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irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
 Posted - 02/06/2008 : 20:46:16
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Poll Question:
Gary Bettman took over the NHL as commissioner in 1993. Is the NHL better now than it was prior to his reign?
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Edited by - leigh on 02/09/2008 10:49:19
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irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 20:50:19
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What I am wondering, do you feel Bettman has bettered the NHL or not?
Whether it be he's made it more exciting, faster, you name it. How is it better?
Is it worse? How so?
* This topic is not for the sake of the topic, I am very curious as to what others think on this. Bettman has changed the NHL a great deal. But is it better for the game? Better for the players, the fans?
Irvine |
Edited by - irvine on 02/06/2008 20:50:54 |
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willus3
Moderator
Canada
1948 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 21:26:00
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Better than before 93? An emphatic NO!!
I'll expand on it tomorrow when I have more time.
"Curiosity killed the cat but for awhile, I was the suspect."
-- Steven Wright |
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irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2008 : 00:40:42
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So few votes. Perhaps I should put "Crosby" in the title. May pick up. :D
Irvine |
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MSC
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
601 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2008 : 01:49:53
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| Most people on this forum aren't familiar with the pre 93 NHL. |
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PENSFAN8771
Rookie
USA
114 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2008 : 09:03:04
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2 Penguins cups before he took over, none since. end of story. Bad.
But in all seriousness, I feel that he has tried to make the NHL more "marketable" and has utterly failed while taking the game further and further away from pure hockey. He bumbled the lockout and cost the NHL countless fans and dollars. Hockey is now less marketable in the US than anytime in the past 4 decades and has lost its status as one of the big 4 sports. It's really sad what Bettman's actions and inactions have done to the NHL.
Also, I feel the league has inadequately marketed young talent besides Crosby. I love the kid and I think he is the best young player in the league, but he isn't the only good young player in the league.
Some playoff games not even close to capacity.
Defending Stanley Cup champions not increasing attendence when they travel.
Teams moving to "bigger" markets with fewer fans.
The glowing puck on FOX.
Hockey no longer on FOX, ESPN, or really any national outlet in the US except NBC a dozen times a year and VS, which only reaches a fraction of US households.
Locking in a long term VS deal that will keep hockey out of US living rooms for the forseeable future.
The list goes on and on and on . . .
It's not all Bettman's fault, but it's all happened since '93. |
Edited by - PENSFAN8771 on 02/09/2008 09:17:15 |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2008 : 09:05:46
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Better than before 93, I agree with Willus, not a chance.
However, I think that in the past 5 years he has made steps to repair the err of his ways. The new CBA and new rules brought the trap more out of the game and gave way to a more free wheeling NHL. I find it more fun to watch.
That being said, I feel the talent pool isn't deep enough to have 30 teams. The NHL over-expanded and has done nothing to repair that. Look that the NFL. There are at least 10 other American Cities that could potentiall handle an NFL Franchise, but they rarely if ever expand. Why?? Because they have a very strong competative league that they do not want to water down.
So, Mr. Bettmen $h!t the bed in the early 90's and has about half way fixed his mistakes. Is there anyone out there than could do a better job?? I doubt it. You have to remember, Bettman may be at the head, but he doesn't have sole decision making power in the NHL.
All that being said, NHL hockey was better before Bettman's reign. |
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leigh
Moderator
Canada
1755 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2008 : 10:59:12
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Agreed Beans! The current NHL needs to be less teams. Too many teams in markets that don't want them. He's trying to force a square peg into a round hole at a huge expense to the real fans (tickets, merchandise etc) I'm not saying that it shouldn't be this big at some point...just that the NHL tried to grow too fast. The product got watered down.
Although, other than the shootout, I do like a lot of the game changes they have made since the lock-out.
I think that a smart commissioner would put the majority of their marketing dollars into grassroots programs and grow the league from the ground up! Engage more kids at a young age and give them a love for the game. What I am saying is that through subsidies make hockey less expensive and more attainable for average families. Now there is a thesis paper for some of you younger university students on our boards! |
Edited by - leigh on 02/09/2008 11:01:58 |
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Leafs Rock Planet
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 02/09/2008 : 12:02:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Leafsfan_94
hes an idiot leave it at that
Why do I have a feeling that you dont have any evidence to support your statement.
