the players, Social Media and Networking is the dumbest thing you can do right now. You are not helping anyone by spewing how much you hate bettman, or your own owners who have locked you out.complaining about how you will not make your 3 million this year because of it. I got news for you, people are in worse shape. Those people also know how to share, have compassion, and cooperate in every day life. Something that was never taught in between your years of hockey playing.
Surgeries, flights, doctors, meals, hotels are looked after for you, as if you just have to go out and play the game you supposedly "love". Players keep you warm, paid, clean, dressed, and give you money TO GO OUT AND PLAY THE GAME YOU LOVE. They don't pay you to sit in a conference room and bash everything that is printed on an 8 by 10. Give me a break, stay playing hockey elsewhere then. I cannot go to my boss and demand 50% of whatever is in his pocket. Give your head a shake, they come down to 50/50 and you are too high on your horse to accept it over 22 games. Jesus Christ, you don't play 22 games you won't get paid for 22 games. If I don't work 10 hours in a week I can't go demand them. The world does not work like that.
Jobs, lives, money, and shelter for those who rely on a healthy persistent NHL season have hit the showers because the NHL and NHLPA cannot negotiate civilly.
So, NHL, NHLPA, Owners, Bettman, Daly, Fehr, Players. Fans of the game of hockey are no longer angry that you can't sort any of this out. We are embarrassed that you can't sort it out. We feel sorry that money is the most important thing in the world. Apathy doesn't even begin to describe it.
I'm sorry that the NHL has turned into the most greedy league in sports in over a century. This has become ridiculous, and really I don't care if you come back this year.
The game I love is getting torn in half by children, and children who have no ability to rationalize at that.
Best Regards,
Devon
Whether it is the NHL calling the players Cattle, NHLPA calling out bettman, the players name calling. It is not what is important. It has become personal, almost to a surreal level. "You won't give us that, well we don't want to bother." NHL responds "Okay, we should take a break and cool off" NHLPa " Haha, yeah that's what we need, is a break."
You know something NHL and NHLPA, you do need a break. You do need time off to give your god damn head a shake. Players are going to lose full salary. Which who gives a shit, they will find it elsewhere. Owners, have other shit to do, they may own multiple businesses or be dealing with personal matters. They don't lose a whole lot, that's why they are there. They own the company. The only people who lose from these childish antics are the fans and the employees of the various arenas, and merchandise stands. Fans lose on a grand scale, as they have nothing to watch, nothing to talk about, no rumors to watch, no thoughts and wishes about their team.
Those beer vendors who buy the beers by the tray just hoping to make 30 bucks on a tray lose, those seat checkers and security guards in the stands lose out. Rexall and arenas around North America (apart from NBA cities) lose out huge, as nothing big is going to happen.
A team like Winnipeg comes back to a city that was desperate for hockey since the Jets left, only to lay dormant as well. Fans have become a doormat, none of the players truly care about the fans. The owners know the big hockey markets will keep their fans so why should they care. Bettman is always hated, so why would this change anything.
You know what changes, players who didn't save shit are coming to the harsh realization how bad a work stoppage is. Those players aren't heard from. Because, the NHLPA takes the biggest, iconic players to the meeting. They might throw in a Westgarth just for fun. But, the only opinion the NHLPA has broadcasted wholeheartedly is Sidney Crosby. Why though? he has sponsors that are paying him well into retirement. It is not necessary to focus on him. Talk to the players who love the game, the players who know nothing but the game. Change your crew away from these stubborn greedy players and let it be. The only regular player who has been there with any economic knowledge is Mat Darche. Nobody else knows their ass from a hole in the ground, They go in there read the paper (maybe) pick out one thing, throw out the rest. Learn to cooperate and negotiate you Neanderthals. It is just downright annoying at this point that you have inexperienced greedy players unwilling to give one thing to the owners and take something in return. The owners came down to 50/50. Which was the biggest stipulation. Really, all you have to attack is the contract issues. Which if you sat down and actually had a back and forth instead of submitting an offer without talking to the other side, you may get somewhere.
