The NHL announced today that because of the lockout, the entire preseason schedule has been canceled. Games had previously been canceled through Sept. 30. For the Kings, it means that the following preseason games will not be played…
Oct. 1 vs. Anaheim at Honda Center.
Oct. 6 vs. Anaheim in Ontario.
Oct. 8 vs. New York Rangers at Staples Center.
Next up on the chopping block, of course, would be the start of the regular season. For the Kings, that would be the Oct. 12 home game against the New York Rangers. There have been published reports that the league and players will resume talks tomorrow in New York, but certainly no indication that a resolution is soon to arrive.
There is no chance that October 12 game happens. This news is not surprising, but it’s still sickening.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@Eric K, Well said.
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UglyinLA Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 10:21 am
@Eric K,
As frustrating as this lockout is, there is some solace. I was listening to NHL Home Ice on SiriusXM and they were talking with David Booth and another NHLer about the impact of the delay.
They both said that it was to the Kings advantage that the season is starting late. It gives more time to recover and ramp up physically. Also, the Kings goalie, Quick, had off-season surgery and is not 100%. This delay gives him more time to recover. Thus, a delayed start gives the Kings a better change to repeat.
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Donald Fehr is a tuff cookie. I remember him from the last baseball lockout. He is going to do whatever it takes to get the players a good deal. Yes, the players stand to lose but they have options. The owners dont. I am sure they do not want a repeat from the last lock out.
Get a deal done and let’s move on. Hockey had so much momentum going for them.
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goes to eleven Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@Vince, The players have options? Sure they can always fall back on their engineering degrees, medical licenses, etc…Oh yeah. Their options are generally either play in Europe or work at Home Depot. And the owners would love a repeat of the last lockout. The players got crushed.
The players are relativists. The holdout is not about the money. It is principle. They don’t think they are making too little money; that would be ridiculous. Of course they are making plenty of money. They just don’t like how much the owners make. That sort of stance is absurd to me. They would rather make $100 as long as the other guy is making only $50 rather than making $150 if the other guy is making $160.
Neither side cares about the fans even though lip service says they do.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@goes to eleven, It isn’t that simple. There would never have been this argument over revenue if the OWNERS had not crammed it down the players throats in 2005 to get them to agree to a salary cap that should never have been put into place. Pay me fair market value for my services and I could care less what you or your company make. Make it MY problem that YOU are losing money even though I AM DOING MY JOB and tell me neither you NOR YOUR COMPETITION will ever agree to pay me more than a certain amount, then yes my attitude is going to change. Sorry owners, but you can’t have it both ways. Either you’re blaming the players for the fact you don’t like your revenues or you aren’t blaming them. If you aren’t, then you don’t need a cap. If you are, then they are going to tell you how to run your business since YOU are incapable of making your own decisions and continuing to have a smoothly running league.
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Stuart Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
@HockeyNerd, ahhhh… but the owners can and will have it both ways. No league without the teams… I wonder if any of them are willing to fold the league?
goes to eleven Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@HockeyNerd, But I think it is that simple. The players want what’s “fair” according to Crosby. Another player admitted it was about the principle. Okay. What is fair, Sid? Apparently not the deal the owners are offering. Sure the players want to tell the owners how to run their business. Who doesn’t?
And continuing to bring up how bad the players got beat in 2005 is irrelevant. That deal was done. Like any argument, if you bring up old wounds, the disagreement will be extended and worse.
And like Stuart said, the owners can and will have it both ways. That is the beauty of being the owner. Like my dad always used to say: “My house, my rules.”
Debra Turull Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@HockeyNerd, Yes the owners rule. The Golden Rule them that makes the gold, makes the rules. The owners have nothing to lose, they will just go back to making their millions without hockey.
luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@HockeyNerd, I have to agree, but its not the spending max cap that is the problem. The small market teams are getting killed by the minimum cap. I have posted it before but in 2006 the min cap was 22 mil/yr, and today its 54.2 mil/yr. Its doubled and I don’t blame the increased HRR its the fact that the Min to Max Range is fixed at 16 Mil/yr. The NHL would be in great shape if that Min/Max range was based on a % of the Max(First year Min Cap 23mil / Max Cap 39mil making the Min Cap at 58.9% of the max cap). Which means by this formula the min cap today would be 41.4 mil/yr not 54.2mil. Of course Bettman’s ego doesn’t want a change in that formula (Parity?). The Players don’t want the poorer teams to be able to reduce their player payrolls. So now we are stuck. With 2 sides at each others throuts.
luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
@HockeyNerd, 2006-07 above not just 2006. Also even under the current system owners should be able to rollback players salaries 12% just by spending only up to the average salary cap level? Oh, right they have no self restraint how foolish of me.
KingsATX Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
@HockeyNerd, The players will not break under Fehr. The owners “my house, my rules” mentality is definitely why we’re here, but they have no product without the players… and that house is vacant and apparently near foreclosure because “dad” is awful with the money. Sorry dad, you suck.
Yup…hope you didn’t buy tickets for opening night through a broker. If the Ranger game is re-scheduled to a later date. Your tickets will be valid for the future game and not for the opening night game which you probably paid alot for.
It is what I have been told that their policy is.
Game cancelled permanently = refund
Game re-scheduled = Tickets you purchased for opening night will be valid for future game whenever it takes place regardless of whether it is opening night or not.