I also see that after I post this that you quickly delete your post LF94. |
Edited by - Leafs Rock Planet on 02/09/2008 16:27:10 |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 09:44:12
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| I have no use for the little basketball freak at all. You fella's have for the most part given all the reasons that I would have expounded on. Scoring is down since the new NHL and the trap is not dead by any means. Everyone connected to the game is just afraid to say the word. The Canadian game that we all grew to love has been changed forever and his furer like rule over everybody has not bode well for the game. Everybody is afraid to speak out and let their emotions go for fear of reprimand and because of this, interest in the game has dulled. The three point game sucks big time and shootouts are nothing less than a carnival act. The play of the games should be dictated by the players on the ice instead of some paper rule book. His over bearing forcefullness has got all people connected to the game marching in single file like a military drill team with everyone afraid to make the smallest of flinches for fear of reprimand by Bettman and his puppet officers. I personally liked the old game and the characters who were a part of it and liked the games settled on the ice instead of in the boardrooms. I liked our Canadian game, period!!!!!! |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 10:16:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Antroman
I have no use for the little basketball freak at all. You fella's have for the most part given all the reasons that I would have expounded on. Scoring is down since the new NHL and the trap is not dead by any means. Everyone connected to the game is just afraid to say the word. The Canadian game that we all grew to love has been changed forever and his furer like rule over everybody has not bode well for the game. Everybody is afraid to speak out and let their emotions go for fear of reprimand and because of this, interest in the game has dulled. The three point game sucks big time and shootouts are nothing less than a carnival act. The play of the games should be dictated by the players on the ice instead of some paper rule book. His over bearing forcefullness has got all people connected to the game marching in single file like a military drill team with everyone afraid to make the smallest of flinches for fear of reprimand by Bettman and his puppet officers. I personally liked the old game and the characters who were a part of it and liked the games settled on the ice instead of in the boardrooms. I liked our Canadian game, period!!!!!!
This is the part that I just love. Blame Bettman, it's all Betmann's fault!!
It's like blaming the Prime Minister for the decisions of the country when there are 303 people that involved in the decisions. But it's all the Prime Minister's fault.
Gary Bettman needs approval from the board of directors of the NHL in order to do anything. Each team has a rep on the board, and if I recall it is normally the owner of the team or a rep of the owner. So you are blaming him for the decsions of others. He can bring in an idea, but if the owners and board do not like it, it doesn't happen.
The NHL commissioner is elected and he has the responsibility of dealing with arbitration between team, interpreting the rules, and dolling out punishment. That's it!!
Anything else has to be approved.
So, if you want to blame the deterioration of the game on anyone, blame it on the owners of the teams. Yet, without those owners you would not have a sport to complain about.
Kind of inronic, isn't it??? |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 10:29:05
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The first year after the lockout the NHL set an attendance record. This tells me that the NHL must be going in the right direction. It took baseball a few years to recover from their strike, and it is "America's Pastime"...
Just because Bettman reports on an issue does not mean it was his idea...there are 30 owners, and they all have a vote, as Beans stated it is not all up to Bettman...
Is the league waterd down, are there two many teams? This is what the salary cap is for, their will be parity amounst the teams, and every team, all 30 will have a fair chance at the Stanley Cup in the future...
Champions take chances, and pressure is a privilege.
Billy Jean King to Maria Sharapova
http://www.maldesigns.ca/top50since1967.htm
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 11:01:24
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But Beans . . . just like the prime minister, he can greatly influence others to support his decision. Politicking is just as big in the world of corporate sports, and the leader has the most sway.
No, Bettman isn't to blame for everything - heck, it's not that bad, really. I don't blame the strike on him, I blame it on the reps for the union. I certainly don't blame the trap on him. I don't blame the loss of Winnipeg to him either (wait - was that before The Count? Forget it, I'm rolling).
