The NHL today announced the cancellation of the first two weeks of regular-season games because of the lockout. That means, for now, the loss of six games for the Kings:
Oct. 12 vs. New York Rangers at Staples Center
Oct. 15 at Calgary Flames
Oct. 16 at Edmonton Oilers
Oct. 18 vs. Carolina Hurricanes at Staples Center
Oct. 21 vs. Edmonton Oilers at Staples Center
Oct. 23 vs. Nashville Predators at Staples Center
At this point, it’s impossible to predict what a reworked 2012-13 season would look like, assuming there is one at all. It depends entirely on when the lockout is resolved and how many games end up getting canceled. Losing games against Eastern Conference teams isn’t really a major issue, schedule-wise, but how would the league account for the fact that the Kings have already lost two games against Edmonton but none against (for example) Vancouver? How much balance would there be in a shortened schedule? In any event, let’s just hope these questions need to be answered sooner, rather than later. At this point, there aren’t any negotiations scheduled between the league and the players.
Sad sad sad
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
@Sancho,
Q: How long will this lockout last?
–Only the NHL scheduler knows for sure!
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curtis Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
@Sancho, my thoughts exactly sancho….seriously, those were EXACTLY my words as I read Rich’s recap.
The owners got ALL they wanted in the last shutdown & promised us fans lower ticket prices during it. They reneged & lost all credibility w/ me.
That being said, it’s real hard to feel any real sympathy for the players either. It’s the workers losing jobs/wages who have no say in the matter, & fans who foot the bill that are the real losers. Billionaires & millionaires arguing over who gets more of OUR money.
Sad, sad, sad……
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kb Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
- I don’t think there’s going to be a season at all. :/
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@curtis, Until there is a recognized and united fan union, whose members actually adhere to the desire to punish the NHL and NHLPA for years to come when a strike or lockout happens, expect your words to fall on deaf ears. When finally they get tired of losing money due to empty arenas, no concession revenue, etc., they will magically get deals done on time. Until then, we are all wasting our voice.
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IF they really do end up cancelling the whole season. There will only be one more NHL game that I attend. When they drop the banner from the rafters. I have had season seats since 1984 and it will be a sad day, but I am through.
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puck73 Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:17 am
@dana l, Trust me, you will be back. And you will say, Thank you sir, may I have another !
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Stuart Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@puck73, I’m not so sure… I truly think plenty of fans will simply watch from the comforts of their couch or some bar stool in some gin-joint… Unless there is some freebie handouts in my future, I’m not buying anymore tickets. The polish has definitely worn off.
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Jeff Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@Stuart, I agree. It was well worth it, sticking around since ’79 to see that cup. Now I’m not so inclined to put up with all the BS. I want to see the banner raised, thereafter I am happy to watch from home.
Sebastian Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:38 am
@Stuart, but, but…what if they paint “Thank you fans” on the ice again?
personally i can only afford to attend 10 games or so per year (regular season), i dont think that would change, i love the Kings and I love hockey. now if i had season tickets, i would probably consider cutting back.
FKA PakiFro Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
@Sebastian,
I think they’ll be painting “SUCKERS!!!” this time around…
Stuart Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
@Sebastian and FKA, It would be more apropos to have the iconic Johnny Cash photo painted at center ice with (insert owner’s/commissioner’s here) face on it giving the one-finger salute to all the fans for patiently standing by and then rushing back in once the stadium doors are opened.
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dana l Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@puck73, Winning the cup released all of the passion and ended the chase for the grail. They have raised my tix prices 21% and 30% the last 2 years. Now the lockout, its a sad reality, but I will watch from the sidelines.
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sstephen17 Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@dana l, I’ve only had season seats since 2007 but after this season (if there is one), we will probably drop to 1/2 season seats or even mini-plans if they have it. Prices are just so high, especially in this economy. Apparently it’s not high enough for the owners and players to come to an agreement on how to share billions of dollars. Damn shame.
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Not sure if I will have time tomorrow to post and all…Just wanted to say it is my birthday (Oct 5th). I usually love my birthday because Hockey starts on or around it. Oh well. Hopefully when my 1/2 birthday comes we will be about to start playoffs. One can only hope.
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puck73 Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:20 am
@Jeff_R, You will be awarded for you birthday with a gathering at Dantana restraunt in West Hollywood with your mom by your side. How do I know this? Because it has already been pre determined. Thats what you get for being a righteous dude!
