So a babysitter, I mean mediator has been called to sit in on the NHL/NHLPA lockout talks. If I am George Cohen, the federal mediator assigned to this farce, I am taking a tape recorder simply for the purpose of sharing his recordings over a few beers with his buddies. The laughs will be enough to last a lifetime.
Seriously, are the players' association and owners this dumb? Is it really possible to destroy a league that is making record profits and garnering unprecedented attention this easily? The NHL and NHLPA are damn well trying.
It seems that mediation may be the only option remaining at this point to salvage a 2012-13 season. I'm not saying it will work, but this is better than no talks at all.
However, it should never have reached this point. The purpose of this lockout is not about the future of the game. As painful as the 2004-05 season-cancelling lockout was, at least it had a true purpose. The NHL needed a salary cap and it needed it immediately. The owners are simply trying to screw the players out of millions and vice versa and blah blah blah this time around.
The diehard fans should not stand for this nonsense. Ever.
Therefore, I propose two options to make the NHL pay for its sins. Will it work? You never know until you try.
Option 1 (if a season is salvaged):
Diehard, casual, and corporate fans alike should stage a boycott of games for a full week. Empty arenas, no TV ratings. No fan shall purchase any NHL merchandise in a store or online. And yes, this included foam fingers. No NHL hockey period, in person or on TV.
It will be difficult for the diehards, but a message must be sent.
Assuming Gary Bettman is still the commissioner, fans shall boo him so loudly during the Stanley Cup presentation that no one can hear him speak.
If this doesn't work, then it's time to hit the league where it hurts the most. Perhaps a petition to the NHL's top corporate sponsors for them to boycott will get their attention.
After all, it's true! The NHL really doesn't care about the fans. They care about their sponsors and the almighty dollar.
Now, if the season is cancelled, here's option number 2:
A NEW LEAGUE.
Needless to say, a league with significantly lower ticket and merchandise prices.
New leadership, new CBA, a fresh start. The NHL's name will be so sullied, it will be beyond repair. The sport needs to start over. Fresh. Clean slate.
Take all existing NHL franchises, move the Panthers, Blue Jackets, Coyotes (despite their new arena deal) and Predators to Seattle, Portland, Hartford, and Canada. Let's face it, the NHL's southern expansion didn't work. Other than Dallas and maybe Tampa Bay, fan interest doesn't exist. Valiant effort, Gary. But no cigar. The sport should be back where it belongs.
This new league should stage TWO winter classics per season. One in the U.S., and one in Canada. The Winter Classic is primarily responsible for the NHL's resurgence after the 2005 lockout. The casual fan loves the outdoor game. It should be mandatory to hold at least two.
The league should have a hard salary cap with six year contract limits.
Teams should be awarded three points for a win, two for an overtime/shootout win, and one for an overtime/shootout loss.
Here's how the teams should be allocated. No conferences, just divisions. If there's one bright idea Gary Bettman has had recently besides the Winter Classic, it's the proposed new/old playoff format.
Lemieux Division
NY Rangers
NY Islanders
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Washington
Tampa Bay
Carolina
Orr Division
Boston
Montreal
Toronto
Columbus (moved to Hartford or Nova Scotia)
Buffalo
Ottawa
Florida (moved to Quebec City)
Nashville (moved to Hamilton, ON or Toronto)
Howe Division
Detroit
Chicago
Minnesota
Winnipeg
St. Louis
Dallas
Colorado
Gretzky Division
Los Angeles
Anaheim
Phoenix (moved to Seattle or Portland)
Edmonton
Calgary
Vancouver
San Jose
In the playoffs, the first two rounds will be divisional semifinals and finals. The league semifinal matchups will be based on point total from the regular season. Then, most importantly, the winners play for the Stanley Cup.
Simple as that. A fresh start for the greatest game in the world with grander rivalries and better play, all under a fair business model for both players and owners. Most importantly, a wonderful and fulfilling experience for the fans.
Hockey deserves it.
Now, on to Week 12's Five Things:
1. The Giants not only served notice they are back, but can easily win another Super Bowl. They KILLED the Packers Sunday night.
2. Norv Turner should have been fired on the spot after his team allowed the 4th and 29 play to Ray Rice. Seriously, how does that happen to any NFL team?
3. Jets fans can whine all they want about Fireman Ed abandoning them, but the person that should care, owner Woody Johnson, won't. He is still paying his PSL to attend games.
4. If the Seahawks truly lose their two starting cornerbacks to a 4 game PED suspension, their playoff hopes are done.
5. Now that Colin Kaepernick is the Niners' starting QB, despite Jim Harbaugh's "explanation" about his role, the pressure to win a Super Bowl is through the roof. And frankly, they'd better. Poor Alex Smith.
See You At the Canyon Of Heroes after this Super Bowl! NY Giants vs Miami
Top 5
1. Houston
2. Atlanta
3. Baltimore
4. San Francisco
5. NY Giants
Bottom 5
32. Kansas City
31. Oakland
30. Jacksonville
29. Philadelphia
28. Tennessee
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