But I do blame the unnecessary expansion, the stifling of any chance that Hamilton has of getting a team, the shootout, the glowing puck, the retarded schedules, the terrible marketing. A leader chooses the right people to give direction to the league; Bettman has failed on most counts . . . well, he is The Count.
grade: F
(merits expulsion)
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 11:33:47
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
But Beans . . . just like the prime minister, he can greatly influence others to support his decision. Politicking is just as big in the world of corporate sports, and the leader has the most sway.
No, Bettman isn't to blame for everything - heck, it's not that bad, really. I don't blame the strike on him, I blame it on the reps for the union. I certainly don't blame the trap on him. I don't blame the loss of Winnipeg to him either (wait - was that before The Count? Forget it, I'm rolling).
But I do blame the unnecessary expansion, the stifling of any chance that Hamilton has of getting a team, the shootout, the glowing puck, the retarded schedules, the terrible marketing. A leader chooses the right people to give direction to the league; Bettman has failed on most counts . . . well, he is The Count.
grade: F
(merits expulsion)
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug
You are not correct here. Simply put, the owners do what is best for their respective teams. Perfect example, the schedule. At last years meetings, Bettman wanted the schedule change. What happened?? It got voted down, basically by teams in the east.
You can blame all you want on Bettman, but each OWNER has a vote.
How many votes does Bettman have??????
ZERO!!!!!
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 15:50:24
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| Which part of my post don't you fella's understand? Gary Bettman is a dictator and all dictators surround themselves with yes men while they work their ways within the system. Yes, the owners get to vote on major changes but I wonder how many of them are swayed in their voting by their fears of crossing the little curmugeon. Look what happened to Basille and his plan to move the Preds to Hamilton..... not what Gary wanted so Gary certainly put the screws to that didn't he? I'm sorry but prior to the lock out the game was better and I don't give a flying donut if the small market teams in the U.S. fail. They probably shouldn't be there in the first place. Toronto's equalization payments to these poor franchises is ridiculous. Our Canadian money is being sent to a U.S. team in Hooterville for what? Communists couldn't write a better script than this one. I thought this was a free capitalist country. We make scads of cash that we can't spend to improve our own club because of a stupid salary cap and equalization goes to fund the Hooterville Hucksters. They can't even watch their teams on TV for crying out loud. What exactly are you guys defending here? |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 17:50:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Antroman
Which part of my post don't you fella's understand? Gary Bettman is a dictator and all dictators surround themselves with yes men while they work their ways within the system. Yes, the owners get to vote on major changes but I wonder how many of them are swayed in their voting by their fears of crossing the little curmugeon. Look what happened to Basille and his plan to move the Preds to Hamilton..... not what Gary wanted so Gary certainly put the screws to that didn't he? I'm sorry but prior to the lock out the game was better and I don't give a flying donut if the small market teams in the U.S. fail. They probably shouldn't be there in the first place. Toronto's equalization payments to these poor franchises is ridiculous. Our Canadian money is being sent to a U.S. team in Hooterville for what? Communists couldn't write a better script than this one. I thought this was a free capitalist country. We make scads of cash that we can't spend to improve our own club because of a stupid salary cap and equalization goes to fund the Hooterville Hucksters. They can't even watch their teams on TV for crying out loud. What exactly are you guys defending here?
There is one serious flaw in logic of this post. BASILLE WAS NOT AN OWNER!!
And Antro, answer me this. On the board of governors, how many members are named Gary Bettman?
Owners do what is best for their team, not the league. Again, I will go back to the schedule. A team like Detroit voted against the schedule change. Why? To keep thier own costs lower and to keep the travel for their players lower. Even though the majority wanted to restructure the schedule, the board votes based on their own team's wishes.
Last time I heard, Bettman did not have a vote on the board of governors. And no one is defending anything, I am just saying put the blame where it is due. |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 18:00:42
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Don't shoot the messenger...
Just because he anounces the news from the NHL does not mean that it was all his decision. Beans is right, he is not on the board.