One more thing against the players, Social Media and Networking is the dumbest thing you can do right now. You are not helping anyone by spewing how much you hate bettman, or your own owners who have locked you out.complaining about how you will not make your 3 million this year because of it. I got news for you, people are in worse shape. Those people also know how to share, have compassion, and cooperate in every day life. Something that was never taught in between your years of hockey playing.
Surgeries, flights, doctors, meals, hotels are looked after for you, as if you just have to go out and play the game you supposedly "love". Players keep you warm, paid, clean, dressed, and give you money TO GO OUT AND PLAY THE GAME YOU LOVE. They don't pay you to sit in a conference room and bash everything that is printed on an 8 by 10. Give me a break, stay playing hockey elsewhere then. I cannot go to my boss and demand 50% of whatever is in his pocket. Give your head a shake, they come down to 50/50 and you are too high on your horse to accept it over 22 games. Jesus Christ, you don't play 22 games you won't get paid for 22 games. If I don't work 10 hours in a week I can't go demand them. The world does not work like that.
Jobs, lives, money, and shelter for those who rely on a healthy persistent NHL season have hit the showers because the NHL and NHLPA cannot negotiate civilly.
So, NHL, NHLPA, Owners, Bettman, Daly, Fehr, Players. Fans of the game of hockey are no longer angry that you can't sort any of this out. We are embarrassed that you can't sort it out. We feel sorry that money is the most important thing in the world. Apathy doesn't even begin to describe it.
I'm sorry that the NHL has turned into the most greedy league in sports in over a century. This has become ridiculous, and really I don't care if you come back this year.
The game I love is getting torn in half by children, and children who have no ability to rationalize at that.
Best Regards,
Devon
Thursday, 6 December 2012
Rick Rypien Memorial [Archived 2012]
As I have written before, Rick Rypien has had a huge affect on the decision to talk about my anxiety.
Well, Justin (shitface) Bieber toured Canada recently, I think? Who cares,
Anyways a bunch of morons, one being named Simram Mann, or wolfram alpha or some shit.
Decided "OmG, I'm at biebs, I want his half hard, bald penis inside of me, while he high pitch squeals his way to an orgasm." All the while singing " I don't want a baby, baby, baby, nooo."
Anyways this sigfried ralpha decided it was time to make her name known and tell everyone in Vancouver she was at Rogers arena to see him. So, she took a permanent marker and wrote her name, the date of whatever shitshow was about to happen. And what I can only assume is her number a bunch of hearts and a picture of her 12 year old face for Justin Bieber to make Paper Mache out of. (if he can produce semen from his ovaries).
What ramjam didn't know is that, the wall she had wrote her forgettable, and regrettable message on was the Rick Rypien memorial wall. Filled will hockey fans messages of love and appreciation for what he did for hockey and depression sufferers.
Simbanam has since received death threats and removed her twitter and hopefully changed her name, because I am running out of phony names that sound similar.
What would possess a human being, at any facet to go to a Bieball's concert and to write about it anyways. Go there, realize wow that machine really helps his voice change and move on.
Stigman ram barked up the wrong tree. That is too personal for many Canadians. I sincerely hope one crazy person doesn't kill her or something. But, I do hope that taught her, and her beliebing friends a lesson in not being a fucking moron.
Thanks, rammamsinsamsnam, for defacing something that meant so much to me, and everyone else in Canada.
Some of the responsibility lies on Justin Bieber to issue an apology for the people who aren't his fans. The people who coexist with the puke, he should have to apologize on behalf of both of them.
I will enjoy every minute of the day that Bieber becomes non-relevant.
Article here http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/11/justin-bieber-fans-deface-rick-rypien-memorial
Regards, Devon
Well, Justin (shitface) Bieber toured Canada recently, I think? Who cares,
Anyways a bunch of morons, one being named Simram Mann, or wolfram alpha or some shit.
Decided "OmG, I'm at biebs, I want his half hard, bald penis inside of me, while he high pitch squeals his way to an orgasm." All the while singing " I don't want a baby, baby, baby, nooo."