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rable rable rable rable rable rable.
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Neil Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@Jamesonafterawin, BLAH>>>BLAH>>>>BLAH……Owners ARE allowered to make money right??? If you dont like it…buy your own team……Between no hockey and no Lakers on Direct T.V. …what’s a poor boy should do!!!!
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I’m shocked and horrified!! Well, not really. The one thing that holds this sport back in the number 4 position is the League and its idiocy. Don’t forget that Christmas is right around the corner and once I spend all my money on presents, there won’t be a whole lot left over for non-necessity like hockey.
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evan Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@DesertKing, IF hockey isn’t careful..dare I say it…but it could fall behind soccer on the pecking order.
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BringBackKingston Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
@evan, I read somewhere that the average attendance for the MLS is greater than the NHL.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 10:23 pm
@BringBackKingston, It better be. MLS stadiums are usually 3 times as big as NHL arenas. I believe Evan is speaking of sports polls or TV rating. MLB attendance per year dwarfs all other sports, but they are considered #3 right now on popularity polls and in TV Ratings. While College Basketball & Football have better rating than the MLB & NHL.
So the pre-season is flushed down the toilet, regular season games are following Very close behind, and very little to pretty much nothing is being done about it.
The NHL and NHLPA should be embarrassed and ashamed they let our sport come to this….AGAIN.
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Stuart Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@Sebastian, it’s our sport, but their league… I’m going to see some Reign games!
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DesertKing Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@Stuart,
Absolutely. Bought my kid a 9 game pack and looking forward to opening night on October 13. Go Reign Go!
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Gail Web Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@DesertKing, Hey us too going to opening night too, Reign my son even has a signed jersey he will be wearing there colors,(dragon) and they will have a free puck give away that night and also be lowering there champ banner, whooo hooo good thing I bought tiks in advance and with my refund on Oct 6th game a welome amount back to my bank
Oh well
DesertKing Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@Gail Web
We will have to meet up and say “hi” before the game.
Gail Web Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@DesertKing, Yes DesertKing we can make plans to see one another outside before go in, I will be there very early as the first three thousand fans gets free pucks, cool and a magnet too
Debra Turull Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
@Stuart, You’re lucky, we live on the central coast, no college hockey teams and no ice rinks!! Uck!
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This whole stalemate sucks fat tool.
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Wow. Back to watching boring Bakersfield condor hockey. The only games I’ll watch are when the reign come to town. Go Reign Go.
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Truck washed – check
Truck gassed – check
Kings jersey packed – check
Lucky shoes packed – check
Lucky shirt from 06/11/12 packed – check
Extra money to buy Kings souvenirs – check
Hotel reservations – check
Game tickets – uh, no check (where the heck are they, must be here somewhere)
Ding – EMAIL ALERT – Lets see what this about – “Your Frozen Fury event at the MGM Grand has been cancelled.”
Damn, time for a new list -
Truck washed – check
Truck gassed – check
Raiders jersey packed – check
Raiders gear packed – check
Hotel reservations – check
Southwest Airline tickets – check
Game tickets – check
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Gail Web Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@DesertKing, You are too fuuny
Go Kings Go!
(overseas)?
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DesertKing Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
@Gail Web,
Yes, Oakland is overseas in another country known as “No Cal.” It is a land of lawlessness and political corruption. But the area known as “Raider Nation” thrives as a diverse community with a singular goal of supporting the Raiders. The Raider Nation shares the colors of champions, silver and black, with anlther team of champions, the LA Kings. While No Cal is the home of Raider Nation, it is really a nice place to visit, but I wouldnt want to live there.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
@DesertKing, “Well son if you ain’t an alien, then you got a yourself a condition”
By Old Dude in The Avengers
This is not news, merely a formality. We all knew this was coming weeks ago.
We are all VERY angry and upset.
And in a way in today’s world of free agents, unions, salary caps, and mismanaged businesses, this is entirely expected. All 4 sports go through it every couple of years. We don’t like it, but it seems inevitable.
The thing I find absolutely unconscionable is the lack of urgency to get this resolved. They could at least be talking. They could lick themselves in a room until progress is made. They could ask for the services of a mediator who is impartial to either side. They could mean it when they say they are committed to negotiating 24 / 7. They could realize that publically telling the players that unless their offer is accepted it gets worse is NOT in any way, shape or form a tactic that will encourage talks.
They could do a lot of things.
But they are doing none of them. And THAT more than the actual lockout itself screams loud and clear as a message from the NHL to the fans: we don’t give a —– about you.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@HockeyNerd, “lock” themselves in a room. And I know what you’re thinking, and don’t even go there.
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Gustavo Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
@HockeyNerd,
LOL…EEEEWWWW
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puck73 Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@HockeyNerd, We are all angry and upset ? Ehhhhhhhh ! ( The Jim Rome manual buzzer) Not me. Believe it or not I could care less. The fact is Nerd, we are Stanley Cup Champions…still ! I have plenty of hi def DVR to prove it ! And guess what? It never gets old replaying it either !
As far as I am concerned, the players and owners can skip the whole season and it wouldnt phase me a bit. The fact is, their are still 29 other teams that want we got !
How does it feel to want, rest of the NHL !?!?
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DesertKing Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@puck73,
Besides, we still have MLS soccer
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Stuart Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@puck73, for the reasons you’ve mentioned, I very much feel the same way about things… if they don’t play so be it! Let them all eat cake!
