Islanders make a commute

Technically we guess, they can still call the club the Islanders, though it perhaps is a bit of a stretch considering the land mass that Brooklyn takes in as part of the Metropolitan New York area.

This week's announcement that Charles Wang is moving his hockey club closer to the epicentre of life in New York and it's corporate offices was the actual surprising news of the week, (sadly the cancellation of yet more games for November wasn't) with Wang's Islanders set to join up with the newly moved  Brooklyn Nets, taking up residence of the Barclay's Centre with the hottest of sport's team of the moment in NYC.
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The Islanders, who have been involved in a long, drawn out battle with Long Island officials for a new home for the once marquee franchise, seemingly found the lure of relocation too strong, adding to the vibe of a part of New York sports scene that last resonated when some team called the Dodgers had a place to play there.

The success of the transplant of the Nets from Newark to Jay Z's neighbourhood has been the marketing dream of the year so far for the NBA, with sales of Brooklyn themed items outpacing all other teams of the NBA.

The Barclay's Centre has already featured it's first game, an exhibition session that brought life to a neighbourhood and pride to a borough that hasn't been seen in a long, long time. To all of that excitement Mr. Wang hopes to bring his hockey club, though he will while away a few more years in Nassau county, the attendance numbers (should the NHL ever get around to getting back on the ice) we imagine reflective of the woes of Wang through the last number of years.

The move to Brooklyn takes the Islanders into what will be the smallest of arenas in the NHL, less even than the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, yet Wang seems to have taken a page out of the Jets blue print, where small is better, with more luxury boxes for added income, we imagine he believes the Islanders will at least stem the flow of red ink that was the feature of the attendance count of Islander games last year.

For such stars as John Tavares and Kyle Okposo, the move to Brooklyn will offer up a chance to share in some of the spotlight that the Rangers players enjoy, the Islanders while rather woeful on the ice the last few seasons are one team that should be poised for success moving forward (providing management doesn't make any additions to the lengthy list of head scratching decisions of the past).

When your average attendance is around the 12,000 mark or so, the noise and excitement of a packed house and a happening place could do wonders for the morale of the once dominant Stanley Cup holders of the past.

As the last few seasons have played out and the negotiations and discussions became more acrimonious by the week, the Islanders appeared to be a team in exile, once part of the New York sports scene now so out of the loop it was as if they were already playing in Quebec City, Kansas City, Hamilton or any other destination mentioned over the years.

With all this new found excitement over the future, the only concern is holding it all together as they play out the string on Long Island until 2015.

It does provide for a situation that would seem to portend some dark days for the team before the dawn of the new Islander era in Brooklyn, but as they say it's always darkest before the dawn.

The decision to head for Brooklyn no doubt came much to the relief of the NHL, which we imagine was loathe to lose a franchise in its most important media centre. Putting a four time Stanley Cup champion at the other end of the Brooklyn Bridge probably is about as good a scenario as Gary Bettman could have come up with.

There has been a renaissance for Brooklyn in the last decade, no longer thought of as the forgotten borough it's becoming a destination spot all to itself, so much so, that Charles Wang is making it his destination location

New York Post-- Move to Barclay's is a win for Islanders, fans & New York City
New York Post-- Puck drops here for the Islanders
New York Post-- Islanders' move draws mixed reaction
New York Post-- Islanders leave behind glory years, Coliseum memories
New York Daily News-- NY Islanders' move to Brooklyn's Barclays Centre is latest case of team...
New York Daily News-- Barclay's Centre and NY Islanders announce NHL franchise to relocate...
New York Daily News-- NY Islanders are on the move, heading to Brooklyn and Barclay's Centre...
New York Daily News-- Brooklyn has an NHL team, and now fans can buy a T-shirt ...
New York Daily News-- NY Islanders moving to Brooklyn faces no big protest...
New York Times-- Capsized Franchise Has Only Sunk Further into Despair
New York Times-- A Team by Any Other Name May Be Less Confusing
New York Times-- An owner with some Eyebrow-Raising Moves
New York Times-- Islanders' Brooklyn Move Raises Complex Issues
new York Times-- Should the Islanders Keep Their Name?
New York Times-- With Team's move, Pondering Tailgating on a Train
Newsday-- Loss of Islanders symbolizes Long Island's weaknesses
Newsday-- Rangers are fine with Islanders' move
Newsday-- Hub development a challenge as Isles quit
Newsday-- Gary Bettman: Barclay's Center size doesn't matter
Newsday-- Isles GM Garth Snow has a selling point now with new arena
Newsday-- Islanders make 'iron clad' 25 year commitment to Brooklyn
Newsday-- Charles Wang says move to Brooklyn won't affect name
Newsday-- Islanders brand should grow in Brooklyn
Newsday-- Former Islanders have mixed feelings about leaving Nassau Coliseum
Newsday-- After years of trying to keep Islanders in Nassau, Charles Wang chose alternative
Newsday-- Little economic hit from Islanders' loss
Newsday-- Loss of Islanders Nassau's wake-up call
Newsday-- Islanders fans: At least the team will stay in NY
Newsday-- Many longtime Islanders fans upset
Newsday-- The Islanders' Cup-winning teams in the 19080's put Long Island on the map
National Post--New York Islanders announce move to Brooklyn
National Post-- Islanders move to Brooklyn should be the first of many in the NHL

No one's picking up the phone

"You never thought you'd be alone this far down the line
And I know what's been on your mind
You're afraid it's all been wasted time"
--The Eagles, Wasted Time

Like spurned teenage lovers, the NHL and NHLPA have spent the last few days cooped up in their rooms, playing the same song over and over again, wondering how it all went so wrong (as if they don't know) refusing to talk, let alone meet somewhere to try and sort out their troubles.