Anyways this sigfried ralpha decided it was time to make her name known and tell everyone in Vancouver she was at Rogers arena to see him. So, she took a permanent marker and wrote her name, the date of whatever shitshow was about to happen. And what I can only assume is her number a bunch of hearts and a picture of her 12 year old face for Justin Bieber to make Paper Mache out of. (if he can produce semen from his ovaries).
What ramjam didn't know is that, the wall she had wrote her forgettable, and regrettable message on was the Rick Rypien memorial wall. Filled will hockey fans messages of love and appreciation for what he did for hockey and depression sufferers.
Simbanam has since received death threats and removed her twitter and hopefully changed her name, because I am running out of phony names that sound similar.
What would possess a human being, at any facet to go to a Bieball's concert and to write about it anyways. Go there, realize wow that machine really helps his voice change and move on.
Stigman ram barked up the wrong tree. That is too personal for many Canadians. I sincerely hope one crazy person doesn't kill her or something. But, I do hope that taught her, and her beliebing friends a lesson in not being a fucking moron.
Thanks, rammamsinsamsnam, for defacing something that meant so much to me, and everyone else in Canada.
Some of the responsibility lies on Justin Bieber to issue an apology for the people who aren't his fans. The people who coexist with the puke, he should have to apologize on behalf of both of them.
I will enjoy every minute of the day that Bieber becomes non-relevant.
Article here http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/11/justin-bieber-fans-deface-rick-rypien-memorial
Regards, Devon
Arena Drawbacks and Advantages [Archived] October 2012
Anyway, what are some of the advantages and drawbacks to the oilers for
the new arena?
Benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. In Canada we experience such multiculturalism in our sports it has become a custom for many other families to bring in hockey to their childrens lives. Canada eats sleeps and breathes hockey. The current lockout will tell you that, every Canadian who watched hockey every saturday night now is off to find something else to do. They all say 'how am I going to survive without it.'
In Edmonton specifically, the new arena would bring about revitalization like you wouldn't believe. It would revitalize the city, the fans, the players, it would put edmonton as a destination for players who wish to be traded or free agents. At 16,839 for a seating capacity it is damn near impossible to get into a hockey game. Unless you are willing to pay through the teeth for a nosebleed ticket. 16,839 is in the bottom 5 for seating capacity around the league. In Canada that is a very large problem. For social programs or youth groups to get into a game, they have to wait weeks and usually end up seeing sub-par teams.What the new arena proposes is somewhere around 22,000 seats. Which would leave about 12,000 to the general public to be able to get down to the arena and enjoy a game. For an affordable price. It would gain much more of a fan base for the paycheque to paycheque families to be able to treat their young son to a hockey game.
New clubhouse would be a very nice draw for the team, reporters and cameramen would have the room to be able to interview players. It wouldn't look old and dingy. It would look modern and appealing. The biggest problem with Rexall place is the dinginess. It is old, falling apart, it is not aesthetically appealing in the slightest. New restaurants and new business opportunities from foreign investment would be huge. Would create more jobs, more tourism and economic growth.
In 2006, the Edmonton Oilers put together their best 'team' season since the 1984-1990. They worked as a team, they functioned as a team. Defensemen looked out for their goalies. What that season did for the city is beyond words. Every weekend 20 somethings talk about going drinking on Whyte Ave. Well, in 2006 Whyte Ave was the only place to drink, and during away games the only place that mattered. Whyte Ave experienced a surge in economic growth, fans were happy, bartenders were happy. The city had a special Aura around it. It gave a reason for the city to believe. Believe in something as ridiculous as sports, when important political issues were going on. Cars had flags, people wearing hats, couldn't move 2 feet without seeing an oiler jersey. Fast forward 6 years
Those days are long gone. People have lost faith, nobody is surprised when the oilers lose. Nobody is proud of the team, or the house that gretzky built anymore. Optimism about hockey is lacking a pulse.
