richardn said:
I really doubt that half the players will cross the picket lines come september. Doing so would seal their fate and give no negotiating power in the future or destroy the union all together. If the NHL had no union we would all get to see what these owners are all about and I don't think it would be pretty.
What would possibly make you doubt that? More then half the players can easily be replaced, and I'm sure they realize that when replacement players come in, there is no guerentees on their jobs. Look at each team; I'll do Calgary, for those players who risk losing their career:
Lombardi, Kobasew, Weimer, Nilson, Niemenen, Gelinas, Donovan, Clark, Yelle, Weimer, Ritchie, Montador, Commodore, Ference, Warraner, Reinprecht.
That's 16/23 players. I'll suspect that due to respect for Darryl Sutter (as many players have turned to Sutter for help and guidence) Simon, Regehr, Kiprusoff and Turek would cross as well.
Break the union? Of the Flames, only Iginla would care.