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Jeff_R Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:30 am
@puck73,
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luc20rules Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@Jeff_R, Happy Birthday, It was nice meeting you at the Dodger Game. People that know me know, I rarely ask for favors. Please before blowing out the candles wish for a new NHL CBA fast. My birthday’s in Nov, so if you tell me what you were wishing for, and I will wish you get it in a month.
Have a great day, the NHL Champs will suitup for games sometime it can’t last forever.
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neil Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@luc20rules, my birthday is nov. 5th…..hockey then?. i..,i doubt it.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@Jeff_R,
Happy Birthday, buddy! It was good meeting you at the after parade at Yardhouse! Hope to see you soon also!
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Jeff_R Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
@Kingsfanone, Thanks guys. I will definitely wish for the season to start and hopefully soon. It is great when we can get events together and meet and hopefully the next one will be Opening night, whenever that will be.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
@Jeff_R,
Happy birthday Jeff, I look forward to catching some games with you this year
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
@Jeff_R,
Happy birthday Jeff, I look forward to catching some games with you this year
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LA_1968 Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
@Jeff_R, Belated Happy Birthday friend. My best friend from elementary school celebrates his day on the same as yours.
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There goes 12 points! Bummer. And to answer the question, “how would the league account?” Well, I think we already know the answer to that one…they don’t! And that’s the problem.
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I hate that they know the fans will always be there. This is ridiculous. Google which pro sport has lost the most games to lockout. NHL is more than double any other sport
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
@RobSD,
Even though they “now the fans will always be there,” the games they don’t play are lost for good, along with their revenue. The excitement that drives merchandise sales, and the buzz in the general neighborhood of the events (AEG!) isn’t there. Make no mistake. They pay for their idiocy. The longer they way to bring the game back and put it on the tube and in the venue, the more things I think up to do with my time and the less I care. This is without regard to me ever coming back. They lose, and they should, for not being able to act like adults and get the job done like they needed their jobs to make a living. I know I don’t decide not to go to work for a year because I don’t like the pay, etc (and this isn’t meant to be focused on either group.)
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“At this point, there aren’t any negotiations scheduled between the league and the players.”
^ THIS MAKES ME ANGRY
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HockeyNerd Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@McDonalds, Exactly!!!! The fact that there is a lockout and disagreement in and of itself, while it may be disappointing, is at least SOMEWHAT understandable. There are some very complex issues going on here and the 2 sides are very far apart. Nobody likes it, but in today’s world of sports it seems inevitable every few years.
However the lack of urgency is absolutely reprehensible. The season was supposed to be starting within days AND THEY ARE NOT EVEN TALKING???????? This is a big middle finger to all fans and people whose livelihood depends on working for the arenas (vendors, parking attendants, trainers, referees, you name it). And the NHL has the gall to put out a statement saying “we are committed to around the clock negotiations”?
I am VERY angry.
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
@HockeyNerd, +1000 You nailed it.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 8:35 am
@Harrison Merkin, definately nailed it! with gusto
Kinda off topic but did anyone else have trouble finding the KHL games on espn 3 yesterday?
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:28 am
@Let’s do it again,
Apparently that was a misunderstanding. the games are scheduled to start this weekend on ESPN3
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Let's do it again Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:34 am
@FKA PakiFro, cool thanks. Gotta get my hockey fix someway.
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Real 7 Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:37 am
@FKA PakiFro, unfortunately, nothing listed for this weekend…
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Real 7 Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:36 am
@Let’s do it again, I don’t see any KHL hockey listed in their sched
http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/channel/espn3
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
@Real 7,
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/happened-khl-espn3-big-debut-163444680–nhl.html
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* Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
@Let’s do it again, you can catch the khl games here http://www.laola1.tv/en/int/ice-hockey-live/video/224-2451-.html no anouncers just the sound of the game
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Let's do it again Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 10:39 pm
@*, thanks but all I have is a I pad and you need flash player to watch on that website. So I just gotta wait for the espn 3 streams .
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Oh thank God this announcememt was just the NHL cancelling games. O really thought Rich was going to announce that he was laid off or was going to Chicago to create a Cubs blog. Keep cutting your throats NHL since the you can never make ip lost money, no matter what your accountants say.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@DesertKing, Exactly! All that revenue is gone, and they better deal with that.
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&^%&*#^^&#()*&^@ I cannot believe the stupidity.
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…with many more cancelations to follow!!!
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Sebastian Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:31 am
@Chuck, exactly. unfortunately, this is just the beginning. i believe the lockout will cancel the entire season…again, i hope im wrong though.
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Let's do it again Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 9:52 am
@Sebastian, I hope it’s over by the end of the year.