The arena could bring about that same hope that cup run did. It will bring back optimism, it'll fill the seats, they will experience the best merchandise sales. It will revitalize the downtown core, and move the eye sores that are currently plopped down. Businesses will thrive around the area of workers, and fans about to head to the game. Commute would be ridiculously easy because there are 10 buses at any given time going downtown. The LRT can get you down there in little to no time at all. It would put Edmonton back on the map in infrastructure terms, too. Businessmen, scouts, international travelers would come about just to see this hi-tech arena. After all, nobody in Ottawa would say 'we need to go see the Sens play the Oilers at Rexall Place, I hear that you haven't seen a hockey game until you have been in that arena.'
Potential drawbacks would be - the people who refuse to take transit and need to drive. It could potentially clog up the downtown streets. The money that it is being used for, may be spent better somewhere else. The constant lying about price, and the repeated changes to the blueprint makes everyone a little skeptical.
This is Canada though, this is hockey. Edmonton needs a new arena, as every other Canadian team has upgraded and experienced a much better work environment, and much more revenue. The area that Rexall is in is one of the dirtiest places in the City. The arena could bring cleanliness to downtown and inject a new fuel for making our city more pleasant to visit.
Enough is enough, build the arena please. The Oilers could never leave Edmonton, that is just not feasible in my mind. The city will see some of the revenue of the new arena.
If the city can pay 500,000-800,000 for a pile of chrome balls to put on a side of a road, why can't we put money towards a new identity for the city.
Sincerely, A hockey fan.
Regards,
Devon
Benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. In Canada we experience such multiculturalism in our sports it has become a custom for many other families to bring in hockey to their childrens lives. Canada eats sleeps and breathes hockey. The current lockout will tell you that, every Canadian who watched hockey every saturday night now is off to find something else to do. They all say 'how am I going to survive without it.'
In Edmonton specifically, the new arena would bring about revitalization like you wouldn't believe. It would revitalize the city, the fans, the players, it would put edmonton as a destination for players who wish to be traded or free agents. At 16,839 for a seating capacity it is damn near impossible to get into a hockey game. Unless you are willing to pay through the teeth for a nosebleed ticket. 16,839 is in the bottom 5 for seating capacity around the league. In Canada that is a very large problem. For social programs or youth groups to get into a game, they have to wait weeks and usually end up seeing sub-par teams.What the new arena proposes is somewhere around 22,000 seats. Which would leave about 12,000 to the general public to be able to get down to the arena and enjoy a game. For an affordable price. It would gain much more of a fan base for the paycheque to paycheque families to be able to treat their young son to a hockey game.
New clubhouse would be a very nice draw for the team, reporters and cameramen would have the room to be able to interview players. It wouldn't look old and dingy. It would look modern and appealing. The biggest problem with Rexall place is the dinginess. It is old, falling apart, it is not aesthetically appealing in the slightest. New restaurants and new business opportunities from foreign investment would be huge. Would create more jobs, more tourism and economic growth.
In 2006, the Edmonton Oilers put together their best 'team' season since the 1984-1990. They worked as a team, they functioned as a team. Defensemen looked out for their goalies. What that season did for the city is beyond words. Every weekend 20 somethings talk about going drinking on Whyte Ave. Well, in 2006 Whyte Ave was the only place to drink, and during away games the only place that mattered. Whyte Ave experienced a surge in economic growth, fans were happy, bartenders were happy. The city had a special Aura around it. It gave a reason for the city to believe. Believe in something as ridiculous as sports, when important political issues were going on. Cars had flags, people wearing hats, couldn't move 2 feet without seeing an oiler jersey. Fast forward 6 years
Those days are long gone. People have lost faith, nobody is surprised when the oilers lose. Nobody is proud of the team, or the house that gretzky built anymore. Optimism about hockey is lacking a pulse.