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King Alex Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@puck73, We are the champions but as a champion, it would be nice to defend our title. The only thing a lost season amounts to is a lost season and every player is just 1-year older. Lots of our boys will be losing a prime year in their NHL lives.
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puck73 Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@King Alex, You make a good point Alex. Will I be excited if they announce the season is on tonite? Your darn Right ! I will be tuned in like the rest on this blog. Its really weird, usually I am chomping at the bit for the season to start, and always wanting to talk hockey with alot of the guys on this blog about what we need to get to the next level.
After finally winning the after following this team for 39 years, its been such a heavy weight lifted, that I guess I can relax, or just die in peace.
HockeyNerd Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@puck73, Having waited more than 35 years for my team to climbed the mountain I want nothing more than to see if they can do it again. And teach some of my friends about the game that jumped on the bandwagon a few months back. And go to a few games myself, something I couldn’t do the last couple of years and now can.
And a small handful of very stubborn and uncaring people are single handily taking all that away from me.
That’s why I’m very angry and upset.
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puck73 Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
@HockeyNerd, I get ya Nerd. To me, the owners got what they wanted last negotiations, and now their crying again. They keep complaining that the financial situation is bad, and yet they keep finding creative ways to circumvent the cap they begged for !
No money owners? Then how come guys like Kovalchuk, Parise, Crosby, and Suter just made a killing? They really look bad Nerd.
King Alex Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@puck73, I do see your point too Puck! After all these seasons of futility, having reached the mountain top and won the Cup, I can finally die in peace knowing I got to see the Dodgers win the World Series (I was even happy to see the Angels win one too), the Rams win the Superbowl, the Lakers win the World Championship and our beloved Kings win the freaking Stanley Cup! All in all, my sports life rooting interests have all been champions!
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
@King Alex, How deep did the dagger pierce your back, when Georgia Front’n'reary addressed the St Louis Super Bowl Parade Fans with “Thank You, to St. Louis and its Fans for its tremendious support, this would not have been possible with the support we got before coming here!”. I actually had a friend that flew up to St. Louis as happy as can be, and came back no longer supporting the Rams from that point.
luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
@HockeyNerd, Last night I posted how the NFL has a real commissioner. Scab Refs make calls that embarass and damage the integrety of the NFL. Instantly he acknowledges the mistakes and what should have happened while he negotiates a new deal with the real NFL Refs signed within 40 hours. I noted with the nature of gambling it was probably fear of law suits and deals/rule about later changing scores of played games that didn’t allow him to change the outcome of the GB vs Sea game.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
@luc20rules, I think, I may start a reality TV show. Filming insiders wearing “What would Bettman Do?” T-shirts.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
@luc20rules, Your last sentence is probably true. Nonetheless put Bettman in those shoes and not a chance in hell the same thing happens. Except maybe that he would fine every coach that complained about the decision $500,000.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
@HockeyNerd, This is what I posted last night.
One can only imagine how Mr Gary Bettman would have handled it. Probably admit no wrong doing by any NHL scab ref, then extend the scab Refs contracts for multiple seasons, and call off all negotiations with the real refs. We all know how he handled the missed call which determined the Stanley Cup *Champs *Dallas *Stars in *1999. Brett Hulls skate clearly in violation NHL rules was in the crease before the puck crosses the goaline in the 3rd Overtime of game 6 of the finals. Bettman despite clear video evidence said Hull’s skate was not in the crease before the puck went in. No further comment! Over the offseason the rule mysteriously is taken off the books, apparently postimously as of the last couple of seconds last years SC finals game 6 3rd OT.
**************************************** 1999 ********SC ***********Champs *******Dallas *****Stars
luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
@HockeyNerd, I know the limit is 52 Names, but could they go back and put 52+ Astriks in the 1999 Dallas Stars box on the cup?
HockeyNerd Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 8:50 pm
@HockeyNerd, I literally have a book with a list of Stanley cup winners that has a * next to 1999 and Says: in Game 6 with the score tied Bettman and League officials stopped play and awarded Dallas the cup.
Since there wont be a season to talk about, why not discuss trades of our dreams?
I wonder how much it would take to pry Stamkos away from TB. Possibly Bernier, Penner, and Gagne?
Too bad Yzerman isnt that stupid
I would definitely trade away richards to get Stamkos tho! Dude is the biggest beast in the NHL right now.
Imagine Kovy if he didnt have that ridiculous contract and he wasn’t a bust under pressure lol
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HockeyNerd Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
@Kings&Trojans, If TB would actually make that trade, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
But while this kind of speculating is fun for some people (and you’re obviously one if them and that’s fine) I really can’t get excited by that, especially when we just won a cup and literally everyone is coming back (or was before the lockout anyway). I want to see our Guys have little trouble in the regular season, win another cup and prove to the rest of the world that we’re not a fluke. The SAME guys. We’d all like a Malkin or a Crosby or a Stamkos playing for us but realistically what would you have to give up to get them? It ain’t gonna be cheap. And why would you disturb the chemistry of a team that not only just won a cup but steamrolled everyone doing it? Who would Stamkos center? Would he kill penalties? Would you play a much more open offense to accommodate a 60 goal scorer? If he played Center what would you do with Richards? The problem is that not only did we win the cup because of Brown, Kopitar, Doughty, etc., but also because of 3rd, 4th or even seldom dressed players who knew their roles and performed them perfectly. What I’m saying here is that winning a cup is not just finding the 20 top scorers or even 20 most talented players.