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STOP THE INSANITY!!!
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If I felt about Hockey the way I feel about Basketball and Baseball, I would have already given up on it. The other 2 never did get my interest back after their “issues”. Hockey, is different (for me anyway) I will be back along with the Kings. But it is really frustrating. Ultimately, this is Bettman’s fault that we are back in this situation again. We lost a full season last time and he didn’t get the thing fixed right.
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Let's do it again Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@gralx, both sides are to blame.
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ChiTownKingsFan Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 1:31 am
@Let’s do it again, How is it the players fault? They get slammed with a demand to cut their salary’s by a quarter when they just did it year ago? That’s inflammatory. The NHL should be ashamed of themselves and so should you.
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Let's do it again Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@ChiTownKingsFan, they all make way to much money as is to play a game . Greed is what this is all about. On both sides. I should be ashamed ha ha . That makes tons of sense moron .
I wonder if they’ll (the NHL/owners) will continue to chip away at the season until the Winter Classic comes and goes… maybe then they’ll scrap it all and just cancel the remainder at that point.
We should start a poo: How many “meetings” will be scheduled during this 2-week cancellation? I say 2.
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Stuart Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:35 am
*pooL… haha
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Lake Forest Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@Stuart, starting a poo in a few minutes, though usually i like to be alone. Thanks for the invite however.
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Stuart Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@Lake Forest, I hope you’re done laying that cable…
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Lake Forest Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
@Stuart, are we ever done?
Stuart Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@LF, too true!! LOL
JQ is better than you Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@Stuart, I don’t even think that many. The most frustrating part, to me anyways, is there is no sense of urgency from either party to meet and resolve this thing! They should be meeting every friggin day! Here’s my solution: sell the cryotes to the first person that has cash then and there. Let em move wherever the hell they want. Next you do the same for the devils. Now the league’s got some cash flow. Meet in the middle with the players n give them 53.5% of hrr. And the owners get 46.5%. then you take all revenues made at each game (tickets, food, booze, etc.) and split it 50/50 between the two clubs playing that game. Merchandise monies stay with the team selling said merch. Viola! Problem solved, n I get my damn hockey!
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Jgomez Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Stuart, But those 2hr meetings are getting so much accomplished!
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My insiders report that the parties are extremely far apart on other significant issues as well (entry level contracts, etc.)
Best case scenario, or so I’m told, is January. Though, likely an entire season.
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Yesterday the family and I got our 60 seconds of bliss and had our picture taken with the Cup in Carson…today the NHL kills two weeks of the season…what a high and what a low.
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If there is a fine silver lining here, it’s that the Stanley cup is property of the Los Angeles Kings. As soon as that first puck drops, a new race begins to crown a champion. I hate this lockout but won’t have as hard of a time with it as I did in 04-05.
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DesertKing Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@DBking,
Unless the NHL sells the Cup to cover their losses
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Stuart Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@DesertKing, which Cup? The fake Cup? Or the real replica Cup?
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DesertKing Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@Stuart,
Touche!
With that news the NHL can shove the Cup up their collective Bettholes!
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JQ is better than you Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@KOHO, Ouch! ThAt would hurt! But u could use Shane doan’s tears as lube
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I also attended the event in Carson, and I am left with 2 strong impressions:
1) I thought the event was excellent in its presentation and execution. I remember reading some backlash following the September event for season-ticket holders, but thought this couldn’t be better …
2) except that I forgot to hold or even touch the Cup. Crowded around it with three members of my family, aware of the time constraint, filled with excitement, and wanting to experience everything, I forgot the No. 1 thing. Oh well, I will have to remember to lay on the hands after the Kings win their second championship. And I can console myself knowing that my experience is similar to Willie Mitchell, who said he forgot to kiss the Cup when he hoisted it for the first time following Game 6.
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This just sickens me.
Can someone oust bettman already?
This is the only sport I watch anymore, been a Kings can my entire life.
This happening again just shows me how screwed up….. Whatever I am sick of complaining about it.
Just give me back my Kings!!!!
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JQ is better than you Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
@Mars, How do u become a kings can? I wanna be one with u buddy!
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It really is hitting Kings fans at a tough time with the championship. I am and will be a fan when they return, but there are other ways we can watch hockey and spend our money. It isn’t the same though.
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Well, at least we will have the cup for 2 years.
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Again, I’m a huge Kings fan, but hate the NHL!
I’m also poor so I don’t spend much on kings merchandise. I never did get my Richards jersey even after winning $580 from the Kings SC win.