Jim Balsillie is not as smart as he thinks he is. He should have kept his mouth shut, and he may have had the Nashville team in his pocket now. The first thing he said was that he was going to move the team after he had purchased it. Well it is not up to Bettman, it is up to MLSE if they want another team in their area...
[img]http://www.maldesigns.ca/top%2050%20since%201967%20banner.jpg[/img] |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 22:42:30
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| Hey Guys....Lets just call a truce on this thing because we are not getting each other's point at all. I realize that individual owners do what is best for their respective fanchises. I wasn't born yesterday. Everybody does what is right for themselves as long as they can get away with it......we are all the same in that regard. Bettman is the figurehead so he gets the blame. That is just the way it is regarding all corporations and any other way. I can't debate something when you are telling me something I already know. My posts are what they are. If you want to defend the guy then help yourself. Perhaps to clarify I should have said Bettman the Commie and his little band of American team owners. My view is still the same regardless. |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 22:50:55
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| Secondly here.......Detroit probably used that poor desolute me excuse because they wanted to stay in that weak division of theirs. They have to uphold their 'Hockey Town" moniker somehow. Every time they come into our area they get their butts kicked!!!!!! |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 06:28:54
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If we are talking about Detroit, and the schedule change the vote to stick to the original schedule was the right vote.
The schedule was made for three seasons. The vote was to finish the current three year stint then look at it again, and either stay the coarse or ammend the schedule, so each team plays each other at least once.
The only reason anyone complained about the schedule was this season no Canadian teams from the East play any from the West.
When a coarse of action is taken why are there so many undermining schemes that people think of that influenced the vote?
[img]http://www.maldesigns.ca/top%2050%20since%201967%20banner.jpg[/img] |
Edited by - PuckNuts on 02/12/2008 06:29:21 |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 09:13:09
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quote:
Originally posted by PuckNuts
If we are talking about Detroit, and the schedule change the vote to stick to the original schedule was the right vote.
The schedule was made for three seasons. The vote was to finish the current three year stint then look at it again, and either stay the coarse or ammend the schedule, so each team plays each other at least once.
The only reason anyone complained about the schedule was this season no Canadian teams from the East play any from the West.
When a coarse of action is taken why are there so many undermining schemes that people think of that influenced the vote?
[img]http://www.maldesigns.ca/top%2050%20since%201967%20banner.jpg[/img]
My understanding was that the vote was for changing the schedule after the 3 year rotation, which was originally voted down. It was then altered and then re-voted on at the next meetings.
Detroit voted no both times, as did Montreal if I recall clearly. |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 11:19:13
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| Gary Bettman casts an icy pall over the entire NHL which subconciously pervades over all NHL employees. All being owners, officials, players and coaches. His all encompassing grip over the entire game including it's people is becoming legendary to the point it will be his legacy for many years to come. His own and main mandate is to sell and promote the game in the U.S. to a people that don't give a hoot about it except in a few isolated markets. To date his track record in that regard has been abysmal. While trying to mastermind this end he has torn the Canadian heart right out of the game from which we will never recover. I have no compassion whatsoever for this person and it absolutely turns my stomach when some of you try to defend him. |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 12:16:43
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| Hey Puck, nice shot but the Leafs have nothing to do with the truth about Bettman. Your opinions are highly regarded as usual even if I do not agree with them always. Simply put, the little man does make me want to vomit and I'm sure I'm not alone as the poll attests. I remember when this league was not an on going soap opera and was run without prejudice and high handedness, like it is now. If you want to defend him, that is your choice of course. I personally can't wait to see him topple from his throne and the sooner the better although I think the damage has been done and the game and the league will never be the same. I am starting to hope Ottawa wins the cup this year, as much as I dislike them, because for me it would be the equivalent of a poison arrow shot right through the heart of Sir Bettman. It would be his worse nightmare to see a Canadian team win the holy grail!!!!!!! |
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willus3
Moderator
Canada
1948 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 12:29:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Antroman
I am starting to hope Ottawa wins the cup this year, as much as I dislike them, because for me it would be the equivalent of a poison arrow shot right through the heart of Sir Bettman. It would be his worse nightmare to see a Canadian team win the holy grail!!!!!!!