The arena could bring about that same hope that cup run did. It will bring back optimism, it'll fill the seats, they will experience the best merchandise sales. It will revitalize the downtown core, and move the eye sores that are currently plopped down. Businesses will thrive around the area of workers, and fans about to head to the game. Commute would be ridiculously easy because there are 10 buses at any given time going downtown. The LRT can get you down there in little to no time at all. It would put Edmonton back on the map in infrastructure terms, too. Businessmen, scouts, international travelers would come about just to see this hi-tech arena. After all, nobody in Ottawa would say 'we need to go see the Sens play the Oilers at Rexall Place, I hear that you haven't seen a hockey game until you have been in that arena.'
Potential drawbacks would be - the people who refuse to take transit and need to drive. It could potentially clog up the downtown streets. The money that it is being used for, may be spent better somewhere else. The constant lying about price, and the repeated changes to the blueprint makes everyone a little skeptical.
This is Canada though, this is hockey. Edmonton needs a new arena, as every other Canadian team has upgraded and experienced a much better work environment, and much more revenue. The area that Rexall is in is one of the dirtiest places in the City. The arena could bring cleanliness to downtown and inject a new fuel for making our city more pleasant to visit.
Enough is enough, build the arena please. The Oilers could never leave Edmonton, that is just not feasible in my mind. The city will see some of the revenue of the new arena.
If the city can pay 500,000-800,000 for a pile of chrome balls to put on a side of a road, why can't we put money towards a new identity for the city.
Sincerely, A hockey fan.
Regards,
Devon
Lockout [Archive] September 2012
On september 7th, 2011 a group a guys. A group varied from young guns
looking to be noticed. Kids playing to make money for their family in
Russia. A core group of NHL veterans who were signed to be a guide. To
help those most needed with their hockey mindset.
Ruslan, Salei and his wife received the news that they were having a child within the year. Pavol Demitra coming off injuries that kept him out of the Canucks line-up and ultimately from any contract in the league. Karlis Skrastins, a steady defenceman. Never a stud on the point in the offensive zone. Never a big plus minus player. He got the job done. A person you want in the trenches. Josef Vasicek a person who played in the NHL after experiencing success in minor leagues. He got to live the dream. He got to play the show, but was never a mainstay. Once he went to the Islanders he was an after thought.
These group of Veterans along with A successful Brad McCrimmon were aboard a airplane with many problems. First being the pilots who were not qualified for drive. Hit a radio tower and killing all but one player. Since that time, teams in the KHL put aside all differences, loaned players. Allowed for a flexible schedule to adjust for Lokomotiv to rebuild their emotions, legacy, and image.The biggest league in Russia, with so many good Russian athletes North Americans will ever know of. People turned aside from the NHL for lack of skill, big ice play, or just not being able to be away from home.
Kids in the OHL, the Q, and WHL have been drafted. Some of them wearing their childhood colours. Now they don't even get to enjoy their moment in the sun. Parents who spent thousands every year don't and may never get to see their kid in the league. The 4th liners who get played once every 7 games won't even get to see their 6 minutes. The Datsyuk's who don't get to enjoy their last few years in the league comfortably. The Brodeur's who are itching for one more year don't get that choice. The Nugent-Hopkins who get the injury bug and have something to prove.
In today's NHL, they are fighting over 7% of a billion dollar equity. For players who earn millions to play the game they love. I can't point fingers, I can't say who is to blame. What I can say is, to the people who want it. The fans should be given some sort of respect from players and owners alike. The fans who fill the seats, even the losing Islanders get 1/2 attendance on most nights. Long are the days of the Battle of Alberta, the Detroit Colorado rivalry or any of the intensely fierce moments from 10 years ago.
Today's NHL is a business, a (now) thriving business being marred at every turn for "unsafe" playing conditions. Fans fill the seats to watch the Bobby Orr dives, the Mike Van Ryn through the glass hits, the ten bell saves by Hasek followed by 3 guys laying on top of him. This is the game of hockey. This is what Canadians (and now Americans) play in their backyard rinks, the broken outdoor rinks or the 1970's rink shacks.The fans who take their kids to the games to have the morning after to say "hey remember last night when Subban crashed price at centre ice and bowled him over. The kid who saves his pennies to buy the upper deck to get a Mike Keane card. The kids who sit with a blade on the stove for 20 minutes trying to bend it. The 30k a year father who buys his season tickets because his dad bought season tickets for 30 years.The Moms who wake up at 5 AM to take their kids to a peewee tourney. This is the NHL, these people are your team. The 20,000 in the stands.
