Might be no NHL hockey in Oct 2005

[ktang 34]

Replacement players fades as an option for NHL owners

[Eazy_b97 1]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=122214&hubName=nhl

kind've odd to see these statements come so soon after talking to the Leafs :)

[Chadd 916]

Goodenow wants a deadline, he loves dealing at deadline time. The NHL won't give him a deadline. Look what happened last time they gave him one. The PA made huge concessions and the owners pulled back and demanded more.

Pick a friggin deadline and take the best deal you can get. That goes for both sides.

[Hkydog 0]

Why does this not surprise me?

[Fury of One 6]

I have to admit I am happy the NHL seems to have agreed w/ no replacements.  In my opinion, that is not the right route to go.

I agree. I'm not going to pay already ridiculous ticket prices to watch minor leaguers or no names play hockey. Nothin' against their talent, but it's a totally different game.

[ktang 34]

The NHL GMs were supposed to return to the NHL meeting with 6 scenarios; perhaps their market research for their respective fan base showed that they would not have had enough fans interested in watching replacement players. This is a good thing for the NHLPA.

Bettman said that he has been instructed to reach out to Goodenow and meet with the NHLPA 2-3 times per week for the next while until a deal gets done. If I were Goodenow I would take this as a sign of weakness.

So, it could be back to the siege of the last season, with a flurry of proposals and counter-proposals just before an ESPN decision date or a Feb 2006 season cancellation date. I wanted the NHL to try the replacement league starting in Oct 2005, and whether it failed or not it would have brought an end to all this.

[Modo22 0]

I don't even know what to think anymore. To avoid frustration I dont even visit Hockey News sites anymore. 10 years from now the NHL will either not exist or be better than ever. I am shocked that nothing has happened to Bettman. What are die-hard Canadians view on him??? Does he have secruity follow him?

[Modo22 0]

I don't get their thinking. Hate both of them at this point

I hate both of them right now. It does not have to be this hard.

[Tanner23 0]

im just glad theres no replacement players but i remain hopefull that hockey is back in october