Do you think Bettman would allow the refs to let that happen?  
"I broke a mirror in my house. I'm supposed to get 7 years of bad luck but my lawyer thinks he can get me 5."
-- Steven Wright |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 12:46:12
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| Hey Willus, If it did happen, I am sure you would soon hear the sound of hammers erecting a gallows for the two officials out behind League Headquaters. |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 13:11:20
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Beans - the owners do what is best for their respective teams - true, to an extent. That isn't excusive to Bettman having a lot of sway over their decision making . . .
Bettman has a very large influence on the direction of the NHL. I've seen it for myself, as he screwed up in the basketball world, and he is screwing up here in very much the same way.
But clearly, I won't change your mind on Gary "The Count" Bettman.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 13:37:52
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I have a very hard time believing that the entire NHL is against a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup...
Do you think you can keep all the Refs, linesman, and video judges quite as they sabotage the game we all come to love. The NHL cannot keep a secret if they tried, the media would be all over it...
Of coarse it gives us something to complain about, as we all know there has to be something wrong...
The only thing I do not like is the shootout, what is wrong with a tie?
Just think if someone else was running the league it could be in a lot more trouble than you think...
[img]http://www.maldesigns.ca/top%2050%20since%201967%20banner.jpg[/img] |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2008 : 21:53:59
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| Hey Puck, I do not think their is a secret plot per se but those officials have got to be subconsciously aware that they don't piss off the leader or his hired men. It has to be in the back of their minds constantly and affecting their judgement accordingly. Zany things just kept happening to my team all season long and it happened just too often for it to be a coincidence. I can't comment on the other Canadian teams because I don't see every single game like I do with the Leafs. This is the reason everything came to a boil in Carolina last week? The pot had been slowly heating up over the whole season before the lid blew off in that game. Back to topic........That was pretty presumtuous of you to think that nobody else could do a better job than Bettman? How about I make a suggestion......Hire a Canadian guy that knows a little about this game of ours called hockey!!!!!!!! |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2008 : 12:36:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Antroman
Hey Puck, I do not think their is a secret plot per se but those officials have got to be subconsciously aware that they don't piss off the leader or his hired men. It has to be in the back of their minds constantly and affecting their judgement accordingly. Zany things just kept happening to my team all season long and it happened just too often for it to be a coincidence. I can't comment on the other Canadian teams because I don't see every single game like I do with the Leafs. This is the reason everything came to a boil in Carolina last week? The pot had been slowly heating up over the whole season before the lid blew off in that game. Back to topic........That was pretty presumtuous of you to think that nobody else could do a better job than Bettman? How about I make a suggestion......Hire a Canadian guy that knows a little about this game of ours called hockey!!!!!!!!
You said it yourself, you do not see all the other Canadian teams play.
If you only watch Leaf games then you will think that the Refs are against them. if you watch other games you will see the same hooks that are called, not called, goals that are miss judged, it is all perception, but only watching Leaf games gives a false impression...
[img]http://www.maldesigns.ca/top%2050%20since%201967%20banner.jpg[/img] |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2008 : 20:39:28
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| HEY PUCK, I can't believe how you manage to come up with things like "I only watch Leafs games ". That is not what I said for crying out loud. I said that " I don't see every other game like I do with the Leafs". I am a hockey fan and watch most all the games that are televised into my area. I watch every Leaf game because they are my team. I have to admit you are the best at misinturpreting things in a column to serve your own purposes. I have seen all the Canadian teams play on numerous occasions but I have not seen them all because I can't get every single game. I can get every single Leaf game. DO YOU GET IT? Gary Bettman Sucks. Instead of trying to buttonhole me why don't you try telling me what is so damn good about him? I think enough of us have tried our best to convince you that the little weasel is no damn good. Now which part of this post do you not understand this time? The gist of what I was saying is that everyone is on their toes and subconciously bending in his direction without possibly even realizing it. Why don't you try to reply to that instead of picking things out that are irrelevant to the topic for a change. |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 06:42:27
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I highlighted your comment, so if you are saying something different I am really sorry...
