Hab-a-maniac
Registered User
On the whole, not just this mb, the PA and its members have taken a real beating for their stance. But my beef with this view is; honestly, what would it have taken for the PA to capitulate to save the season? I mean, they'd have to give up pretty much every leverage point to whatever the NHL wanted and let them be tossed around at the negotiation table. What union in any sport, let alone any job, would ever do this? This is why I feel the NHL is more to blame for the problems than the NHLPA. Sure, Goodenow is a snivelling lawyer jack@ss but what does that make Bettman, Karmanos, Wirtz, Jacobs, etc.? Look through the history of pro sports and labour in general and you'll see that those with money do whatever the hell they want with that power and only when real opposition arises do they have to give in. Even then, they try to get their way on everything. It's called capitalism. And it seems the NHL wants their capitalism (small-market owners limiting their own losses, big-market owners not sharing with others) and their communism (all teams are equal, all players can only make a certain amount, limitations on earning galore).
Unfortunately, ever sport and business comes to this scenario eventually. I also think it's misguided to challenge the players heart and intensity as if it makes them wretched peoeple. Critics say they play the game half-assed, it's all about money, they dog it out there, they don't give back to the community. Sometimes this criticism comes from old timers. But they seem resentful of the situation because of the players' earnings. Heck, I'm sure there were NHL alumini who were resentful as heck toward guys getting huge contracts in the 70s such as Bobby Hull and Marcell Dionne. Difference now is that too many average players make substantial coin. Sure, pro hockey players get paid a lot for what they do but they have to work just as hard as joe schmo whose a garbage man. I sympathize somewhat when those folks say "I'm a garbageman, I work hard at my job and I don't make that kind of money. You don't see me complaining" (well that in itself is a complaint). But do 20,000 people show up to watch you and your co-workers compete in your job while wearing your team (and sometimes your individual) apparel while millions watch on TV and people talk about the events incessantly? No, so realize that hockey/sports is a job on a greater magnitude; it's entertainment.
People who entertain get noticed and therefore deserve their money. Sure, not every competitor is going to go at it 100% but I've worked jobs where I see a lack of effort by people and they're getting paid the same as me!!! Well, they might not enjoy the job obviously. But maybe some hockey players get bored/upset with their job. It's a rough thing out there. Some guys can't handle being policemen, firefighters or paramedics for too long because of the toll those occupations can take. And there are jerks everywhere that no one in the general public will ever know about. But if those jerks are pro athletes, they'd better watch what they do and say because in that position, you've got be careful. The criticism you get comes with the territory in entertainment, especially sports. But when average people do criticize, they should try to understand it from other points of view rather than be selfish and deem it wrong as long as it offends you, screw all others! So it works the same in every day stuff as it does on a grander scale.
Unfortunately, ever sport and business comes to this scenario eventually. I also think it's misguided to challenge the players heart and intensity as if it makes them wretched peoeple. Critics say they play the game half-assed, it's all about money, they dog it out there, they don't give back to the community. Sometimes this criticism comes from old timers. But they seem resentful of the situation because of the players' earnings. Heck, I'm sure there were NHL alumini who were resentful as heck toward guys getting huge contracts in the 70s such as Bobby Hull and Marcell Dionne. Difference now is that too many average players make substantial coin. Sure, pro hockey players get paid a lot for what they do but they have to work just as hard as joe schmo whose a garbage man. I sympathize somewhat when those folks say "I'm a garbageman, I work hard at my job and I don't make that kind of money. You don't see me complaining" (well that in itself is a complaint). But do 20,000 people show up to watch you and your co-workers compete in your job while wearing your team (and sometimes your individual) apparel while millions watch on TV and people talk about the events incessantly? No, so realize that hockey/sports is a job on a greater magnitude; it's entertainment.
People who entertain get noticed and therefore deserve their money. Sure, not every competitor is going to go at it 100% but I've worked jobs where I see a lack of effort by people and they're getting paid the same as me!!! Well, they might not enjoy the job obviously. But maybe some hockey players get bored/upset with their job. It's a rough thing out there. Some guys can't handle being policemen, firefighters or paramedics for too long because of the toll those occupations can take. And there are jerks everywhere that no one in the general public will ever know about. But if those jerks are pro athletes, they'd better watch what they do and say because in that position, you've got be careful. The criticism you get comes with the territory in entertainment, especially sports. But when average people do criticize, they should try to understand it from other points of view rather than be selfish and deem it wrong as long as it offends you, screw all others! So it works the same in every day stuff as it does on a grander scale.
Last edited:
