Had a chance to catch up to the President of Business Operations and Hall-of-Famer Luc Robitaille last week…we chatted about a few things but zeroed in on a recent trip Luc took back to the east coast to check out the Kings’ scouting operations and to be inducted into the Quebec Sports Hall-of-Fame…in Part 1 Luc talks about spending some time with the Manchester Monarchs!
JF: How much of your trip to the east coast with Dean, Hexy and Mike O’Connell was about watching players and how much was about observing the scouting process that the Kings organization uses?
Luc Robitaille: I think for me, that whole process over the last few years, I never seemed to have the. We’ve been on such a rebuild for a long time on everything else we’ve done and when I saw that we had a little bit of time, I talked to Dean and asked him when some of his next scouting trips would be and he was great enough to say, I’m doing this trip and can you make it? I would say, a lot of it had to do with knowing all the staff in Manchester, knowing the young players, getting to know them because I know they’re going to be here (with the Kings), those are the same guys that we’re going to do a lot of stuff with…knowing the organization as a whole, at the same time it was great to spend some time with Ron Hextall, with Dean and Mike O’Connell and see the process too and how they evaluate players, how they, because you know as a player and sometime I try to remember, I always remind myself I’m still a player, you think winning, winning is everything but when you start looking at your team in Manchester and so forth, the growth of those young players is really important. Winning is a part of because then they’ll become better players they win and so forth but, it was really interesting how I was part of a video session where we broke down a player we watched, a player, just a film of him, to really go through that and Mike O’Connell does a phenomenal job at that and just to sit down with those guys and be kind of like a fly on the wall and be part of it, I thought it was really interesting and I love the game so it’s fun. When those players come up here we all have better insight into everything that we’re doing with the organization.
JF: Just to clarify, it’s more an organizational thing than it is getting to know a “type” of defensemen and what he’s doing on the ice, or how good a shot a certain player has?
Luc Robitaille: It’s more of an organizational thing, it’s great for me to go there because I know who the players that the organization’s happy about, who they like, what’s going on, who has an opportunity to come back, to come up, to do what, like to see Dwight King play there I know he’s coming up this year, to saying hello to Jordan Nolan, obviously to see Quicker (Jonathan Quick) there was great and to talk a little bit with those guys, if this guy comes up, he’s going to have this role in the organization so for us, to position him with our fans, to understand that what he’s going to do, like an enforcer, our fans love enforcers…like a hero…like King in the playoffs, they (Kings fans) love that kind of player but what we forget about is he’s a big guy he can be a very physical presence and our fans love these kinds of players so it’s good for me to know them, to see where he’s going to be positioned when he is on the Kings’ roster.
JF: When you get into those types of scouting meetings, is there a lot of discussion where you present your case on a certain player…you saw a guy play three times…think he’s this, this, and this. Do you bounce that off the other guys and then they give their input too or is it just making a presentation?
Luc Robitaille: I was more there to be a fly on the wall. I think over time, if our organization does things really well, which we’re on our way to doing that, Dean has his entire scouting staff at the right place, it’s important for us re the vision of our organization…where we’re going, which is what we’ve worked on for five years…a guy like me that’s running the business, if I understand what’s coming up, who’s involved with the organization, I can position that player in the right place and we can keep growing our vision, I mean that’s really the way I look at it.
JF: Did anything surprise you or catch your attention in this process, something maybe caught you off guard?
Luc Robitaille: I think the arenas are beautiful in the minor leagues. They’ve got an unbelievable set up, I mean the whole set up of the minor league is a whole different thing than it was when I was young, I mean these guys are treated, they’re treated actually better than when you and I were players, I mean their treatment in the locker room and everything around is better than when you and I were playing or the earlier ‘80s when you were playing, that’s how much the game has changed, players at the AHL level are treated on an entirely different level…everything is personalized, it’s really close to what it is up here and I think they are treated really well but in a good way, they deserve it. I think it should be that way and in a lot of ways, better than when you and I were players, except that they take the bus! But we had middle seats and we had to take two, three flights just to go to Edmonton.
JF: Going to talk about scouting in a different way. Your numbers in junior were spectacular, yet you’re a ninth round pick, a low pick. Did the scouts miss something?
Luc Robitaille: I don’t think they missed anything because my first year in junior, I think I got like 85 points or something like that which is not bad, not great and our team was, we didn’t make the playoffs, we didn’t have a good team and I don’t think any scouts came to our games. The one scout that came to our games was Mr. Smart, Alex Smart, because he lived in Ottawa (just across the river from Hull, Quebec) and he just came to, I think he came to see the visiting team. Most scouts in those days used to go to Laval, Laval was the big team with Mario (Lemieux) and everybody wanted to see all the young guys play against him. Mario was one of my idols so I think I had good game but it’s not something I had planned, I think Mr. Smart saw my passion for the game, I remember I asked him, what did you see…he told me I just saw that you loved the game…that’s what he saw, he saw that in me, that I wasn’t going to give up over anything and he pushed to draft me, I don’t think anybody wanted to really draft me for the Kings, he was the only guy, so it’s like they gave him a pick to draft me.