So I wont have much of a influential impact! I love watching from home with my girls anyway!
When the season starts we should get an insider group watch party!
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Good thing I got my Ontario Regin opening night next Sat. to look forward too, they even have a banner raising this year too, so soon I will get my hockey fix again, while I wait it out.
Good things out of the lockout! Cheer up!
Rich is still with us hurray!
Got to see the cup it is still now in LA!
It’s ok, maybe now there will be shorter lines to get in at Staples Center in future?
Our Kings are still the cup champs and still have the cup hurray!
No parking fees to pay for downtown
Gas is too high we can save now on driving, and best is no traffic to get stuck into down town
We save lots of money now on our season tickets
We save money don’t have to buy food at Staples Center
Don’t have to buy new tires less car travel
Our boys, men can get more rest since the season was later for us this year
We still have the saved games on our DVR to watch good thing they made DVR’s for us fans
The LA Kings are still The Stanley Cup Champs even longer!
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DesertKing Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
@Gail Web,
Go Reign Go! We will be there next Saturday, weari.g my new “Stanley 12″ Kings away jersey. Screw the NHL.
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Gail Web Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@DesertKing, Hi Desert ok glad to hear it, my son will be wearing his Reign jersey and I will be wearing mine too, but I for sure will have on my Kings Champs shirt while I wait outside to go inside, so hope to see lots of Kings fans there too next week.
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* Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
@Gail Web, it wouls be a great idea to stream live ontario reign games…..do they?
KFJ Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Yes, they do stream live Ontario Reign games…for $30/month
Six games canselled. And so it begins….When I get home tonight, I will be boxing up all my Kings memorabilia. All the shirts,hats, pucks, sweats even the Kings garden gnome my wife bought.All will be packed up, box sealed with dict tape and up in the loft it goes. The millinaires can do what they want with my favorite game. But as of now,I have personally cancelled the season. I’ll deside on the ’13-’14 season when(and if) it shows up.
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Don’t know if someone already posted this but I found this
http://vasteras.cc/film/anze-kopitars-first-goal-mora-ik-2012
Good thing Kopi is in good shape.
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Gail Web Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@goldielocks, Thanks so much for this it was great, and nice to see Kopi looking wonderful and having a great time thanks so much and did not see it before as a post
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Drew Doughty's Mustache Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@goldielocks,
Not knocking Kopi or any of the players but how nice when your job locks you out you can find other work.
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goldielocks Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@Drew Doughty’s Mustache,
I don’t think he’s gettng any money by playing for the team that is not even an elite league in Sweden. He’s doing it for his little brother and a little bit of giving back to where he was come from.
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Stuart Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
@goldielocks, although I did hear something about the players on the team having to scrounge up to pay for Kopi’s insurance??? or something like that…
and then you have those that think he’s “stealing” someone’s spot… but I dig that he’s playing with his bro. I just hope he doesnt get hurt.
goldielocks Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@Stuart,
Yea, also heard the team is even asking for a donation to cover the insurance. And someone gave up No. 11 for Kopi, too. I guess, for them, it’s worth that having an opportunity to play with an elite player like Kopi.
I won’t be attending any games during the shortened season if there is one, and none next season if this one is cancelled completely. I won’t buy any merchandise during that time either. I will watch the games on TV. Other than un-liking the NHL facebook page i don’t know what else to do.
Guess i’ll see the cup banner in a year or two.
I love how we’re just coming out of the worst economic crisis in generations and they can’t figure out how to split so much profit, and are happy to see layoffs and supporting businesses go under.
I blame the owners AND the players.
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I wish there was a way to show the NHL that they need their fans — then maybe, we would have a season.
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Donald_S Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
@aKinginVancouver,
There is. Canadian fans (not enough US fans to make an impact) need to start boycotting NHL sponsors. If there is a nationwide (Canadian) no Tim Horton’s Friday for example, that will start to put economic pressure on the NHL as Tim Horton’s will get on their case. If sponsors start to quit the NHL, that will hurt the league’s pocketbook. It can be done.
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Gustavo Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
@Donald_S,
OK. I’ll boycott Air Canada to start with.
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Well, I am a hockey fan, and no matter what happens this year, I wills till be a hockey fan. Yeah, it really, really sucks, but my loyalties lie with hockey, and that will not change.
All I can hope for is that some agreement can be reached.
I will, however, have a permanent, serious grudge against the owners association. That will not change either.
