There's hockey's biggest problem right there...Bettman!!
Don't get me wrong, this next phrase is in no way a bash again the American people... but let's face it, hockey is a Canadian game. Other than the American snowbelt states (Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, etc.), there isn't much interest in hockey. In Canada though, taking away the NHL was like taking away a little bit of our livelihood. It actually hurt our economy! Without hockey, pubs have gone out of business, tv stations have lost major corporate contracts, and beer sales have gone down , but we sure as shit didn't stop watching hockey. CHL and WHL games were televised much more, and the live attendance for those games skyrocketed as well.
*sorry, got off topic there, this is a rant against Gary*
When it comes to the NHL, there is no way in hell it ever should have been left in charge of an American Business Man who doesn't give a crap about the game. Gary is just looking for ways to make this profitable, and saleable to the entire US market. Time top wake up! I don't care how much you change the rule, hockey just isn't marketable in Arkansas or Alabama. Don't bother messing with the rules, you're just going to cheapen the game, and ruin it even more (ie. blue tracer lines following the puck on tv, so 'new audience members' could follow the game better). We just need to drop the non-profitable teams (Florida, Nashville, Carolina, etc.) add a couple of new market teams in saleable regions (Winnipeg, Quebec, Seattle), and stop stretching the talent pool so thin.
When it comes to the arguement of trying to increase the scoring to attract a larger audience, I say screw that! Soccer is the world's biggest sport, and like the posts before me pointed out, many games end in a 0-0 tie. There's nothing wrong with a hockey game finishing 1-0, 2-0, 2-1... a big part of the game is the shutout for the goalie. After having the world's best players pummel (sp?) you with 35 shots through a game, and not let one in, is quite an achievement.
If this sport is going to get back on track, we need to rid ourselves of Bettmen and have someone who who cares about the game try to market it to a marketable audience in it's purest form. Whether it be a Canadian or American, make sure it's someone who understand the logistics of hockey, and how not to over commercialize it to an unattainable audience. I think Brain Burke would be great in this role... he understands the game, loves the game, and is a great business man.

 

"She said she doesn't give a **** about hockey, I've never heard anyone say that before!

The Tragically Hip

 

NICE!!
Love The Hip

 

I had a dream last night that I woke up and hopped on ESPN and they had signed a new CBA...


Of course I realized when I woke up that ever if that had happened, it'd probably be a small blurb on page 12.

 

How right you are Billy. We're lucky to even see a score posted (when they're playing). Bastids!

 

No news.

 

 

Bad news.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2091116

 

With any luck the hockey bargaining groups will see the correlation and pick up the pace.

I know... hopelessly optimistic.

 

There's a lot of good stuff in the NBA. I think their CBA is really a good model for any CBA, as it heavily favors resigning with your current team. Granted that this is the way dynasties are made, but it's great for fans.