I watched hockey sparingly from 94-04. Watched it seriously right after the lockout. The Habs Bruins rivalries. The Jose Theodore getting shelled every game. This is what I watched, didn't have to watch the Habs squeak in and get destroyed first round. I watched it because that is my identity.
For once, the NHL and NHLPA and Bettman need to recognize the fans want it. More than anyone else. They deserve it. We all eat sleep and breathe hockey.
September 15th better be a great day for NHL fans,
For now this is my take,
Best regards,
Ruslan, Salei and his wife received the news that they were having a child within the year. Pavol Demitra coming off injuries that kept him out of the Canucks line-up and ultimately from any contract in the league. Karlis Skrastins, a steady defenceman. Never a stud on the point in the offensive zone. Never a big plus minus player. He got the job done. A person you want in the trenches. Josef Vasicek a person who played in the NHL after experiencing success in minor leagues. He got to live the dream. He got to play the show, but was never a mainstay. Once he went to the Islanders he was an after thought.
These group of Veterans along with A successful Brad McCrimmon were aboard a airplane with many problems. First being the pilots who were not qualified for drive. Hit a radio tower and killing all but one player. Since that time, teams in the KHL put aside all differences, loaned players. Allowed for a flexible schedule to adjust for Lokomotiv to rebuild their emotions, legacy, and image.The biggest league in Russia, with so many good Russian athletes North Americans will ever know of. People turned aside from the NHL for lack of skill, big ice play, or just not being able to be away from home.
Kids in the OHL, the Q, and WHL have been drafted. Some of them wearing their childhood colours. Now they don't even get to enjoy their moment in the sun. Parents who spent thousands every year don't and may never get to see their kid in the league. The 4th liners who get played once every 7 games won't even get to see their 6 minutes. The Datsyuk's who don't get to enjoy their last few years in the league comfortably. The Brodeur's who are itching for one more year don't get that choice. The Nugent-Hopkins who get the injury bug and have something to prove.
In today's NHL, they are fighting over 7% of a billion dollar equity. For players who earn millions to play the game they love. I can't point fingers, I can't say who is to blame. What I can say is, to the people who want it. The fans should be given some sort of respect from players and owners alike. The fans who fill the seats, even the losing Islanders get 1/2 attendance on most nights. Long are the days of the Battle of Alberta, the Detroit Colorado rivalry or any of the intensely fierce moments from 10 years ago.
Today's NHL is a business, a (now) thriving business being marred at every turn for "unsafe" playing conditions. Fans fill the seats to watch the Bobby Orr dives, the Mike Van Ryn through the glass hits, the ten bell saves by Hasek followed by 3 guys laying on top of him. This is the game of hockey. This is what Canadians (and now Americans) play in their backyard rinks, the broken outdoor rinks or the 1970's rink shacks.The fans who take their kids to the games to have the morning after to say "hey remember last night when Subban crashed price at centre ice and bowled him over. The kid who saves his pennies to buy the upper deck to get a Mike Keane card. The kids who sit with a blade on the stove for 20 minutes trying to bend it. The 30k a year father who buys his season tickets because his dad bought season tickets for 30 years.The Moms who wake up at 5 AM to take their kids to a peewee tourney. This is the NHL, these people are your team. The 20,000 in the stands.
I watched hockey sparingly from 94-04. Watched it seriously right after the lockout. The Habs Bruins rivalries. The Jose Theodore getting shelled every game. This is what I watched, didn't have to watch the Habs squeak in and get destroyed first round. I watched it because that is my identity.
For once, the NHL and NHLPA and Bettman need to recognize the fans want it. More than anyone else. They deserve it. We all eat sleep and breathe hockey.
September 15th better be a great day for NHL fans,
For now this is my take,
Best regards,
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