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* Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 8:06 pm
@Mikefromearth, i want money can you hold a grudge against me =P
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Mikefromearth Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:52 am
@*, Not unless you own an NHL hockey team
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This is more bluffing by the NHL. If a new CBA worked out. I think the NHL would reschedule all the games so each team has the same # of divisional, conference, and non-conference games for the teams. If things were resolved in a week. I would imagine they could reschedule an 82 game condensed season. If need be they could cancel the All Star Game and have an extra week of games. I think most of us remember the last winter olympics, and the condensed schedule with losing 2.5 weeks.
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As a hockey fan here is what I would do as arbitrator for the CBA. 1 year agreement(truce) all rules stay the same from the old CBA with 2 amendments.
1. players take a 12% rollback (Equivalent to 6.84% of HRR)in Salary and team’s salary caps(Max.61.776 mil & Min. 45.776 mil).
2. Teams will be able to sell 5 mil in cap space by trade, but only if they reach below the midpoint of 53.776 mil this will allow them to go under the Min Cap to 40.776. Teams will be able to add 2 mil in to their Max Cap to 63.776 mil, but must match the amount above the soft Max Cap in a profit share pool that will go to teams below the midpoint Cap 45.776 mil.
Its obvious that we could still schedule 82 games if things were resolved this week, but past Oct 15th games will be lost. If 10 games are lost HRR likely drops what 20% with fan discontent & lost revenue of 10 games. Already that costs the players what they would be conceding here. Also the NHL would have a season preserving HRR growth from fan anamosity. It would also give the NHLPA and the NHL time a full year to negotiate the financial gap. But, Bettman and Fehr choose to play chicken and want this to be a winner and loser situation. Arena employees in this bad economy are the biggest losers in this game and with a lost preseason have already had some of there marginal week to week finances crushed in this giant clash of egos.
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The league needs to take a clue from the NFL..didn’t they solve their issues in 2 weeks?!
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that brings the lost revenue total to just under $300 million. How much are the owners willing to lose?
The difference between what the owners wanted and the players were willing to give up was less $200 million. The owners have already lost more than that now. Players have all the leverage at this point.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
@diehard307, Your forgeting that under the current system the NHL Owners pay all the operating costs out of their 43% share. That is why some teams are losing money other than possibly not being being good enough to draw fans or not in the right city(Phx, Ahm, etc). So owners either lose about 40 mil or make about 100 mil. Most teams break even, but the owners make money when selling teams as the value of a NHL team seems to go up about 12% a year. However the players are losing 57% of the HRR that is lost from every missed game, and most of the players are making closer to the minimum of $450,000 not several mil/yr. Besides they have retained Gary “the Lockout” Bettman so they must like his lockout first break the NHLPA even if it costs a season negotiating strategy. Also lets not forget to the very last owner they voted to give Bettman permission to Lockout the players.
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diehard307 Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 10:36 am
@luc20rules, not fogetting… thats a given. The owners that do make money are going to breakaway because they are losing money at this point. The owners that dont make money such as the league owned coyotes, will continue the lockout because it saves them money. The owners can’t make revenue during the lockout, the players can. Not as much maybe, but they have the opportunity. Even if a team is breaking even, its putting money in the wallet of its employees. The owners will start to cave. 8 years ago not the case, but these are different times. Why dont they all just do a 50/50 split and wait for the next lock out in a few years.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
@diehard307, I don’t think you know the full scope here. Owners of sports franchises are billionares they are making money with 20 other business interests and are not that hurt by what to them is minor levels of profit that may come from their hockey team. Example: AEG owns the Kings is worth 7 to 8 billion, last year the Kings won the cup, but apparently didn’t make a profit? AEG which owns LA Live, so they probably made money from the Kings Fans that were there some 50+ times last year. They also own the LA Galaxy, Staples Center, and 20 or so other arenas around the world.
While players not poor by any means, but the majority of the players are not the 4+ mil/yr guys those are the top 25%, while about 40% of the players make less than 1 mil/yr not bad, but these guys went to Junior Hockey HS, Hockey first education 2nd at the age of what 15? Many haven’t made good investments or properly saved to get thru this lockout.
Hey Rich,
I have a question for you, but probably others here can answer it.
If, theoretically, we lose the entire season, how does that affect player contracts that were set to expire at the end of the season? I assume it’s a calendar-based situation. But it jeopardizes the idea of keeping the Stanley Cup Champion Team together for another season.
Thanks!
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I love how both sides are arguing over money & they already lost a 100 million just from canceling the preseason, plus whatever these cancelled regular season games add up to. We got a power struggle going on with a bunch of big egotistical & selfish brats trying to solve it. May never get resolved……..