With another deadline now gone by and the cancellation of  yet more of the NHL games from the schedule revealed, progress it would seem is non existent, in fact at the moment things appear to be going backwards at a fairly quick pace.

The players union head Donald Fehr is less than impressed that Gary Bettman has been seemingly going behind his back, or to be more precise has allowed the GM's and owners of the teams to go behind his back, seeking a back channel to the NHLPA membership.

The 48 hour window that apparently provided for ownership influence came and went with little change to the dynamic of the negotiations (if we could call this process that) other than to seemingly harden the position of the Fehr's and result in little to no contact since.

With proposals and counter proposals left on the floor and positions apparently hardening, it was with little surprise that the midnight hour came and went on Thursday without puffs of white smoke to signify that peace was at hand.

Not even the late night shout out from President Barack Obama, in reply to a question on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno could move the two sides to find a common room, let alone common ground.

This morning, Bill Daly was dispatched to express his disappointment that yet another session of negotiations has gone for naught, outlining the latest of games to have been removed from the schedule and the percentage of games cancelled from what should have been the 2012-12 season (for the curious that's 26.5 per cent of the season, 326 games in total thus far).

His thoughts were countered by the official reply by Don Fehr of the NHLPA, advising that the move by the NHL today came as "no surprise"

As word spread of the latest cancellations and the removal of the 50-50 proposal as a talking point moving forward (or is that backwards?). A number of the more recognizable of sports writers jumped to their twitter accounts,  offering up some thoughts on the developments.

Elliot Friedman suggesting that the Winter Classic and All Star game are on the block next, perhaps as early as Monday.

Pierre LeBrun did the math for us coming up with the total amount of lost revenue thus far, while Bruce Dowbiggin sees parallels in Donald Fehr's handling of the hockey dispute with that of his days with Major League Baseball.

So, with the weekend upon us and no word on when or if negotiators will get together for a chat,  we wonder just how much longer before another session of Hockey Armageddon arrives.

Some of the latest of reviews of our recalcitrant negotiators can be found below.

National Post-- A slow drive back down the NHL's road to ruin
National Post-- "No contact": NHL and players give each other the silent treatment
National Post-- NHL slices another month from the schedule as lockout talks stall
Toronto Star-- League cancels remaining November games
Toronto Star-- League withdraws 50-50 offer to NHLPA
Toronto Star-- League, union take hockey to the brink
Toronto Star-- League turns down union offer to meet
Toronto Star-- Time spent by both sides on meaningless stuff boggles the mind
Toronto Sun-- NHL cancels games through the end of November
Toronto Sun-- Sun Media NHL polling produces surprising results
Toronto Sun-- NHLPA: "It takes two to negotiate"
Toronto Sun-- Union irked that NHL let GMs field questions from players about CBA
Toronto Sun-- Time running out to salvage full NHL season
Toronto Sun-- Donald Fehr's baseball system won't work in NHL... but this idea might
Ottawa Citizen-- Welcome to the NHL's version of Groundhog Day - again
Winnipeg Free Press-- Fork in the road
Vancouver Sun-- Does anyone in charge even care about the game?
Vancouver Sun-- NHL PLayers' Association questions league's decision to speak with players...
Vancouver Province-- This time the league actually seems to care, but only about losing money
Globe and Mail-- Time for Bettman to walk away

Cancelled, Cancelled, Cancelled: Labour talks timeline

As the NHL labour dispute edges closer and closer to the brink of madness and the cancellation of the entire season, hockey fans suffer the death of a thousand cuts as the NHL takes the scissors to wide swaths of the planned 2012-13 season.

Below, some of the updates since the dispute began, cancelling games and keeping arenas dark across North America.

And for those following along at home, courtesy of the Toronto Star, some helpful dates to circle on your calendar for further apocalyptic puck notices.

Below some helpful??? missives  on the state of labour relations from the NHL office. An interesting review of the ebb and flow of the talks from the league's perspective, discussions (sort of) that thus far have resulted in but the cancellation of games and hardening of positions.

In short, it would appear that there has been a lot of talking, without anything resembling progress over the last three months.

We'll update the listings as events warrant...


