not quite yoda
Registered User
Buffaloed said:It'll happen a lot sooner than that. Look for the NHL to declare an impasse by late April so they can hold a draft and avoid all the problems that will happen if they don't. The players will be under extreme pressure as they watch teams being assembled for the 2005-06 season. Plans will be made to shift games of teams in provinces that don't allow replacement players to provinces that do. The NHL has been scrupulous about not using impasse/replacement player threats or discussing it publically as it's evidence negotiating was not done in good faith. Bettman's assurance that there will be a season next year is practically a guarantee that they have a plan laid out, and realistically they need to implement it at least 30 days before the June 1st signing deadline for players selected in 2003.
This is a very sensible argument.
However declaring impasse and getting to replacement players will take time with all the litigation through the courst. I am afraid it may take much time, if it works out at all.
Also, the fact that labour laws in Quebec and B.C. disallow the use of replacement workers scares the **** out of me. Wether the NHLers ever come back or it is a diluted product for years, I certainly don't want any cities to lose their team over this.
Does anyone know the specific situation under which the NFL was able to use scabs?