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What a shame!!!! I am beyond disappointed!!!
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I knew this was going to happen once the NHLP hired Fehr head of the union, but saying that Bettman needs to go too….4 lockout since he’s been in charged in 20 years…that’s a average of a lockout every 5 years! and the timing of these lockouts too…Just when it seems the NHL is on a roll with gaining a new fanbase they have a lockout! un-real!
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pr0cess Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@dave, Yep this is exactly how i feel…
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goldielocks Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@dave,
The guys I know that seemed more interested in NHL after Kings’ epic run, are now only talking about NFL games. They don’t know how hard to get the new fan bases in southern California or they don’t even care. What a joke!
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luc20rules Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
@goldielocks, Your right. I wonder if the Kings still have 15,000 season ticket holders like they did in August? They may as well padlock the doors in Phx forever last year they were only getting around 10,000 in a 17,000 seat arena. I bought 3rd round game 1 tickets in Phx last year for less then box office prices $105 5 rows off the ice.
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Steve W Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
@dave, The ’94 shortened season, the 2004 lockout, and this years lockout. When was the fourth one?
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cdawgg Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 5:59 pm
@Steve W,
I think he means the player strike.
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I expect this whole season to be cancelled next month. This is due in large part for the NHPA’s decision to hire Donald Fehr to represent them and Gary Bettman. After this lockout ends the NHL would have incurred so much damage that team owners will be begging fans to come back.
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Well.. I guess we all can be happy we won the cup before this dabacle!
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DesertKing Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@Jpizzle313,
+1
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Niko Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@Jpizzle313, exactly, Dean knew it was now or never too…
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I was so looking forward to kings peppering Lundquist for taking the Vezina from quick, Lundquist got the equivalent of a sympathy **** when he won that trophy
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Kiss this season goodbye! Da Fuer & Buttmann have ego’s way too big to compromise hence no meetings scheduled. Buttmann wants the NHLPA to come back with another offer prior to scheduling a meeting & Da Fuer will not be bullied by any commissioner. Any baseball fan knows Da Fuer’s style. The players are all flocking overseas and are in this for the long run now. Both sides have gone to the scorched earth policy. Today is just another sad day for NHL fans!
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Now that the games are officially cancelled, I’m sure that the Kings will speedily refund my season ticket money for those games (yeah, right….)
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Refund please
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I could careless if the NHL never comes back! To be the last team to have the Stanley Cup would be awesome ! Piss on the league for being greedy SOB’s!!!!!!!
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This is BS.
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com’on really…………
who’s fault, once again the owners have been approving contracts and retaining the profits as they rise………..
the players, are paid well however want more……..
who cannot arbitrate this one, lets go guys “buck up”
get the season going
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@harty,
The players aren’t asking for more. They’re willing to reduce their share of revenue growth.
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This sucks. Baseball season is over (Dodgers are out, the rest is meaningless). No hockey season. What am I supposed to do, read a book? This sucks.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
@Mel Powell, Come on out to a Galaxy game. I bet you’ll enjoy it.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
@Mel Powell, Speaking of books, I hope my Official LA Kings Championship Book arrives soon. It comes with the Bob & Jim called DVD.
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Hockey fan since 1965. Kings fan since 1971, when my family moved to Southern California. Reader of Rich Hammond since his Daily News days and avid fan of this blog from the beginning. Rich, would you please pass along to the billionaire owners and millionaire players, as they fight one another, that I’m walking away as of November 1 if there is no agreement by then. They’ve lost me, but they obviously don’t care about the insignificance of me or the others who help make their way of life possible. I’m disgusted, sick and tired of the greed and arrogance, and I’m sadly disappointed because I thought hockey was better. As of 11/01, goodbye to all that.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
@deacon blue,
It seems like there’s a lot of longtime fans who have similar sentiments. I’m curious if this affected you a similar way in 2006 or were you less pissed off last time around?
As a fan, I’ve never felt like these work stoppages have anything to do with me personally. As much as it sucks, it’s between them and when they resolve it, I will have the luxury of enjoying hockey again. Maybe I look at it that way because I know that big business – whether it’s hockey or not – is susceptible to these kinds of conflicts.
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Pasadena Hockey Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), very good point, I agree with you. Perhaps in the meantime go take in a AA or AAA game at the local rink. The kids aren’t as talented but they are pretty damm good. You may find that there is more passion, better seats and it is at a much much cheaper price.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), IMHO the introduction of the way the salary cap and cap floor that they have installed with the range between the max & min cap fixed almost guarantees these work stoppages. Small market teams are almost certain to lose money.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 9:00 am
…of course I meant 2004-05, not 2006.
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Mars Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
@deacon blue, I am not going to walk away from it, but I see myself attending A LOT less games. I think I will be more comfy watching it from my couch. I also dont see myself buying a lot of gear/swag either.
The last lockout really bummed me out. But seeing it ongoing again, its too much to take. They (owners and NHL) clearly dont care about the fans. It hurt them last time and it will hurt them this time.
I wonder if any of this is why AEG is selling too.
Honestly after reading that they lost out 100m in revenue to the pre season, I have no sypathy to the owners and NHL.
Damn I wich the Ice Dogs were still around. At least then I could go see a game.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
@Mars, I take it Ontario Reign is too long a drive. Basically at the 15 & 10 freeway intersection. Maybe you can plan to see a game on the way out to or back from Vegas?
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Soon to be trivia question:
Which team won the Stanley Cup in the last year of the NHL’s existence?
Los Angeles Kings. The team was also first to win the Stanley Cup in the new MHL (Major Hockey League) as the Los Angeles Bullets and went on to win the Championship for three consecutive seasons.
Ha!
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
@dMan, The Bullets, eh?
I’d love it if we could keep the ‘royal’ theme.
The LA Knights?
The LA Kaisers?
The LA Emperors?
Nothing compares to the Kings though.
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Gustavo Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Monarchs
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 9:01 am
@Gustavo, Yeah, I love that name too but I ruled it out since AEG owns them too.
i spent the last couple of weeks moving to highland park….
i guess i missed a lot of banter, discussions and opinions…
but like everyone else here, i miss hockey…:(
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I want to invade Phonda center again this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL at the dude that has that stupid ducks jersey that says Ducks 1 cup, Sharks and Kings 0…. I wanted to see if he updated that jersey!!! I hate/love you NHL!!!!!!!
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Opening day my birthday, I was jazzed now I am angry. I have 3 season seats that I probably will keep, but I swear I will never ever purchase HRR ever again not one cent for you rich bast**** to fight over ever again!
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Gas prices out of control, NO NHL season?
Life Sucks Right About Now
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 9:11 am
@COUS, It’s perfect. Now you can use all that ‘extra’ money to buy gas. No hockey and more money for oil companies. Oh, never mind. You’re right.
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Well, atleast the Kings can say we got the last Stanley Cup!!!
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Just cancel the whole season…..its already has been ruined. No camp….no preseason….its not a regular season unless it starts in Sept with camp…..
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luc20rules Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
@neil, Wow, really? I think development camp & Rookie Camp is interesting, training camp intriging, regular season enjoyable, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs the most exciting thing in sports. Seeing how we have a team that is capable if not favored to win it all again. I want a season even if its only 50 games and starts after Christmas. I will be back and maybe I am part of the whole problem, but to say I am responsible for guys that are paid a minimum of half a million to play a sport they love, and owners that claim to be losing money and signing players to contracts that they are only offering because they believe they can force them to take 15% that money back. Its pathetic, the owners pr campaign the players are greedy and will not bargain. So, I am to take it that the average fan making 50k a year if able to get a job at all will like the NHL, because the players are greedy? For the players you make a great living playing a game I spent many of my adult life paying league fees which total 5% of what I made per year at the time to be able to play?
The most frustrating thing is that both sides are losing more money then they are trying to negotiate for if each team has 20 some games cancelled even if the CBA is for 5 years. Just sickening, and sad.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
@luc20rules, Really at the time 5% of my gross income was probably 25% of my disposable income. Money that was not for bills. If the car broke down repair/replacement money came from there, etc, so really it could have been about 60% of disposable in the worst year just to play hockey.
Like I said this whole thing makes me sick.
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Jeff_R Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
@neil, Even though I want to see a full 82 game season including training camp….I gotta say that the NBA season last year starting at Christmas and playing like 50 games was one of the most exciting ones so it gives me hope that the NHL season could be similar this year.
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Neil Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
@Jeff_R, Iam a big NBA fan but the games were sloppy and I like the long season of all the sports.Its has a ebb and flow to it.To me the enjoyment of watching the players grow and get better is important to me. If the Kings won championship in a shortened season…it would not feel the same.I will watch the games cause I enjoy the sport but any league that shortens it’s season doenst feel right to me…
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luc20rules Reply:
October 4th, 2012 at 10:51 pm
@Neil, Thanks for breaking it down. I understand what your prespective on that is and agree about a shorten season being lesser and can feel incomplete, but I still believe in what Gretzky said about their being like 4 seasons (Preseason, Regular Season, the Playoffs, and the Finals). The last 2 being the most exciting. Looking at last year in a 60 game season we wouldn’t have qualified for the playoffs, so believe me you point is well recieved.