Now of course we all have players we like and would love to see here. I get that. But in the real world you don’t trade for a guy because you can or even because you want him, you trade for something you think you NEED. And I don’t see that we desperately or even somewhat NEED anything. Arguably we don’t have even one single superstar. And you know what? That may not be a bad thing.
Since I said I refused to play along then gave you a 4 paragraph rant I’ll offer you this: I’d dearly love to have Simmonds and Schenn back (although I don’t know what we’d do with Schenn at this point). Do you think the flyers would take Gagne, Bernier, Penner and Hickey for those 2? Lol.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:18 pm
@HockeyNerd, IMHO, I differ with anyone that says Quick is not already a superstar. Agree with getting Simmonds back, but he won’t be a 30+ Goal Scorer in our system. I also want this season badly we probably have a 8 year window to be serious contenders for more cups to just flush one saying we stay champs is just wrong. Maybe more or less depending on DL and how well he manages things and gets the important pieces to stay(sign hometown deals). With every title each player on the team that turns UFA is more valuable on the market.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@luc20rules, No question on Quick, and you can probably add Kopitar and Doughty is close. What I meant and should have worded a little more carefully: The guys we NOW have know they are not bigger than the TEAM. Kopitar is a point a game scorer, but he is also a Selke candidate. If Quick loses 1-0 on 50 shots against, he let the team down. If he wins 1-0 and stops the same 50 shots, he will tell everyone the guys won it for him. And not every 40 goal or 90 point scorer or goaltender is like that around the NHL. So why mess with it?
luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
@HockeyNerd, Your 100% correct we have team guys. By DL’s design. Bye Cammi
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Gustavo Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
@Kings&Trojans,
NO TRADES.
The only one I wanted here was Doan. I believe he was a good fit and he only cost contract money, not assets. Maybe Iginla, as long as he comes here cheap (Bernier or just one prospects). Nothing more.
I look at the strength and youth of our core and I don’t see the need to add anything more than some hungry veteran productive presence. Not the “super scorer that cannot play defense to save his momma’s life” like Stamkos or Kovy. But the solid, physical, character, all out every shift, stand up for his teammates forward that gets the youngsters thinking “if this old fart is playing his heart out, so will I”
Other than that, no trades.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
@Gustavo, It mute now, but my 2 problems with Doan is he wanted more than 2 years, and its not even that I think he will be too old by then.
1. We need to resign Brown in 2 offseasons, and I believe Mitchell(or Replacement) then too. I would rather take care of those guys then bring in an outsider that I have learned to respect, but despise.
2. We have young hungry guys with tons of energy and good hockey instincts in Nolan, Lewis, King, Fraser and Clifford so which 2 sit and don’t develop while Doan takes a bottom 6 spot.
Biggest Pro for Doan was if Penner & Gagne fail he is ready to assume a top 6 role.
Also too late was my answer on June 30, 2012 would have been Ray Whitney LW will sign for 2 years and far less money 2.5 to 3 mil a year.
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Once they announce 10/12 cancelled, I’ll be requesting a refund on my season tix.
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I see now on the ticketmaster website, they took off the whole October tickets not on sale for Kings, maybe they know something we don’t?
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HockeyNerd Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
@Gail Web, Nah. If hell freezes over they can always put them back on the site. 99.99% chance at this point nobody is playing, so why sell them and then deal with all the date changes and refunds? You know, a smart business decision. The kind Bettman and the owners never heard of.
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Dammit!!!! well I’m still going to Vegas anyway and I’m gonna walk around with my Kings garb on Saturday while visiting my friends at the MGM,%&*# we won the cup, we won the cup,yay!!!. If you see a drunk guy wearing a grey Kings shirt, that’ll be me.
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DesertKing Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
@LVKINGS88,
You da man!
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Just meet halfway and drop the puck already!!!!!!!!!
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@Everyone above: Maybe I am being very naive and am badly missing something but I don’t see why we need a minimum cap, maximum cap, revenue sharing, revenues tied in to salaries or any of that. Why does the NHL continue to propagate this absurd notion that the owners have to be protected from themselves? Let the free market do what the free market does. If an owner wants to pay everyone on the team $50,000 let them. If they want to sign Crosby for $100 million a year let them do that too. The richest teams would win all the cups like that? Hogwash. The Rangets overspent widely for 7 years straight AND NEVER EVEN MADE THE PLAYOFFS. Phoenix and Columbus and the New York Islanders would have to close up shop? Fine then. Where is it written that we MUST have 2 teams in New York or a team in Phoenix or a team in Columbus. The players do NOT want to have to tell the owners how to spend their money and it IS about principle. And Yes, I do keep mentioning 2005 NOT because the players were highway robbery victims (although they unquestionably were) but because they said in essence “OK, just this once we’ll sacrifice something on OUR SIDES to fix YOUR mistakes”. Now these clowns are at it again! Do you Blame the players and Fehr? This absurd notion that every team needs to be equally successful, go 41-41-0 in the season and something can be taken away from the players each time their EMPLOYERS not THEM but their EMPLOYERS make the most boneheaded business decisions must be COMPLETELY AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED. Otherwise you might as well bury this wonderful sport for eternity, because the OWNERS have ruined it. NOT THE PLAYERS.