You can hate Bettman all you want, but that does not mean I have to hate him. In fact I think that he has been the best leader the NHL has ever seen, and If you don't like it that is your problem, and you have to deal with it...
[img]http://www.maldesigns.ca/top%2050%20since%201967%20banner.jpg[/img] |
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ThorntonisTHEMAN
PickupHockey Pro
499 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 07:10:19
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| no he hasn't made it better! that was proved over the past two years when a very rich man named Jim Balsillie from Kitchener wanted to move first the Penguins, then the Predators to either Kitchener or Hamilton. Bettman shut both ideas down, where both Kitchener or Hamilton would be able to support a hockey team much better than Pittsburgh and Nashville. especially nashville! so Bettmen, swallow your pride, admit that putting a team in Nashville was a bad idea, and let the Preds come to Canada! |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 07:33:29
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Did Bettman shut the ideas down on his own, or did the Board of Governors vote them down? Remember Bettman is the messenger...
Jim Balsillie should have not mentioned that he wanted to move either team. He could have purchased them, then in a few years lobbied to have the teams move.
The problem is that Toronto will not allow another team in their area, that includes Kitchener, and Hamilton, and that is not Bettman's idea...
Edmonton was just sold, and there was no mention of the team moving, that was easy...
[img]http://www.maldesigns.ca/top%2050%20since%201967%20banner.jpg[/img] |
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ThorntonisTHEMAN
PickupHockey Pro
499 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 07:47:55
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i will agree that Balsillie should not have talked about moving either team. but with that being said, i am nearly postive that the board of governors had approved the sale but bettman dropped the axe on it.
as for the Leafs situation, if a team would move to either Kitchener or Hamilton, the team would have to pay the Leafs some amount of money for being in the vicinity. if there would be a team in Hamilton, then they also would have to pay the Sabres. however, the Leafs would not have a say in whether or not the team could move or not.
not to mention, another team in Southern Ontario would be the best thing to happen to the Leafs. they would be forced to put a competitive team on the ice, as fans in Southern Ontario, and in Canada as a whole, would have another Canadian team to cheer for, making the Leafs a lot less popular unless they started winning. |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 09:03:26
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The sale of the Nashville Predators never reached the NHL Board of Governors for a vote.
Jim Balsillie said he would move the team to Hamilton, and had already started taking season ticket deposits. The current owner Craig Leopold said that he would do his best to keep the team in Nashville if he was to sell it. Since Balsillie’s intent was to move the team Leipold had instructed the NHL not to consider Balsillie's application to purchase the team…
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ThorntonisTHEMAN
PickupHockey Pro
499 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 09:42:33
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that is true. however, for the penguins purchase, Bettman decided that he was going to control the purchase of the franchise. meaning, that Ballsillie could buy the team but could not move it out of Pittsburgh. At this poing, Ballisillie had talked a little bit about moving the team but mostly had claimed his commitment to the city of Pittsburgh and was only going to move the team if a deal for a new arena could not be made. yet, bettman decided that he was going to control the purchase.
i do not think Bettman is the worst thing to happen to the NHL. i do not think he is the best thing that's happened to the NHL. i do believe that he has to stop trying to expand the NHL and include more teams, but should rather remove some struggling franchises. i mean, honestly, hockey in Kansis City? RIGHTTTT!!
"I'm not dumb enough to be a goalie."
Brett Hull. |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/14/2008 : 20:10:08
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Hey Puck are you saying you like the salary cap, you like losing the U.S. TV coverage on ESPN2, you like a dictator who is trying to turn our game into basketball, you like someone who is my way or the highway? I could go on with this a little longer but I am still waiting for you to tell me what is good about him?
