I am Pissed Off

[MNDylanFan]

Not that I really believed that they would be able to get a deal done, well at first I thought they would. But I still am so mad about it that I want to throw up! The game will no longer be the game that you older hockey fans knew and loved, we are clearly at a dark cross road here. In the words of one of my favortie singer...Its not dark yet but its getting there.<br><br>NHL ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF 2004-05 SEASON<br><br>NEW YORK (February 16, 2005) - The National Hockey League announced today that, because a new collective bargaining agreement has not been realized, it no longer is practical to conduct an abbreviated 2004-05 season.<br><br>NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement:<br><br>"Every professional sports League owes its very existence to its fans. Everyone associated with the National Hockey League owes our fans an apology for being unable to accomplish what is necessary for our game and our fans. We are truly sorry.<br><br>"Five months ago, I stated that the National Hockey League could not function without an economic system that will bring our League into the 21st Century. I said that our 30 Clubs were united in their dedication to an economic system under which the teams and players, sharing common objectives and a commitment to our fans' satisfaction, would work together as partners.<br><br>"The time since then has been devoted to the pursuit of that goal. Today, I can tell you that our determination remains every bit as strong as it was in September to secure the partnership required to protect and ensure the future of the League ... for the benefit of the Clubs, the Players, and our devoted fans.<br><br>"When I stood before you in September, I said NHL teams would not play again until our economic problems had been solved. As I stand before you today, it is my sad duty to announce that because that solution has not yet been attained, it no longer is practical to conduct even an abbreviated season. Accordingly, I have no choice but to announce the formal cancellation of play for 2004-05.<br><br>"We profoundly regret the suffering this has caused our fans, our business partners and the thousands of people who depend on our industry for their livelihoods. We will continue to explore and pursue all available options in order to achieve a successful resolution to this dispute and to get the best game in the world back where it belongs -- on the ice, in front of the best fans in the world.<br><br>"As I also said in September, what we must do now is not about the present or the short-term needs of this season. Rather, it is about the future of our League and 30 teams.<br><br>"The National Hockey League was formed in 1917, and it has played a season through to a championship in every year but 1919. Through the decades and the generations we have faced a variety of crises and challenges -- some of which seemed catastrophic at the time. The League persevered through all those adversities and the League will persevere through this one, as well -- to emerge with a framework for the future, one that is fair to everyone -- where our players are fairly paid, receiving what we can afford -- no more, no less.<br><br>"This is a sad, regrettable day that all of us wish could have been avoided." <p><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>You wouldn't think to look at him, but he was famous long ago</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></p><i></i>

[Gamblin D]

Ditto what MNDylanFan said.<br><br><br>And for pete's sake, if the NHLPA was going to cave on the Cap issue, why didn't they do it earlier like in December so the other details could be ironed out by now.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >: --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/mad.gif ALT=">:"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[Northboy26]

Wow i have been watching the NHL seance the good ol' age of 3 and now they take it away from me bastards<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START >: --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ns/mad.gif ALT=">:"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> .I mean no more high-light reals, no more amazing goals, no more outstanding saves. What is this world coming to. <p></p><i></i>

[TpsHockeyman17]

wut makes me mad is that they wont play for a million here in USA but they will go over and play in the european leagues for like half of what they would make with a salary cap and they can make a fine life from a million dollars there doing something they enjoy and personnaly i think that they are over paid to start with <p></p><i></i>

[Wolves Player]

That's a pretty good point TpsHockeyman17 i agree <p></p><i></i>

[Northboy26]

i think all pros are over paid i men who needs 91 million a year (labron james). I also agree your doing something you love, PLEASE BAN ME i would play pro hockey for free. 1 mill is deffenatly enough to make a good life. They shold be happy there playin hockey at all. <p></p><i></i>

[BlaineHockey21]

I know a few guys from the nhl and it is more of a "dont let them break the union - lets break the owners thing" than it is about the money. I mean, really how hard would be it be to get a deal done. Is making an extra 74,000 a year a big deal to these guys. Not really. To us if we made that in a year, some of us in 2 years it would be great. Look at it that way. You would consider yourself very wealthy if you made that much. Funny thing is- its probably less than that for over half the guys. This is what they are fighting for?<br> <p></p><i></i>