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Gustavo Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
@Gustavo,
Thank God for good California wine, though….it makes this lockout nightmare digestible.
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vicarious Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:06 am
@HockeyNerd, Why these complicated rules? It’s because of the anti-trust and anti-slavery rules. The teams have a cartel, where they agree each team can draft players and have signing rights. The teams agree not to poach each others players. Otherwise, players could sign wherever they wanted.
Now, if the players don’t agree to the teams’ agreement on drafting and player rights, then we’d (probably) have “collusion,” and by that I mean an illegal agreement among the teams to restrict player’s individual rights.
There are benefits and burdens to any contractual situation, and more complicated issues when we start adding group rights. If we tomorrow removed the anti-trust and anti-slavery rules, you’d STILL have a very complicated situation, because the teams need to agree on rules, and the players have the right (enacted among other places in the US Constitution’s 1st Amendment, which protects the right of assembly) to band together and negotiate as a group. After all, the owners get that right.
Without the protections afforded by that set of rule–the right of workers to band together to try and negotiate collectively–you get the situations played out in various 3rd world nations: very few very, very rich and a lot of people barely getting by.
Even ardent free marketer Milton Friedman, who I think is something of an idiot and who IMO did a lot of damage with poorly reasoned critiques of various rule structures, believed the anti-trust rules were very important and on the balance a good rule set, in Friedman’s opinion (at least in Capitalism & Freedom which he endorsed to the end of days) a good, economically justified, rule set.
The owner of each team has good reasons to agree to restrict each others, and thus their own, behavior. Our interests as fans is just not exactly the same as the owners. Its like when fans scream they want a team to sign some free agent for millions. Those fans are not paying the salary. If they were, in a lot of cases they wouldn’t scream so loudly.
I’m not a big AEG fan. However, with the Kings, I give them credit for spending money, even ponying up the money salary limit teams back in the 2000′s which, on the whole weren’t very good teams. At least AEG was trying, if not spending their money so wisely I might say. They did try to ice a team justifying my season ticket overpayments.
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http://instagram.com/p/QGT7oJoyff/
My “casual encounter” with the cup ;p haha
but on a more real note, when I got to do this like I felt like time stopped. No joke. It was so amazing. I felt so happy. Not to get all smushygushhyyloveydoveyy ;p
I never knew I would have gotten to do this so early in my life. I can’t even imagine how some of the fans who have been waiting 20-40 years! I only had to wait about 10 ;p
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
@Subby, Good photo to put on a t-shirt to wear to another trip to Phx maybe? If there is a season, and if Phx plays the Kings in the playoffs. Its hard to imagine not making the short flight or 4.5 hr drive. Especially if the playoff tickets are under regular season prices of the staples center.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
@Subby,
You weren’t kidding about your makeout session with the Cup! Nice, buddy!
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 10:04 am
@Subby, Are my eyes deceiving me or is the Cup pulling away from you?
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All these comments about how bad the owners are, are silly.
It’s THEIR league. They own it. It’s their rules. Live by them or go play in Europe.
It’s their ranch, like the wings dude said, and the players are the cattle grazing on it, right? (watch the nhl fine Rich Hammond $250,000 for letting this comment be posted, lol)
Things went south when the NHLPA decided they were not only entitled, but better qualified, to tell the owners how to spend their (the owners) money….ROFLMFAO!!!
I said it before, and I say it again…. if any employee of mine came to my office and told me how to spend my NOI (Net Operating Income) after paying everyone’s salary, my business expenses and taxes, I’d lock his arse out of the building so fast his hockey puck head would spin. And THAT is what the owners have done. Good for them!
No, I do not like lockouts. I hate them with a passion. But this one is on the players 100% in my NSHO (not so humble opinion). And please, before throwing emotional semantics at me, keep in mind the NHL owners OWN the league, just as much as you own your car, your clothes and your house. They set the rules.
If the players like them, there is hockey and we’re all happy. If the players do not and start bitching and moaning and throwing tantrums to the media and try to get some Canada labor board to intercede in their favor, they get locked out and there is no hockey. Period.
As for the fans? Who cares? We’re just the dumb bumbling masses getting crapped on by both sides of this damn lockout. Individually, we’re somewhat powerful. We can and do vote with our wallets. Take as long as you need to resolve your differences, NHL & NHLPA. Then good luck trying to get a dime out of me in anything but the bare minimum expense to watch live nhl hockey, you @#%&Ks!
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Neil Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
@Gustavo, as I said above…when did it become a rule that owners are NOT allowed to profit.Salaries are fair…work conditions are great…..travel is first class…pension is good( I think)….Drop the Puck and lets play!!!!!
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Michael J. Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 8:49 am
@Neil,
I totally agree with you on this one.
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g smith86 Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 10:23 pm
@Gustavo, gosh…imagine if you had video of your employees before you hired them…you could see how they go about doing their job and evaluate them…then you could have a pool of 250 or so of the best candidates in the country …quite possibly, the whole world, in which to choose from…but, you would have to get together with 31 of your other buddies whom also own simular businesses and enter into a raffle of some kind…but, in the end…it’s a win win! you will always get the best of the best!…your company will have some of the best employees on earth!
