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sahis34
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
591 Posts |
 Posted - 01/06/2012 : 16:36:26
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The madness has been stopped.
"The National Hockey League announced today that it will not move forward with implementation of the Realignment Plan and modified Playoff Format recently approved by the NHL Board of Governors for the 2012-13 NHL season because the NHLPA has refused to provide its consent.
"It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a Plan that an overwhelming majority of our Clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including Players," said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. "We have now spent the better part of four weeks attempting to satisfy the NHLPA’s purported concerns with the Plan with no success. Because we have already been forced to delay, and as a result are already late in beginning the process of preparing next season’s schedule, we have no choice but to abandon our intention to implement the Realignment Plan and modified Playoff Format for next season."
"We believe the Union acted unreasonably in violation of the League’s rights. We intend to evaluate all of our available legal options and to pursue adequate remedies, as appropriate."
As a result of the League’s decision today, the NHL will maintain its current alignment and Playoff Format for the 2012-13 season."
(from nhl.com)
Go OILERS Go!!!
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Guest0262
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Posted - 01/06/2012 : 21:20:53
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The NHLPA stated as one of the reasons being the equality of chances of making the playoffs between the larger and smaller conferences.
Maybe the players are all crazy too like myself and sahis34 and think that there is this math to it which doesn't quite add up. But we all know that math is irrelevant here though right?? 
Best move the PA has made. |
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Statman
Rookie
Canada
125 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2012 : 21:29:18
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| Yes, you guys are crazy. |
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fat_elvis_rocked
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2012 : 22:02:15
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I've been wondering from the start why they didn't simply switch Nashville and Winnipeg, better geographically for Nashville I would think, and certainly better for Winnipeg. The divisions stay the same, except Nashville in the Southest and Winnipeg in the Central, easy, no?
Two teams affected and no change to playoff structure or scheduling.
I'm sure this has been mentioned and thought of? |
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Guest2978
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Posted - 01/06/2012 : 22:26:14
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I know there is a better chance of growing another eye but, personally, I yearn for the days when the top 16 teams made the playoffs period. 1 played 16, 2 played 15, etc, etc.
I would love to see the league figure out a format where this could happen again. At least then there would be no more barely over .500 teams making the playoffs just because they lead a weaker division etc. Plus, I think it would lead to more league wide rivalries making more intense games throughout the season (like Oilers/Islanders back in the day).
But the NHL is a business now more than anything so, unfortunately, that will probably never happen. Too worried about travel schedules etc etc rather than what may be exciting, or interesting, for the fans. |
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polishexpress
PickupHockey Pro
525 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2012 : 23:20:36
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Totally agree with Guest 2978.
Sahis, enough with the math thing, simply agree to disagree.
The issue here is not about "fairness" or "too much travel"
Those are code words for: "Hi, I'm Donald Fehr, I'm the head of the NHLPA. You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"
I think its this is more political posturing from both sides to see where each stands, and what they can get away with. (Bettman wants it his way, and Fehr wants to show that he is no powderpuff)
Though there are legitimate issues with travel and "fairness" it really is a drawing of the battle lines before CBA negotiations begin.
The line in the sand is drawn... |
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Porkchop73
PickupHockey Pro
640 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2012 : 06:04:17
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Clearly the union felt a need to send a message to the league.
The union is telling Bettman you will no longer be able to do what you want without the union being involved and having a say.
My guess is that even though the league invited the union to be a part of realignment talks the league had no intention of listening to them. Usually when that happens the union will do something that says "hey, were still here and you need to listen to the people who make your money for you".
Going to be interesting going forward. Bettman has gotten his way on everything with little resistance. Fehr is a seasoned union head who knows how to make unions effective. Bettman should begin his normal whining anytime now. |
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sahis34
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
591 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2012 : 13:35:04
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quote:
Originally posted by polishexpress
Sahis, enough with the math thing, simply agree to disagree.
Dude I've stopped with the math thing, which I do not mention here. Read the post's before you reply.. FYI it's hard to agree to disagree with people who deny facts, that's why I don't argue with creationists. |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2012 : 14:37:34
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quote:
Originally posted by fat_elvis_rocked
I've been wondering from the start why they didn't simply switch Nashville and Winnipeg, better geographically for Nashville I would think, and certainly better for Winnipeg. The divisions stay the same, except Nashville in the Southest and Winnipeg in the Central, easy, no?
Two teams affected and no change to playoff structure or scheduling.
I'm sure this has been mentioned and thought of?
WPG to the west, and either NSH or CBJ to the east - I've been saying that from day 1 as the easiest and least impactful move. But why would the NHL do something the easy way? |
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Guest1451
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Posted - 01/07/2012 : 20:36:20
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| Would any other major sports league consider having conferences with different numbers of teams? Man every year I think that the NHL can't get any more ridiculous and every year I am wrong. At least it seems that the players are smart enough to see how stupid this plan is. I think they engineered this whole thing because Detroit so badly wanted to go to the East but for the life of me I cannot figure out why the NHL would care what Detroit wants. What I would like to know is why the league is pushing so hard for what is clearly a stupid plan? Is is to get Ovi vs. Crosby 6 times a year or is there some other reason I'm not picking up on? Maybe somebody else can shed some light on it for me. |
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NHLPA denies realignment plan 