December 31-- League, Union meet Monday to discuss CBA proposal
December 30-- NHL, Union expected to meet again Monday
December 28-- Daly statement regarding new CBA proposal
December 28-- League offers comprehensive CBA proposal to Union
December 20-- NHL announces cancellation of 2012-13 regular season schedule through January 14
December 14-- NHLPA Statement Regarding NHL's Complaint and Unfair Labour Practice Charge
December 14-- NHL files Class Action Complaint in Federal Court, Unfair Labour Practice Charge with NLRB
December 13-- NHL, PA meet with mediators for second straight day
December 12-- NHL reports no progress after mediation session
December 12-- NHL, Union meet with federal mediators Wednesday
December 10-- NHL, Union endeavouring to restart labor talks
December 6-- NHLPA proposal rejected; no talks scheduled
December 6-- Owners' statements on CBA talks
December 6-- NHL, NHLPA meet for an hour Thursday
December 6-- NHL, Union to continue marathon CBA session
December 5-- NHL, Union reconvene after BOG meeting
December 5-- League, Union encouraged after eight-hour meeting
December 2-- Statement from NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly
November 29-- CBA mediation with League, Union unsuccessful
November 29-- Daly statement on mediation
November 28-- NHL, Union meet with mediators Wednesday
November 26-- League, Union turn to mediators in CBA negotiations
November 23-- NHL announces cancellation of schedule through Dec. 14 and 2013 All-Star weekend in Columbus
November 21-- NHL, Union remain apart after latest proposals
November 19-- NHL urges NHLPA to bring full CBA proposal to table
November 17-- NHL, PA scheduled to resume negotiations Monday
November 11-- NHL, NHLPA discuss contracting issues on Sunday
November 10-- NHL, NHLPA have informal lunch, no talks scheduled
November 9-- NHL, NHLPA meet for fourth straight day
November 8-- CBA meeting adjourned, will continue Friday
November 7-- CBA meeting adjourned, will continue Thursday
November 3-- NHL, NHLPA to meet Saturday
November 2-- NHL announces cancellation of 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic and SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival
October 26-- NHLPA statement from Executive Director Don Fehr
October 26-- Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly statement regarding cancellation of 2012-13 schedule through November 30
October 26-- NHL announces cancellation of 2012-13 regular season schedule through November 30
October 24-- Bettman: 82 game season looks unlikely
October 19-- NHL announces cancellation of 2012-13 regular season schedule through November 1
October 18-- CBA negotiations break off Thursday
October 17-- NHL, NHLPA to meet again Thursday
October 16-- NHL makes 50-50 revenue split offer
October 11-- CBA talks adjourned after two days of sessions
October 11-- Daly: No progress in latest CBA talks
October 10-- NHL, NHLPA resume CBA negotiations in NYC
October 10-- Alberta labor board sides with NHL in lockout ruling
October 10-- Daly statement regarding Alberta Labor Board ruling
October 5-- NHL, NHLPA meet in Toronto for CBA discussions
October 4-- Statement from NHL Deputy Commissioner Billy Daly
October 4-- NHL announces cancellation of 2012-13 regular season through October 24
October 2-- CBA negotiations stall after two-hour meeting Tuesday
September 30-- NHL, NHLPA finish three days of CBA negotiations
September 30-- League, NHLPA conclude three days of talks
September 29-- Third straight day of CBA discussion concludes
September 28-- CBA talks resume, will continue during weekend
September 28-- CBA negotiations resume Friday
September 27-- NHL cancels remaining preseason schedule
September 24-- Daly: CBA negotiations could resume this week
September 16-- A message to our fans
September 15-- No CBA negotiations scheduled before deadline
September 13-- NHL willing to negotiate as CBA deadline nears
September 12-- NHL makes new proposal in CBA negotiations
September 10-- NHL disagrees with NHLPA labor filings in Canada
September 7-- NHL, NHLPA meet Friday to discuss CBA negotiations
August 31-- CBA talks stalled after Friday's session
August 31-- NHLPA expected to deliver counterproposal Friday
August 30-- NHL hopeful progress continues with NHLPA proposal
August 30-- NHL, NHLPA to resume CBA negotiations Friday
August 29-- NHL awaits NHLPA counterproposal
August 29-- NHL, players to resume CBA negotiations Wednesday
August 28-- NHL makes 'significant' counterproposal Tuesday
August 23-- Hockey-related revenue focus of latest CBA session
August 22-- Top CBA negotiators meet, set stage for Thursday
August 16-- Hockey issues dominate CBA negotiation Thursday
August 15-- NHL: Gap remains between CBA economic proposals
August 14-- NHLPA submits CBA proposal in Tuesday meeting
August 13-- Growth of business discussed in NHL, NHLPA session
August 10-- NHL, NHLPA meet for fourth consecutive day
August 9-- NHL: New CBA needed to start 2012-13 season
August 8-- Supplemental discipline focus of latest CBA session
August 7-- NHL, NHLPA reconvene CBA negotiations Tuesday
August 1-- Subcommittee work dominates latest CBA session
July 31-- NHL further explains CBA proposal in lengthy session
July 26-- NHL, NHLPA discuss player benefits in latest session
July 25-- League provides further detail on proposal to players
July 24-- NHL, NHLPA discuss discipline, other issues
July 20-- NHL, NHLPA conclude three-day negotiating session
July 18-- NHL states desire to settle CBA talks by Sept. 15
July 10-- NHL, NHLPA continue negotiations in Toronto
July 6-- NHL, NHLPA conclude latest negotiating session
July 6-- Statement from NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly regarding July 5-6 collective bargaining sessions
July 5-- NHL, NHLPA hold second day of negotiations
June 29-- Don Fehr statement after CBA talks
June 28-- NHLPA, NHL announce team payroll range for 2012-13
June 27-- NHLPA finishes executive board meetings
June 25-- NHLPA begins board meetings

The Gang of Four: Gary Bettman edition

When Gary Bettman looks up and down the owners table in New York, he can at least tell his Board of Governors employers that despite all the labour strife of the moment, he's still keeping hockey as a topic of discussion when it comes to the big four sports.

Though perhaps not for any of the right reasons.

The Cornish who has taken the NHL to the mattresses for the fourth time during his reign (20 years this February!), still resonates with sports writers, where developments from the New York offices still make for interesting copy and fascinating story ideas.

Sadly for hockey fans, it seems the bulk of that copy kind of makes hockey look like a muddled mess, though Mr. Bettman can take comfort as he has company, oh does he have company.

Grantland's Bill Simmons recently posted a well thought out article called A Hierarchy of Hypocrites, mainly it's about Roger Goodell and his fascinating mis-steps with the NFL this season. Proof that even an entity that is nothing but a licence to print money sometimes finds ways to cause observers to go huh, what?

It's a must read for anyone who wants some insight into the world of pro sports. A world which somehow survives, despite those that actually run the leagues that fleece the flock, er, offer up fine entertainment for the fans.

And while the article is mostly about Roger, with a smattering of Bud and a healthy heaping of David added to the mix, it's the items of note about the NHL's boss man that we found particularly interesting, informative and entertaining.

Among the observations:

And then there's Gary Bruce Bettman, the serial killer of the National Hockey League, someone who keeps murdering games and seasons without being caught. He's only missing a catchy/creepy nickname like the Zamboni Killer or the Canadian Bogeyman. 

Meanwhile, Gary Bettman will celebrate his 20th anniversary next February as (a) the NHL's commissioner, and (b) David Stern's mole with direct orders to turn hockey into a second-class sport. For all we know, he might be Brody and Stern might be Abu Nazir. Don't believe me? FOUR WORK STOPPAGES IN 20 YEARS!!!!! 

At this point, Bettman would lose any election to any human being with even rudimentary hockey connections unless it was the actor who played Wolf "The Dentist" Stansson in D2: The Mighty Ducks. 

And Simmons didn't even mention the House of Cards financials that some of the member clubs seem to feature these days, nested in locations that don't actually seem to have an interest in the sport to begin with.

It all makes for an interesting character study into the ownership of the league, this is the man they have chosen to be the guy holding the compass?

Somehow it seems apparent as to how they got so lost in the woods...

Notes from the Exiles

As the NHL's labour impasse continues on, North America's hockey loving public are being treated to some wonderfully snarky comments from some of those exiled to the European continent.

Mainly it seems from the Russian delegations, where seemingly the talking points get more and more outspoken as the labour travails move forward.

Never shy to Opine, the soundbites and quotes are flowing as fast at the Volga on a warm spring day, from Ovie, to Breezy with Sergie in tow, Gary Bettman's reading list will feature some heavy usage of Babel Fish to fully get the view from Moscow.

As a public service and in the cause of good theatre, we'll provide some of the more interesting and potentially controversial ones as things move on.

October 22-- Predators' Sergei Kostitsyn hopes lockout wipes out NHL season

Sergei, unplugged from Moscow, as the Nashville Predator exile offers up some thoughts on the NHL dispute and his personal travel guide to the less desired NHL destinations. (Close your eyes Columbus!)

October 21-- Ovechkin Blasts NHL, Threatens to Stay in KHL

Ovie, Ovie, Ovie the heartburn in Gary Bettman's breakfast, offering up his legal interpretation of the status of the NHL players and their options.

October 18-- Will Markov Return to the Habs?

Andrei Markov took a quick barnstorming tour of Quebec and then headed off to Russia to play some shinny. Considering he's only played twenty games with Montreal in the past two seasons, would the Habs even notice if he's not on the bench?

October 9-- Even in a lockout, Brygalov delivers sound bites

As we learend from the HBO 24/7 series, Ilya Bryzgalov makes good television and he's pretty good for print reporters too. As the  lockout began Breezy suggested that he may not return to Philadelphia if wage rollbacks come into play, Ed Snider no doubt could only wish it were so.

At any rate, there's our starting grid, updates as they become available, and yes, we imagine they will become available...

Gary Bettman's 50/50 draw.

On any given night in an arena somewhere in Canada or the USA the local hockey organization is raising money through the ages old tradition of the 50/50 draw, a nice little split on the tickets sold with half going to the hockey team the other to the hockey fan.

It's been one of the foundations of fundraising for many a year and apparently it's such a great idea that even the Commissioner of the NHL has found the blueprint kind of helpful, all be it with a few modifications (the fan as always is left out of the thing) designed to try and break the stalemate in the current labour dispute.

The first tangible sign of momentum developed on Tuesday, with the NHL putting forward a proposal to the NHLPA outlining how revenue would be split on a 50/50 process, providing the league can get an agreement in place to resume hockey games by November 2nd.

The surprise announcement from mid October was released by the NHL, hoping to perhaps catch Donald Fehr off guard and shake some of the resolve of those who have employed him.