OK…I know…and I do see your point…
But, if the NFL recent officiating debacles have taught us anything…it is that you want the best…you have to pay for the best
Sports business is not real world business
It’s about mostly egos and bragging rights and “I own a sports franchise”
It’s fantasy land…and I will take the owner who is in it for bragging rights and ego over the owner(s) who try to make money any day
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CB14 Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 11:36 pm
@Gustavo, You’re comparing apples to oranges in relating the NHL to your business.
“if any employee of mine came to my office and told me how to spend my NOI (Net Operating Income) after paying everyone’s salary, my business expenses and taxes, I’d lock his arse out of the building so fast his hockey puck head would spin.”
The problem with this logic is that once you do this, you have no way of making any money. Which is kind of what owning a business is all about. Their NOI is dependant on these “employees”. I put employees in quotation marks because they’re not your typical employees. They’re more like partners with the NHL’s 30 owners. Without both of them, the NHL doesn’t exist. No one’s paying 50 bucks a ticket to see the LA Kings play with the Manchester Monarchs roster. It ain’t happening.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 9:26 am
@CB14, Couldn’t agree more. And what’s so classic about Gustavo’s comment is he starts it off by using the word silly when the entire thrust of his argument is just that. To compare his business (or any regular business) to the NHL is utterly ridiculous and a waste of time. There’s just no helpful comparison whatsoever. This is not about workers rights or working conditions, which is the basis for all private sector unions. It’s not about any moral battle or the current state of the economy.
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Gustavo Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 10:02 pm
@CB14,
“PARTNERS” take loss of income and liability risks. The NHL players are no partners in any imaginable connection to the definitions.
The league belongs to the owners. Period. They set the rules. If they want to make more money out of it by way of paying the players less, so be it. I have no problem with that, as long as there is high level NHL hockey for me to be entertained with.
And I repeat, as much as I love what my LAK favorite players do on the ice, I will not miss one single second of sleep knowing they’ll make 20% or so less money whenever hockey starts again. None of them gives a rat’s ass whether my mortgages or my kids college tuitions get paid on time. Why should I nor anyone else care what happens to their salaries? I care more about the team profits for the sole purpose of keeping the organization viable and competitive for decades to come.
To owners, managers and players alike, as long as we keep planting our rear ends on those Staples seats, keep buying merchandise, or keep watching those ‘commercial break’ commercials on TV, we’re the greatest fans on the planet, right?
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CB14 Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
@Gustavo, The players DO take a loss of income. Their salaries are directly related to the NHL’s income. That’s what a percentage of hockey related revenues means. If the leagues revenues decrease by 10% next season, then so do the players revenues. They go hand in hand, which is EXACTLY what the NHL wanted, and got, in the last CBA negotiations. I don’t mean to be rude, but you really need to do some research on the CBA and how it works.
Michael J. Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 9:05 am
@Gustavo,
I have to agree with you on this one. According to Forbes Magazine that in February Terrence Pegula bought the Buffalo Sabres, who lost $5.6 million last season, for $165 million. I think a lot of us fans lose sight of this. These owners can have hunderds of millions in capital outlay for teams, arenas, employees, insurance, travel, etc, and still lose money.
I understand that much of the recent political climate is focusing on how evil it is for a business owner to make a profit. But c’mon people, we are talking about business owners and employees whom are compensated very well for their efforts.
Here’s a pretty good article on the business of hockey http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2011/11/30/the-business-of-hockey/
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 9:50 am
@Gustavo,
“I’d lock his arse out of the building so fast his hockey puck head would spin. And THAT is what the owners have done. Good for them!”
Great. You’ve been hired as a consultant for the owners because of your track record and thorough understanding of the issues. What next? I noticed you didn’t have an answer for that one. What do the owners do next?
Bring in replacement players?
Fold the league?
What’s your solution?
What you completely fail to recognize is that the owners’ products are their EMPLOYEES, which is one reason that makes this scenario totally different than a regular business.
Owners and/or bosses in any GOOD business have always been respectful of their employees. There is often a delicate balance between a boss’s power and an employee’s value. Great employees have a ton of value. Many of which, if they left the business, would cause serious damage to it.
I’d hate to work for a guy who doesn’t get this. It’s your way or the highway. To me, that’s the kind of business that is a sad and pathetic place to work at.
The players, in this case, are far more powerful than even the most valued regular employee, which makes what they have to say worth listening to. Cutting off one’s nose to spite their face is bad business. The owners get this. You don’t.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:25 am
To clarify ‘the owners get this’ I mean that I believe they totally understand the gravity of the situation in general. Some wouldn’t care if there is a season, while others want this over yesterday. There are 30 of them, and that is a lot of people/groups with differing views. What I am trying to say here is I believe there is a ton of public posturing. As an example, just as we all witnessed, in the NFL Rodger Goodell publicly backed the MNF decision by the replacement refs saying it was a good call, which is obscene on the surface. But then a day later quickly resolves the conflict with the regular refs and just today makes a statement trying to further mitigate the damage caused by the work stoppage. Not all is as it seems.
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Gustavo Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
As I said earlier, I expect the owners to be willing to go long and even fold the league, as long as Fehr and his ‘business geniuses’ insist in telling the owners which teams should receive how much once all the profits have been tallied.
That’s not the solution anyone wants to read about. But…like it or not, IT IS a solution. Then Fehr and the players can plan on creating their own league where they control not only how much they make, but also how much the evil, greedy, mean owners should make after investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the new league.