Jeff_R Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 1:36 am
@luc20rules, We wouldn’t know if the season was only 60 games if we would of made the playoffs or not. Things that happened that led us to make the playoffs may of happened earlier then they did, like TM being fired or Jack being traded and Jeff Carter coming over. The games early on in the NBA may of been sloppy but as the season wore on the games were more exciting as more teams were in the race because of the shortened season. Now I am not advocating for a shortened season. Just going by what is going on. I do believe we will have a season, just can’t say how long it will be.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 10:38 am
@Neil, Would you advocate a shortened season permanently? Say 70 games?
I’m not going to give up easily on being a fan of the sport, the NHL teams and its players, and of course, the LA Kings. It’s by far highest level of hockey available on the planet.
But what we pay for our season tickets on section 214 will more than pay for the largest TV set available at Fry’s. Save on gas, parking fees, traffic aggravation, overpriced food & drink, and the long drive back to the OC when we lose. The sweetener to that is watching Bob & Foxy call ALL the games while we enjoy all the comforts of our home.
Refund, please!
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I’m not purchasing any merchandise or going to any games. Bettman needs to see a drop off in revenue in order to get the message that doing this human fecal waste is NOT O.K!
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Here’s an idea: Why don’t all the Kings players go play in the KHL. The one with the most players on whichever Russian team will be my new team. I’m not sure if AEG is a part of the problem or solution, but i’m sick of bettman, the NHL and money grub teams that don’t help the league like Philly and NYR.
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The best scenario I hear is that opening day will be the Winter Classic.
Otherwise, look for the WHA to come back and replace the NHL….. The World Cup of Hockey.
(And both of those comments come from big money in Toronto….) sad…. strike that…. very sad.
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Neil Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 8:52 am
@Finesse Hockey, The players should say that if the lockout isnt lifted by Oct. 15th…the players will walk out for the Winter Classic…CBA or no CBA ….
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throughout all this…i have to say, thank you nhl 13
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How many of you would support replacement players?
http://www.nesn.com/2012/10/nhl-could-resort-to-replacement-players.html
Wouldn’t it be crazy if the Kings repeated with a team of scabs? I can promise you one thing. I will have absolutely nothing to do with it.
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Maury Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 10:17 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I am not paying the price I pay for my season to see that level of play not to mention parking, food, etc. They’ll play to empty arenas
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Finesse Hockey Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 11:34 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
See, this is what absolutely sucks about the Kings so called options for Season Ticket holders… Option 1, leave your money in and hope… and by the way, your money stays in for the 2013-14 season too. Oh, and we will give you interest that can only be used for the post season or for your renewal next year! But, wait I did not buy season seats for the 2013-14 season yet….
Or Option 2, take your refund for all games missed but if the season is started this year, the Kings will not guarantee your same seat location for any post season games or for the 2013-14 season. What the….
It is basically extortion, if you like your seats and know who has sat next to you for the past decade… Like it is really a choice….
But I tell you this, when I keep my money in and the Kings on the ice are not the Kings that we know and love, that is when I hope the Armani suit owning “Jacobies” that sit in front of me turn around and ask if I want to be part of a class action law suit.
Hey Kings Ticket VP…. what about this option…. All money paid stays in your account until the season is cancelled and that point full refunds will be made WITH THE EXCEPTION of the DEPOSIT that will hold your seats for the 2013-14 season, you may CHOOSE to pull your deposit as well and loose your selected seat location.
Now that would have been Nordstrom level customer service…. geez, did I just drop my man card on that one — my wife says no…. hmmmmmmmmmm.
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Here is some advice from my 11 year old son: split the proceeds 50/50 and start playing.
We had a overnight planned in Ontario and that got cancelled; we had our tickets and were ready for the banner raising, that got cancelled, etc.
Listen to the 11 year old and split it 50/50 while you negoiate and get the season started!
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
October 5th, 2012 at 10:22 am
@Maury,
Insert Bill Paxton in Aliens quote here ^
“Why don’t you put (him) in charge!”
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Damn that’s 6 wins we just lost!!
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Well if there’s no season, at least the Kings would be guaranteed as Stanley Cup Champions for 2 years.
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NHL=No Hockey League.
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