Grapes on replacement players

[Jim Bob 0]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=117019

"I hope there isn't but if there is and I hear any player criticize a replacement, they're going to get it from me," he said.

"Talk about hypocrites. They go over to Europe, 400 of them, and take those jobs. As far as I'm concerned all those guys over there are scabs."

[ktang 34]

Well, he's consistent.

I've had a problem with NHL players' going to Europe or going to lower levels and taking away jobs. I guess that's OK while they are locked out, but if / when they are striking later, should they be working elsewhere?

[GekigangarIII 0]

I don't have so much of a problem with *some* of the players going over to europe to play, mostly the young talented players. They need to keep their game up, and to be quite honest, if there was no nhl it's where they'd be playing anyway. Namely I'm thinking of guys like Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Nash, etc. Heck, most of them have already played on these teams...

[ktang 34]

I also saw some of his other comments on Sportsnet (Canadian sports channel). Some of his other interesting observations (CORRECTED):

(i) It's becoming personal part I: players were making personal attacks on Ed Snider, calling him a liar etc.;

(ii) It's becoming personal part II: Ed Snider was quoted as not being allowed in meetings with the NHLPA because he would want to strangle Bob Goodenow; and

(iii) Because it's becoming personal, the owners are going for total victory this time instead of backing down.

[ktang 34]

Sorry, these were Grapes' opinions. But, Ed Snider was actually quoted by other sources saying that he was being kept out of the meetings because he would have strangled Bob Goodenow.

Grapes' point was that if it really is becoming personal for the owners they will unite to crush the union (instead of negotiating fairly), which is too bad for the fans.

[Jim Bob 0]

Neither are the petty insults that both have have been slinging at each other throughout this process.

[ktang 34]

Yup, there was definitely a deal to be made in Oct 2004, and then recently just before the double season cancellation. I thought that once the NHLPA made the cap concession and the NHL made the no linkage concession it would be all settled. Now all this mudslinging could make the two sides go for the total victory, even though this would hurt the victor as much as the loser.

I hadn't thought about the emotional element of it until I saw the Grapes interview, but now it's starting to make some sense.

[Stampede 0]

I really hope the NHL starts up with replacement players.

Define irony.......all the jobs those guys have taken over here in Europe, the same boys going back across the pond to take their jobs! Lovely stuff.

I can't work out the logic of the NHL players. Surely the money they have lost this year they will need to work for another 10 years to make that back?

In any supply and demand situation they will get paid what the "buyers" (the owners) are prepared to pay for the product. If they (owners) all want a cap then they are conciously limiting themselves to 2 or 3 superstars per team. Yes the skills of the greats are in very very short supply, but if that is all the buyers are willing to pay for it then tough on them.

However, what will potentially happen is the game will drop to 3 lines again as teams will not be willing to pay the same kind of money for grinders and goons. Of course these guys are a vital part of the game (and make a contribution to selling the game) but the super stars with the premium skills will be the winners with the $$$$$$$. The blue collar guy ends up getting the brunt of it. The grinders aren't suited to the European style of play (in general) so will end up busing it in the minors for very very little.

Made me laugh with the comments Steve Ott made the other week to the AHL coach who had won 3 Stanley cups, "yeah but how much money did you make?". When he's playing in the UHL I'd ask him the same question!

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

I agree. Who are the NHL players to complain about "scabs" when what they're doing equates to nothing better? They're pretty much doing the same thing.

What's also amusing is that some of them claim they can't live with a cap (then go play in a league that has one while trying to force the NHL's hand).

Or... they claim that they can't afford to make less than what they're making now (then head off to Europe and play at 20% of their current NHL salary).

Screw them. If scabs come to play, then the NHL players shouldn't bitch.

[Stampede 0]

Half salary!

The guys here in the UK will be "officially" earning probably $30-40k. So about 5-10% of current salary. Probably can't cover insurance.

Now with the goon Cairns getting his 2 year ban from UK hockey that will really promote their superstar image's!

My club hasn't signed a single NHL player and are still holding their own going into the play offs. London with Cairns and Scott Nicholl finished second to last. Nottingham with Boynton (who is class), Moran and McKenna finished mid table and are virtually out.

The 3rd/4th line players are proving that they are completely replaceable in a new NHL. The Thronton's, Jagr's, Forsberg's of this world will always be needed in the top flight of the game, as they are SUPERSTARS. The grinders are just proving their job could be done by half the players in the UK league. The defensive/trapping NHL, as long as your big, can skate and hold onto good players shirts then you can have a job.

As I said in my previous post, the Superstars will get the same money and the 3rd/4th liners will be the one's to suffer. Odd how all the vocal guys in the strike are the one's earning the decent money?!?!?!

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Yup. Rob Ray said as much in one of his early interviews.

[Adam91 0]

stampede I wouldnt say guys like Pierre Daginais or John Madden are making big money but in the NHL theres no such thing as not making decent money

[Chadd 916]

stampede I wouldnt say guys like Pierre Daginais or John Madden are making big money but in the NHL theres no such thing as not making decent money

Didn't madden just sign a $4m per year contract? He's one of the guys that would take a paycut. Not a star, not a major scorer. He would still be better off than most guys though.

The guys who have spoken out usually take back what they said once the reallity of a low cap is explained to them.

[Adam91 0]

or there pretty much forced or they " didn't understand the question"

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Anyone else find it funny/ironic that Bill Guerin is one of the head dudes on the NHLPA and bitched the loudest about taking a pay cut?

A 2 mil paycut to someone making $9mil is a lot more from a reality standpoint than $100k to someone making $400k.

(listen to me! Suddenly sympathyzing with someone who makes $400k?)

[Chadd 916]

or there pretty much forced or they " didn't understand the question"

I love it when athletes claim they were misquoted when they change their mind.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Not that alarming. The Union put a little Hoffa-like pressure on them, and then they come out a day later to say they were misuderstood or misquoted....