What would you say if you were to open a business and built it up to be a very successful and prosperous business and then one day somebody came along and told you that you could not invest in your own product anymore and on top of that told you that for the well being of others you were going to have to share your hard earned profits with other lesser corporations who are supposed to be your competition. Are we not a free enterprise capitalist nation? This is the work of a Lenin Marxist Communist. If anyone tried to pull this crap off in any other business in this country could you imagine the backlash? We would have a full scale revolution on our hands. Then, how does this little Commandant get away with this in hockey? The Toronto Maple Leafs are a successful and prosperous business. It is one of the richest sports franchises on the planet but we are not allowed to spend our own money to improve our product and to add insult to injury we have to give our Canadian money, which we have earned, to support other teams in the same business as us down in Hooterville U.S.A. Where is the justice in this? You ask me why I have no use for Bettman? Try this question on for size........Why does a professional sports franchise like the Pittsburg Penquins, who have been blessed with Stanley Cups, and had some of the greatest players like Lemieux, Coffey and Sidney have a need to support their franchise by incorporating a bloody Gambling Establishment? I think you all know the answer to that one.
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ThorntonisTHEMAN
PickupHockey Pro
499 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2008 : 05:15:30
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Antroman, I see your point. But as a baseball fan, rather, as a Jays fan, i only wish that baseball would impliment the salary cap. The Jays have a decent team every year but they cannot compete with the spend-at-will Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in the ultra competitive AL East. Now if you are a Red Sox or Yankees or Mets fan, of course you don't want the salary cap. But if you are any team that has to try and compete with these teams, you would want the salara cap implemented so that teams would all have even footing and a fair chance for the playoffs.
The same goes for hockey. If you are a Leafs fan, of course you don't want the salary cap because the Leafs have money. However, the salary cap does even out the playing field. Take a look at the Eastern Conference. At this point, there are 13 teams that have a legitimate chance at making the playoffs. Even the Leafs and Lightning aren't out of it yet. (up for debate)
I guess my point is, the salary cap does make the playing field even for all teams and forces teams to develop players from within their system, instead of buying players in every offseason and it makes for much more competive hockey
"I'm not dumb enough to be a goalie."
Brett Hull. |
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PuckNuts
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2414 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2008 : 06:44:32
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Antro if you feel that Bettman is a dictator that is you prerogative, but if you understood how the NHL is run as in most business then you would see that he is not a dictator...
I think that the salary cap is great for the NHL. Parity amongst the teams, what a concept. In fact it has helped teams like Toronto decrease their salary since its inception...it was voted in by the Board of Governors...
The NHL has lost the ESPN contract, but there will be others, and I have not heard any team's or fans in the USA complain about losing this contract...
As far as supplementing the poorer teams, remember the board of Governors voted it in. But the teams getting a hand out will not carry on every season. They will be helped financially less each season, and they have to show an increase in revenue, or one sell, or two relocate.
Bettman, and the Board of Governors cannot please every owner, every player, and every fan in the game. There will always be someone who is not happy…
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Edited by - PuckNuts on 02/15/2008 07:08:25 |
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Antroman
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
537 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2008 : 09:59:31
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| Hey Beans and Thornton, great imput on this topic. Too bad all the topics aren't as topical or as interesting as this one. I too am a major fan and collector of the Bluejays. I understand the frustration with teams like the Yanks and the Red Sox because for them it is win at all costs. Their owners are also fans and hobbyists and as a result, they don't care how much they pay out as long as they win. Of course they don't always win but unfortunately both of these franchises are in the Jay's division and that makes it doubly tough for us to succeed. Someone in life and in sports is always setting the bar and it is up to everyone else to crap or get off the throne. As Bob Dylan once sang, "You better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone". That said, I guess there is a parallel to be drawn between those ball teams and the plight of the Maple Leafs. The team is being hancuffed by their own mismanagement and the rules set forth in the NHL which keeps them under wraps and under the thumb, making the task of recovering from this mess a forbidding chore and almost impossible to unravel. I think you all should be able to understand my level of frustration in this regard. I will say that regardless, I do not retract anything that I have said about Bettman or his band of greedy owners. The will to make all the teams equal is totally ludicrous and not at all right in this free world of capitalism that we live in. If you can't stand the heat in Hooterville, get the heck out of the kitchen! Get rid of some of these poor cousin teams and let the successful ones survive and then you will have a true competition for the Stanley and not some boardroom chess match. |
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Gary Bettman - Is the NHL better? 