Such was the nature of the NHL's gambit that they even released the terms of their prospective deal, something that they haven't been particularly keen on in the past. And to make sure that they were perceived as "fan friendly" they even offered up some helpful "explanations", so helpful that you could almost picture Gary Bettman curled up on the couch with some milk and the storybook.

It also came as word leaked out that the NHL had brought into its arsenal of PR weapons a public relations firm with strong ties to the Republican party in the US. A development which we guess definitely makes the owners part of the 1% (as if there were ever a doubt), leaving the NHLPA to take up residence with the 99, all be it the rather well compensated section of the great unwashed.

At any rate, the proposal sat out there for a few days before Mr. Fehr offered up his own interpretation of the proposal with a few modifications, the obligatory expression of disappointment from the NHL followed and again we all return to the holding pattern.

The only thing moving forward it seems, being the number of games that have been cancelled since the lockout began.

With no particular say in the proceedings, those of us that are just fans or observers of the game are just sitting by, keeping an eye on those 50/50 tickets. Waiting to see which side has the winning numbers, more than aware, that the fans aren't even in the draw.

Until some new progress is reported here's a bit of a helpful time line for us to follow along with.


The Proposal

National Post-- League blinks, if only a little, in negotiations
National Post-- League's new offer could see games start in November
The Hockey News-- NHL proposal provides optimism
The Hockey News-- NHL offers new deal to players, hopes to end lockout and start season Nov. 2
CBC.ca-- NHL releases full proposal made to the players
Toronto Star-- A closer look at the league's offer to salvage full season

The Players respond

National Post-- NHL's rejection of counter-proposals irks players
Toronto Star-- Union head Donald Fehr cool to league's latest offer
CBC.ca-- Players' rep Fehr responds to NHL offer with little enthusiasm
CBC.ca-- NHL, NHLPA 'not speaking same language
CBC.ca-- Crosby and fellow players miffed at NHL's quick rejection

The Fall Out Beyond

Toronto Star-- Gary Bettman shoots down player's counteroffer
Vancouver Sun-- NHL's Gary Bettman 'thoroughly disappointed' with union's proposal
National Post-- Three NHLPA counter-proposals don't rub the NHL the right way
National Post-- League, players still cannot bridge the gap
NY Daily News-- NHL union chief Don Fehr is irritating owners with his slow-motion tactics...

And we wait and we wait

CBC.ca-- NHL labour solution could come from auto industry
NBC Sports-- Fehr's letter to players outlines union's three proposals, call NHL offer "take it or leave it"
Toronto Star--  Union head Donald Fehr outlines proposals in letter to players
Winnipeg Free Press-- NHL's last offer was 'take it or leave it'
National Post-- NHL beleives deal to end lockout is 'on the table'

Burning multiple bridges with Daryl Katz

“I was upset when certain confidential information was leaked and by comments that I thought were unfair and called my integrity into question.” 

“I reacted by trying to send a message to city leaders that they should not take my support for a new arena for granted. “In doing so, I took for granted your support and your love of the Oilers. 

 “That was wrong and I apologize.”

The main thrust of Daryl Katz's "apology" to the fans of Edmonton.

So, seemingly in a little temper tantrum, Daryl Katz headed off to Seattle, apparently for no other reason than to stomp his feet at the folks back in Edmonton.

A strategy that seems to have successfully resolved little, other than to make Katz look a tad more of a carpetbagger than a guy that built his empire in Edmonton. Pushing him into the self inflicted territory of the seven circles of hell that Peter Pocklington once explored during his reign as Oilers owner.

With word of his west coast visit splashed across the Edmonton papers and filling the airwaves of the always entertaining Edmonton radio wars, Katz suddenly it seems decided that some damage control was perhaps in order.

Thus we get the "apology" letter provided to the Edmonton Sun today, a screed to offer up a mea culpa with a dash of indignation directed at those he is currently in negotiations with to create the latest sports palace for the Great White North.

By his letter however, one wonders how the folks of Seattle might be feeling, if in fact they care at all.

In effect, Katz has told the residents of Western Washington State that he really has no intention of bringing hockey there, in effect using them as the battering ram in his negotiations with Edmonton, something we're pretty sure the more vocal of sports radio opinion in Seattle will make note of.

Not that Katz was destined to be a big player in Seattle anyways, at the moment the entire focus of the sports world there is the deliverance of an NBA franchise back to where it never should have left, hockey is but the side dish in the NBA buffet.

All of this is good news for Edmonton's hockey fans, Katz by burning a bridge in Seattle most likely won't be welcome there again, now he has to make sure his Edmonton bridge doesn't catch fire as well.

Hockey fans in Edmonton like others across North America, perhaps are just a little tired of being taken for granted by the owners and administration of the NHL.

In the Edmonton situation, one wonders if perhaps more than a few were giving thought as to where, for instance they might wish to have a prescription filled, the only recourse they might have had to vent their feelings on the mess created by Mr. Katz, who has other interests in the Alberta capital and across Canada.

For the moment, it's all hands on deck for damage control for the Katz collective, trying to smother out the flames of a PR disaster purely of their own making.


The fallout from the Katzgaffe road trip is as follows.

Edmonton Sun-- Secret Katz Group arena meet with Edmonton city administrators...
Edmonton Sun-- Wayne Gretzky 'not involved' with Oiliers, Daryl Katz
Edmonton Sun-- Daryl Katz tour of Seattle arena should spur Edmonton deal
Edmonton Sun-- Daly neutral on new Oilers arena deal
Edmonton Sun-- Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz denies Mayor Stephen Mandel's request..
Edmonton Sun-- Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel and Oilers owner Daryl Katz need to hammer...
Edmonton Sun-- Mayor Stephen Mandel calls on Oilers owner Daryl Katz to make demands public
Edmonton Sun-- Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz says downtown arena in jeopardy
Edmonton Journal-- Oilers owner Katz apologizes for Edmonton arena negotiation tactics
Edmonton Journal-- Katz Group fails to make case it needs sweeter arena deal
Edmonton Journal-- We hated Katz's threat, but it's good that he said it
Edmonton Journal-- Seattle feels Edmonton's arena pain
Edmonton Journal-- If we build it, would they stay
Edmonton Journal-- Will Katz group meet with council to discuss arena project?
Edmonton Journal-- Downtown Edmonton area deal can and should be made ...
Edmonton Journal-- Oilers' owner heads to Seattle for meetings after city approves arena deal
Globe and Mail-- Oilers' owner Daryl Katz apologies to fans for Seattle visit
CBC-- Daryl Katz apologizes to Edmonton fans
CBC-- Edmonton's mixed feelings on Katz apology

Right now, Gary Bettman is ALL hat, NO cattle!

Jimmy Devellano is going to be a little lighter in the wallet today, well OK, perhaps in reality it will be the Illitch's who will be a little lighter, having to dip into the Little Caesar's pizza tip jar to cover off  the $250,000 fine from Gary Bettman, who wasn't too thrilled with Devellano's latest contribution to management/union negotiations.

Devellano, the Senior Vice President of the Red Wings provided the helpful primer to Labour 101 NHL style over the weekend with his comparison to the players being but cattle on the ranch, allowed to come on up to the ranch house for a meal before heading back off to mend fences and such we guess.

His comments provided to the Victoria BC based Island Sports News (no doubt sending their website counter into overdrive over the weekend) provided for some wonderful turn of phrases that should help don't you think?

The Detroit News made sure that the talking points got a little wider distribution than the British Columiba based website, dedicated mostly to university and high school sports on Vancouver Island.

Among his helpful contributions:

"The owners can basically be viewed as the ranch, and the players, me included, are the cattle," Devellano said. "The owners own the ranch and allow the players to eat there. That's the way it's always been and that's the way it will be forever. And the owners simply aren't going to let a union push them around. It's not going to happen." 

And to help make sure the message was delivered he added:

 "Each owner/team has a decision as to how they want to pay their players, as long as they are under the cap. Now (NHLPA executive director) Donald Fehr would have you believe by getting rid of the cap, the owners would make more money and that the sky is the limit, but trust me ... the owners would lose their (behinds). We've tried that. It doesn't work. There is just too much cost involved in running and owning a team." 

Devellano seemingly was channelling his inner Leghorn Foghorn to the Island Sports News, effectively asking the players, "any of this getting through to you son"

It would seem that the Vice President is hearkening back to an era of labour negotiation from the days of Jack Adams, perhaps a golden age in the eyes of Devellano.

Kind of instructive as to the mindset of these negotiations at the moment, if such a term can be used for two sides that seemingly stare at the answering machine and dodge each others calls.

For the moment however, to rephrase Mr. Devellano if we may, with the dispersal of the NHL's cattle to the distant farms in Europe and beyond, the Commissioner it would seem is "ALL hat and NO cattle".

The Full Devellano can be found below.

Detroit Free Press-- NHL fines Red Wings for comments calling players 'cattle'
Detroit News-- Red Wings fined over comments by Jimmy Devellano
National Post-- NHL doing itself no favours in battle of Public Opinion
Globe and Mail-- Cattle crossing offers Gary Bettman a timely diversion from NHL lockout
Toronto Star-- Red Wings fined for exec's unauthorized comments

Packing Parachutes with the NHLPA

One aspect of an NHL labour dispute which perhaps doesn't actually resonate with the fans at home is the concept of players actually on a picket line.

Already we have seen some strange things in this dispute, the league teams which are of the opinion that the current CBA doesn't work, were in a Mad Max rush to sign up their stars and even some lesser names to long term contracts under the old and seemingly "broken" system.

Then, with the lockout on the final countdown, players were dispatched to the minor league outposts, which we imagine makes must see TV this year destined to come from such locales as Oklahoma City, Peoria, Abbotsford and St. John's to name a few.

Over at the NHLPA offices, the first order of business it seems is to find a good travel agent able to find a quick and affordable travel voucher to the Old World.

Unlike your average worker, the lumber yard hand, paper mill worker or the folks toiling in a mine for instance, the NHLPA's options provide for some European travel, the prospect of time away from the NHL to be spent in the KHL, the Swiss League or any other European host, all no doubt eager to add some star power to the usual migration of former US or Canadian college or junior players, still seeking to carry on their hockey lives for a few more years.

