NHL 2 99:Screw U

[DarkStar50 679]

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports...oac8s3mWFAIODLL

Nice job again by the NHL front office.

[CAmmon 2]

This is a shame. The NHL needs new management in the worst way.

[chippa13 1844]

What exactly does not attending the Hall of Fame inductions do for Gretz?

[furlanitalia 1]

So after Gretzky helped make the sport popular in the states, generating millions (if not billions of dollars) through the expansion, the league can't throw 8.2 mil his way? Despicable.

[DarkStar50 679]

What exactly does not attending the Hall of Fame inductions do for Gretz?

Give him a night off from being the face of the NHL as he has been since 1979.

[flyers10 57]

He would have also got zip if Balsillie won. Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes was paying him millions to coach a team(with no coaching experience) and to help sell tickets. Fans don't go to games to watch a star coach, they want talent on the ice, field etc. Gretzky's face sold some tickets for about 1-2 years and then the fad wore off. For how well he did as a coach he has pocketed way more than any other coach. Some of the Coyotes players in the summer season would remark how he would show up to the game, grab his suit jacket and leave. No pregame talk, strategy, etc. Supposedly he really only coached 50-75% of the time. I love Gretzky but the whole Phoenix thing was a debacle. Phoenix or wherever they end up is better off with Tippet.

[shotty 7]

He would have also got zip if Balsillie won. Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes was paying him millions to coach a team(with no coaching experience) and to help sell tickets. Fans don't go to games to watch a star coach, they want talent on the ice, field etc. Gretzky's face sold some tickets for about 1-2 years and then the fad wore off. For how well he did as a coach he has pocketed way more than any other coach. Some of the Coyotes players in the summer season would remark how he would show up to the game, grab his suit jacket and leave. No pregame talk, strategy, etc. Supposedly he really only coached 50-75% of the time. I love Gretzky but the whole Phoenix thing was a debacle. Phoenix or wherever they end up is better off with Tippet.

i heard somewhere that gretz was actually on NHL payroll as well as coyotes.. as they thought it was important for him to still remain associated with the game on a public level.

moyes wasn't on the hook for 100% of his salary.

[RadioGaGa 162]

The HodgeMail question on TSN today is: "When Gretzky returns to the NHL in what capacity should it be"

I've heard some sports shows musing about another Coach or maybe a GM job...but am I alone in thinking there is no better person to be Commissioner of the NHL than Wayne. He's played on Small Market teams (EDM, STL)...Large Market teams (LA, NYR)...he's been the most skilled guy and had 'goons' employed to protect him, so he understands that dynamic...and the role of that type of player. He's been a Coach and an upper management guy (both without huge success...but he has sat on that side of the desk).

He doesn't come from another sport (Bettman-NBA)...he has lived through this League at it's best and worst...And, he's been involved at teh INternational Level (both as a player and Manager). With the IIHF/NHL fight coming prior to the next Olympics, he'd be an interesting person to have a huge say in who plays.

???

Maybe I'm just nuts....but the line starts here, IMO.

WAYNE

For

COMMISH

[Chadd 916]

When the Penguins owed Mario money, Bettman made sure he got the team. Then again, Mario was the largest creditor.

[floatingice 0]

Not a fan of Bettman. There is just something a bit like a rat.

Can you imagine being coached by him though? Awesome.

Then again I wonder how well he can explain things.

The things that come naturally to him are not the same as... anyone else.

Wayne deserves better, especially a better team to coach. Phoenix just doesn't have the talent to win.

He put himself out there, unlike guys like Patrick Roy which have been a little more careful in their return.

[Chadd 916]

I'd love to see Gretz become the new Executive Director of the NHLPA. :)

That might be the only situation that is more dysfunctional than the Coyotes.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

I'd love to see Gretz become the new Executive Director of the NHLPA. :)

that'd be about the only thing that could fix that org. He's got pure hockey cred, and is an ambassador versus a suit. they can hire extra lawyers for their negotiations and shit, but IMO, they need someone like Gretz to do it. I thought about Bobby Orr, but he's got to be making too much bank as an agent.

[camhockey16 5]

who would make a better commisioner? gretzky or mario? although i don't think mario would have any interest in that job