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Just a heads up…Dick’s sporting goods has Stanley cup t-shirts on clearance. My wife and I got five shirts for 50 bucks. Some of the stuff is wcf and scf items but also Stanley cup champion shirts.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Which store, I bet some in OC don’t even carry Kings Stuff.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
@luc20rules, I went to the one in Santa Clarita. The guy said all are doing clearance sales. Just depends on what’s left in stock. The shirt I got is the one the players wore in the room right after the win. Plenty of sizes in that one.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Awesome, thanks. I will checkout the closest store then.
Millionaires (and several hundred thousand somethings) vs. billionaires-sigh…and I thought I had it tough
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g smith86 Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
@Goring 19, yep…just a big middle finger to us fans..
PS…fans will always get shafted…we don’t have to infest a single thing if we choose not to
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g smith86 Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
@g smith86, “invest” lol
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luc20rules Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 11:38 pm
@g smith86, I thought you meant the owners consider us poor fans an infestation of their arenas. LOL
Big Fat Talking Heads at least officially meet tomorrow. I won’t hold my breath waiting for a new NHL CBA.
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All packed and ready for my morning flight to Las Vegas. On saturday I’ll be walking around MGM. Hope to see some of you around.
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Gailweb Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 6:04 am
@OnTheFly, us too bringing our DVD game 6
Will be at MGM Lobby at 7 or so if see if any kings
fans then I will turn on Lap top with game on
so come on by if you like
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Tic-Toc fellas
The clock is ticking on the sport.
If you screw this up and cancel the season, you will have effectively killed the sport..something it seems that both sides have been looking to do for quite some time.
I’ve reached the stage where I am against both the players and the owners. If they cancel the season, I will hate both sides equally and hoep they all end up working 9-5 like the rest of us stiffs.
Good luck to a bunch of millionaires/billionaires and there squabble over how to divy up the billions. If they do cancel the season, I can only hope that there’s nothing left for these morons to divy up going forward!
A bunch of pathetic losers all around!
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 9:58 am
@nykingfan,
Stop being so wish-washy and tell us how you really feel!
They have about 2 more months before things start getting really serious.
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OK. Now, I’m mad.
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hot off the wire!
Simon Gagne & Jonathan Bernier included in locked-out players scheduled exhibition game…
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=406261
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 10:02 am
@Real 7, Must have been great fun for the fans. Would have loved to see it! Too bad Gagne’s team lost though
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CBA talks resumed today….Katie Strang is all over it
https://twitter.com/KatieStrangESPN
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DesertKing Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:23 am
@Real 7,
Can she make them come to an agreement?
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There seems to be some odd misconceptions about the lockout. Maybe someone can explain to me how this is wrong…
1. Owners as ranchers: What do they own? They don’t own the cattle (the players). They own the name of the team and maybe a building. That’s it. The product IS the player and since a player can’t be owned, they are not ranchers.
2. Fans getting screwed: We are currently unable to watch and pay for a league we love. We are getting ‘screwed’ out of an escape and some enjoyment from our daily lives. To me, that’s not getting screwed in any way, shape or form. The people who actually work for these organizations who may lose their jobs are the ones who could seriously get screwed, not fans.
3. Choosing sides: I get it. We are (sadly) trained from a very small age to take sides on just about any little thing we come across. We invest heavy emotional currency in the things we believe in. Left/Right, PC/Apple, Kings/Ducks. However, a wise man once said, “Choose your battles carefully.” Getting all worked up over which side (owners/players) is right or wrong is a waste of energy. Don’t get me wrong. It’s good to discuss it all. But the LEVEL of heavy emotion invested in something you cannot control is very unwise and unhealthy.
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Lake Forest Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 10:34 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
A Player is owned by his contract.
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Lake Forest Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 10:48 am
@Lake Forest, but I agree with you 100%….yet it still sucks!
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Stuart Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
@Lake Forest, that was my take… a player is “owned” by a team=owner because of the contract he signed. His rights are definitely owned, which, in essence, means that he is “owned.” no rights=slavery=OWNED.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@Lake Forest, No doubt. Yes, a contract is a contract. But only in the NHL! Which, without the players, doesn’t exist. The players could start their own league tomorrow and all the owners would own is what they are holding in their hand (if you know what I mean). Not to mention a few billion give or take.
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Lake Forest Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:54 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Eh, if anyone could start their own league tomorrow, they would.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:58 am
Agreed…again. I certainly don’t mean to imply such a thing is easy or even possible at this time. Just using it to drive the point home.
Stuart Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:58 am
@LF, I’m sure that there are enough investment groups/people that never won the bids for current franchises that would love to stick it to the NHL and back a new league… I’ve said it before, I would wholeheartedly support a new league with the old players!
I would also love to see Euro leagues sign a TV contract with ESPN, if for nothing else to see GB rupture an artery… hopefully a vital one, at that!
nykingfan Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
correct. If the players and owners have not come to an agreement, the players do have the right to form their own league and effectively end the NHL.
But the reality is that the owners do “own” the players.
Both sides have it quite clear that it’s about the $$.
For the players to attempt to start their own league, they need those buildings that the owners either own or have leased. They need the financial backing of the owners to get the league off the ground and to allow them to make the $$ they’re fighting so hard for.
The coaches/trainers/tv rights are all still under the control of the owners. Basically they may want to start the league, but they don’t have the wherewithall to be able to pull it off without sacrificing $$ and their careers to do it for the next generation.