While the "stars" live the lives of the Griswold's of European Vacation fame, the very real fact is that by their arrival to sit in for a while, any number of migrant workers of hockey may soon be without a job.

Which somehow you might think goes against some kind of union protocol somewhere.


. Clark Griswold and the family, for all their  travelling faults, never cost anyone a job when they made their European jaunt. A situation that the stars of the game may very well create, and one which could have been avoided.

Considering the rather large salaries that we are talking about in this dispute, surely with just a wee bit of previous financial planning all of the NHL's A List, could have handled a little bit of idle time while the two sides supposedly work towards a deal.

As well, by their quick and apparent eager quest to find alternative work in Prague, Bern, Mocow et al, the collective stand seems a wee bit diminished back here on the front lines of the labour wars.

Without the likes of the big names to provide for the face of the dispute, the picket lines if such a thing should ever come to pass in a hockey dispute, will seemingly be left to the third and fourth line players who couldn't it seems grab a share of the Euro money being bounced around.

And while they have every right to pursue their occupation wherever they wish, the optics of the current airlift to Europe isn't a particularly great one for the NHLPA or for its membership.

Making your stand, while taking away the livelihood of those that didn't quite make the bar of the NHL isn't exactly the best way to push forward your talking points on fairness and all of that...


USA Today-- Locked-out NHL players continue European exodus
TSN-- Locked Out NHL PLayers looking to Europe for Opportunities
SF Gate-- NHL player's exodus to Europe begins
Winnipeg Free Press--- Frustration builds in NHL Lockout as more players head to Europe
Montreal Gazette-- Locked out NHL players eye work in Europe
Sports Illustrated-- NHL Lockout: Players heading for Europe, KHL
Ottawa Sun-- NHL players rush for jobs in Europe during lockout
Toronto Star-- Will Sidney Crosby sign with a European team? Time will tell, his agent says
New York Times-- As NHL Lockout Begins, So Does a Likely Exodus of Players to Europe

The Lock Out: Thirty Shades of Fall Out

As the NHL, the NHLPA and those forgotten folks, the fans settle in for the first phase of the fourth NHL labour disruption in hockey history, we check in around the league's member cities, to see how the whole situation is playing out where the team's are based.

There is of course, no shortage of opinion around the league as to what led to this latest disruption and what if anything can be done to make it short, bringing hockey back to to town as soon as possible.

We'll begin our tour above the 49th parallel, seeking out the commentary of the league's seven Canadian members, before heading south for the view from the 23 American locations where the NHL calls home.

Canada

Montreal

Americans and Bettman have stolen Canada's game
NHL Lockout: What happens now?
"It sucks for business" near Montreal's Bell Centre

Ottawa

Senators let NHL do the talking on lockout's first day
Another lockout could bit Bettman on the behind
Lockout hits home for new Senators defenceman Marc Methot
Sens' staffers hit hardest by NHL lockout
Ottawa area prospects head to AHL as NHL lockout looms

Toronto

The most unnecessary lockout of them all
Players launch public relations offensive
NHL gets lockout message across to fans
Bars and stores lose in NHL lockout
Maple Leafs assign 22 players to Marlies, won't lay off staff
Day 1 begins with no end in sight
No hockey a windfall for networks

Winnipeg

Don't shed tears for locked out Jets
Don't worry, Jets fans: True North paying back ticket holders for lockout
True North presents options to Jets season-ticket holders
And so it begins, hockey fans
Jets ship 13 men to AHL IceCaps
Jets will fly together

Calgary

Calgary Flames faithful gird for season without hockey after NHL lockout
Lockout could influence Iginla's future with Flames
Last lockout took big toll on Flames
Eerie silence surrounds Dome as lockout takes effect
Lessons of the past ignored as players lament work stoppage
As lockout looms, Flames' Edwards a key figure for the NHL

Edmonton

NHL lockout 'hard to swallow': Dubnyk
Oilers RNH looking forward to OKC
Oilers assign 26 to OKC
NHL, players union begin PR battle as several Oilers move down to AHL
NHL, NHLPA send messages to fans
NHL players need to quit the guerrilla warfare...

Vancouver

Time to turn off the hype and  hypocrisy
Bettman's mess smells like the last one
No hockey: NHL officially locks out its players as CBA expires
NHL, NHLPA reach out to fans, but not each other on first day of lockout
Hockey Night not in Canada

USA

New York

Backward-thinking NHL shoots itself in skate
Owners' avarice steers league to lockout
No progress as first day of NHL lockout comes, goes
NY Rangers may have to make power play to prevent another lost NHL season
NHLPA message: 'This is an NHL Owners Lockout'
NHL message: New CBA is attainable through focused negotiation - not through rhetoric'
As N.H.L. Lockout Begins, So Does a Likely Exodus of Players to Europe
No Deal in N.H.L. Dispute as Lockout Deadline Passes

Long Island

Officials: NHL Lockout could cost LI economy $60 million in revenue
NHL locks out players at 12:01: a. m. Sunday
Isles assign players to Bridgeport, junior teams

New Jersey

NHL locks out its players as labor pact expires
Answers to the burning questions surround NHL's dispute with its players
Devils assign Adam Henrique, Adam Larsson, 22 others to Albany (AHL)

