Don't ever diss Sakic like that! His comments are certainly legit. Lapointe for 5 mill/year? Jacobs is a bad owner...very much in the same mold as Wirtz. Thus, Bourque couldn't win a cup in Boston and had to go to Colorado. Thank you very much Jeremy.
Also, I'm not surprised that NHLers can't bring their A game all the time. They play far too many games and have to practice in between. Why else do they lose so much weight over the course of a season? As well, if Jacobs has a problem with stars taking nights off, just don't pay'em as much. Give'em what you think they're worth. But he obviously can't do that!
Oates is a very grounded person. He's absolutely right in that some players are sacrificing too much and are blindly following Goodenow. Accept a hard salary but don't concede the ruling out of bonuses. The players will still have a grand opportunity to make more money.
In the end, I dislike everyone involved in this lockout. I don't appreciate the fact that the owners won't form a significant economic partenership with themselves before asking for such a committment from the players. Moreover, I hate Bettman's lies and rhetorics ("we're doing this for the fans" BS). The owners are salivating over potential earnings much rather than seeking to reduce ticket prices. I'm also baffled by the fact the players are so strongly opposed to a cap. By conceding a cap, the players can still have their bonuses, lowered UFA age, amongst other perks. Both of these sides should be forced to negotiate via a mediator since they're all screwing us fans over. Finally, I'm most disillusioned with fans blindly supporting the owners. Us stupid fans don't realize how greedy the owners are being as well. They won't lower ticket prices because they're a function of supply and demand for the most part...not player salaries.