Also your point #2 about the fans being screwed…you are correct that there are a lot of other people getting shafted worse than the fans are, but in today’s society it’s always about “me” not others. In fairness when we comment on the blog, we are discussing our feelings and what affects us, not others..right or wrong
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@nykingfan,
I’d agree that most on this blog only think about how it affects themselves. But not all and certainly not me. The more we raise the level of discussion past petty personal feelings the better IMO. Not that there isn’t a place for airing feelings. I’m just saying if this blog was ONLY that, then it would suck big time.
As for the owning part. I get the financial reality but the definition of that terms is not clear to me. Many NHL players, if they aren’t completely stupid with their money, can quit today and never worry about working for the rest of their lives. So in that sense, the ‘own’ part seems highly exaggerated.
When I think of ‘own’ I think of Apple factories in China that have safety nets in place so that when workers try to jump to commit suicide, they live to work another day…after being beaten of course.
Forum Gold Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:08 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Great post. I am a 43 year LA Kings Hockey Club fan that bleeds Forum Blue and Gold and Stanley Cup Champion Black and White. I am having a hard time not siding with the players that I so respect. The owners were happy with the current agreement they signed to end the last lockout and they allowed the general managers to sign or extend contracts right up to the stroke of midnight before this lockout. The NHL has locked ME out and I feel the only way I can show my displeasure at the way I am being treated is to not go to as many games. I realize someone else will buy my tickets but I feel I have to do something. My heart goes out to all the individuals that will be layed off or depend on the NHL to make a living. This in my opinion will not be settled until sometime in 2013. Mr. Bettman, please do not praise me as the best fans anywhere when I know you really could care less about me.
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Stuart Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:11 am
@Forum Gold, +1
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Weasel Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Forum Gold,
1 + 1
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@Forum Gold, I really don’t think Bettman cares about hockey at all, let alone fans. The guy is Satan after all!
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luc20rules Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Now you has Satan angry with you! You better make a formal apology like I did when I accidently typed an s after Mr. in Mr Gary Bettman. No entity or group want likes that comparision.
FKA PakiFro Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:52 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
You forgot to include choosing sides in such debates as
Storr/Fiset
Frolov/Cammalleri
Garon/LeBarbera
Quick/Bernier
Doughty/Johnson
On a more serious note, I get what you’re saying except when you say the players can just start their own league. The organization aspect of preparing for a game/season/league is largely underrated. Permits, staff, food, parking, etc shouldn’t be overlooked, and as you mentioned, are the real people getting screwed in this lockout. I understand why the league wants more money. However, I’m on the side of the players at least keeping their current share (in dollars) of the pie. That would leave the cap at at least ~63 million or so.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
And of course, TM/Sutter! Which was a huge one for the first few weeks after he was fired. And I’m with you on the rest too. I don’t see the players starting their own league ever. Just using it as an example of how the players are not simple employees as some would suggest. Starting a league would require a massive undertaking. I do with more teams were owned by fans though. I don’t know all the ins and outs of what they do in Green Bay but it seems to work well enough to try it elsewhere.
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Gustavo Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
1. Owners own the team and the entire organizational infrastructure that supports it. If they’re ranchers, in addtion, good for them.
2. Fans DO NOT get screwed. You get your money back if you paid for tickets or get to keep your money in your pocket if you have not. You’re free to find entertainment elsewhere to spend it. The ones who get truly screwed are the thousands of service and supporting workers who do not get a paycheck to take home to pay bills and feed their families.
3. Nothing wrong with choosing sides. But I agree with you. Not need to get EMO about it. I’ve already decided to vote with my wallet. Keep my money in it. Take the wife on a nice vacation and keep smiling.
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Ouch!! Dang it my pants were on fire!! It was all that money for the Kings game this weekend burning a hole in my pocket.
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Stuart Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 11:50 am
@DesertKing, initially I thought you were going to tell us you were a liar liar!
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DesertKing Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@Stuart,
Thats why Ryan Clowe and Shane Doans and Mike Smiths pants are on fire
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so the talks today are all about “non-core economic issues?” that’s just great.
So what time locally (pst) can KHL games be found on the net?
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Mikey Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@Stuart,
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Mikey Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@Mikey, around 10-11pm. they start early. No checking, open ice. All finess!
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Stuart Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
@Mikey, solid info! Thanks
lacrosse, anyone…?
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@variable, Get back to work.
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DesertKing Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@variable,
No. I heard Doc Emerick was doing the play-by-play.
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Deke'r Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
@variable, …wow….you are desperate…
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here’s a new prospect analysis: http://hockeyprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1390
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neil Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
@LB, thank you…..hickey is not very high
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HockeyNerd Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
@LB, Prokhorkin ahead of Pearson even though he was 90 slots lower in the exact same draft (from Just this last June)? I think the writer needs to explain how he came to that conclusion.
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LB Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
@HockeyNerd, Probably higher risk, higher reward.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 28th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
@LB, Not sure if this guy knows anything. Probably the same guy that rated King a F and Nolan a D. Just saying its just somebodies opinion or guess as @PaulArmbruster likes to call it. And for the record the guy that gave King and F and Nolan a D you were wrong, you guessed and were wrong!
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My disappointment is equalled only by my indifference. Wake me when the one-week training camp starts for the 52-game regular season.
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Pinochet Parata! lol:-)…though it’s a bit of an insult to Augusto…..
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