Buffalo

As lockout starts, it's no business as usual
And so it begins - lockout puts NHL season on ice
Sabres loan Foligno, 19 others to Rochester
Money issues, again, threaten NHL season

Boston

Fans now in wait mode
No progress as Day 1 of NHL lockout comes, goes
Shutdown defense stops NHL's momentum
NHL Players signing to play in Europe following start of lockout

Pittsburgh

Penguins' Morrow rips Bettman
Pens' employees safe from layoffs... for now
Without labor peace, some Penguins look for work
Pens' Crosby all in line with NHLPA
Penguins have no layoff plans despite lockout
Recent lockouts in pro leagues offer a window into the business of sports
NHL Lockout won't curtail workouts for Penguins

Philadelphia

NHL stalemate is an insult to the fans
Locked-out NHL players eye Europe
In NHL's cold war, Russia gets MVP
NHL officially locks out its players
Most fans blame NHL owners
Timonen: "Afraid it might take a while"
Fedotenko signs in KHL

Washington

NHL lockout leaves fans in the cold
NHL owners trying to turn back the clock
Lockout starts, end is uncertain
A lockout could be avoided - if both sides are willing to get a deal done
NHL lockout 2012: Players contemplate their next move
Without new deal, NHL locks out players

Carolina

In midst of lockout, NHL sends out contingency plans
For lockout veterans, not deja vu but disbelief
In midst of NHL lockout is eeire silence

Florida

NHL lockout might slow Florida Panthers' surge
NHL reaches out to fans
Locked Out: Florida Panthers, Champion Kings with Most to Lose?
Sunday No Funday: NHL Locks out Players for Third Time since 1994

Tampa Bay

NHL locks out its players
As sides dig in, hockey is about to freeze
Stamkos weighing his lockout options
Bolts' frustrations grow as NHL lockout looms
Tampa Bay Lightning players weigh options for lockout
Tampa Bay Lightning fans protest as NHL Lockout arrives
Labor histories of four major North American pro sports
NHL lockout Q & A

St. Louis

Bettman betraying loyal hockey fans
Bettman's lockout will give you the Deja Blues
Blues, NHL release statements regarding lockout
NHL contract expires, Lockout starts

Nashville

NHL lockout shows no sign of quick fix
Lockout leaves Nashville Predators on ice
It's no surprise: Money at heart of NHL labor troubles
Predators show little need for NHL's latest lockout with last minute deals

Detroit

NHL lockout: It's time to vent
With no talks set, lockout could last
NHL seeks to mitigate damage as lockout begins ...
NHL Players digging in, but owners have upper hand
Detroit bars, sports fans worry about impact of NHL lockout
Red Wings veterans know the lockout drill
Answering the NHL lockout's biggest questions
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg makes plans for lockout
Wings' Pavel Datsyuk will make decision soon on playing in Russia

Chicago

NHL lockout: In hockey fight, players are right
Blackhawks hold informal practice
NHL lockout might send players overseas; fan fest postponed
NHL Lockout would cause future shock for Blackhawks youngsters
NHL players hold informal workout in Chicago
Blackhawks detail plans for season-ticket holders
Blackhawks postpone fan festival
NHL owners lock out players
NHL fans want hockey, not Bettman's promise
The No Hockey League - again

Columbus

First day of lockout yields no progress
Blue Jackets must wait for redemption
Negotiations at a standstill as lockout begins
Agreement seems long way off
Bettman speaks from owners' hip pocket

Colorado

Latest lockout testing the limits of common sense
No progress as Day 1 of lockout comes, goes
NHL Lockout looms, putting league on thin ice
Thoughts on the coming NHL lockout

Minnesota

The NHL goes dark once again
NHL CBA expires, lockout begins
It's official: NHL players are locked out
NHL and Wild issue message to their fans
How the lockout affects the Wild
Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau likes NHL union chief Donald Fehr
Minnesota Wild 'support league's position' in locking out NHL players
Minnesota Wild to pay fans 10 percent interest on lost season tickets
Fans should walk when NHL comes back

Phoenix

NHL Lockout here, hopes fade
NHL lockout hurts fledgling NBC Sports Network

San Jose

San Jose Sharks' Logan Couture close to signing with Swiss team
All quiet on NHL lockout front
Issues and no answers
NHL locks out players
As NHL lockout looms, stakeholders brace for the worst
Douglas Murray on NHL lockout "I understand it's tough to understand as a fan"
Latest salvo in lockout PR battle

Dallas

Cold War: Stars' season is on ice as NHL locks out its players
Stars owner Tom Gaglardi writes letter to Stars fans
So how much do legacies of Don Fehr and Gary Bettman figure into NHL negotiations?
Stars and Kari Lehtonen are a great match
What you need to know about the lockout
NHL locks out players as sides hold no talks

Los Angeles

Plenty of action on first day of NHL lockout but no labour negotiations
National Hockey League locks out players amid labor deal rift
Commissioner Gary Bettman says owners unanimous in support of lockout
NHL good at getting labor negotiations wrong
Stone Cold Lockout
NHL's lockout message to fans

Anaheim

NHL lockout leaves young players puzzled
Latest work stoppage begins in NHL
Ducks gather, but future looks dim
NHL lockout would affect more than players, owners