JF: The big question mark was your skating, it seems obvious, but, did you improve your skating?
Luc Robitaille: Every day. Every day. I remember being a midget age player and a friend of mine gave me a pair of roller blades and I had a choice to get the hard wheels and go faster or softer wheels and I said give me the soft wheels, I want to work hard at it and that’s when I was, I was maybe 14 or 15 and every day I would go outside because I remember I used to go out and skate and try to extend the length of my stride because they said I had to improve that. I would ask my dad, we didn’t have a lot of money, can I do this power skating school, this other power skating school, I would take my rollerblades and go out there and practice my three step starts, all the time and I remember playing until there was snow, I would put on my rollerblades before the game, an hour or two before the game and skate because they were so heavy that I would get on the ice and my skates would feel so light. There’s one thing I know, people would say I wasn’t a great skater but I was quick enough to get to the loose pucks. That I know. I would always ask my dad, is it true I’m not fast and he said, I know one thing, when there’s a loose puck you’re going to be first on it all the time and I took a lot of pride in that, I don’t know if it was either my brain or the way I cut the ice or the way I read the game but I got to every loose puck.
JF: I don’t want to build expectations too high, that is always a concern when comparing a young player to a Hall-of-Fame, but from what I hear, Tyler Toffoli, I talked to Dwight King about him in an interview I did and Dwight says Tofolli knows where to go. Do you see any similarities, there’s also concern about Tyler’s skating, between the way he plays and the way you played?
Luc Robitaille: Well, no it’s not about that. I think he’s a really good player, he’s definitely got something you can’t teach, actually that’s not true, you can teach that but a lot of people are not willing to learn that. He finds a way to be at the right place at the right time at all times. When I was there, he didn’t score in the two games that I saw him play but he had 8 good scoring chances. I remember I was sitting with Mike O’Connell and I go, my God he is going to score because he’s the one guy on the Monarchs that stops in front of the net every single time, he’s the only guy. I don’t know why he’s the only guy. They can say whatever they want but I know that he stops, sooner or later, he’s going to hit it somewhere…it’s going to go in the net and it’s going to get by. He’s one of those players that has the knack to find a way to read the game and to get into the hole that’s kind of like the dead space…like Brett Hull, myself, we were able to do that and he’s one of those players, the game the way it’s played today, it’s so fast, it’s so powerful that when you watch him play he’s just got to keep working on his three steps just to get that NHL…bang bang bang. Kopi (Anze Kopitar) –it took him a couple years and now you can clearly tell he’s got separation—he’s not the fastest—he’s got separation and if Tyler get’s that separation, I think he’s going to be a very dangerous player in the NHL.
You don’t have to be a fancy NHL scout to tell Toffoli is going to be an NHL top 6 forward in the very near future. Watched him on AHL Live 4 times this season and he reminds me of Luc A LOT!!! To watch him play nothing stands out all that much except his positioning and his wirst shot release. Finding that dead space in front of the net at the right moment and getting the shot off accurately and very very quickly.
Two other players stand out for me. Tanner Pearson is going to be good. He reminds me of Dave Taylor when he was very young. Then there is this Bodnarchuk defenseman we somehow got from Boston’s farm system. Bodnarchuk can skate extremely well. Very good at getting the puck out of his own end and onto a forwards stick. There is a reason Bodnarchuk leads the Monarchs in plus/minus.
[Reply]
Thanks Jim as always very good reading, thanks.
Yep I agree Toffoli is very good and thanks Luc for some input into the system, old and new.
[Reply]
With Luc as the President, is there anyone who still wonders how we won the Cup? OT, one of the highlights we have had the past two summers was visiting Luc’s display case at the HHOF. We noticed this year that the HHOF had changed the displays by adding the players autographs across the top corner of their display case. We noticed that Luc’s didn’t seem right and brought it to the attention of the HHOF staff (yes, we were wearing Kings jerseys). They said that was his signaure and asked how we would know what Luc’s autograph looked like. My son then presented them with his Kings hat and said “Thats his signature” pointing to Luc’s autograph above the Kings logo. Luc needs to stop in at the HHOF and fix that imposter scribble on his case and arrange for Jim Fox to get a HHOF display case also. Thank Jim for the great interview.
[Reply]
Great read Jim, that’s a great thing about the NHL in improving the AHL to bring it up to the personalized standards it has. That’s how you teach and bring out the best in the players to perform at a higher standard.
I’m glad the Kings are supporting the Monarchs in this way.
Also, with Luc, as with yourself, you command respect but you also give it back. That to me, is the sign of a true champion.
GO KINGS.
[Reply]
Guys,
Does @A Cup B4 I Died! come around much still?
I just stumbled upon a photo that he might want to see from after game 6:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mrmaqrcaqunrlrm/LA-NY%20108.jpg
Still praying for hockey…
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@LA_1968, havent seen him in a while, but yes he still comes on here (it’s been a few weeks I think since his last post)
BTW, that is an awesome picture!
[Reply]
rumpa #19 Reply:
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:28 pm
@LA_1968, He will see your post i bet, a lot of us on here read and dont comment . Great photo, hope he sees it.
[Reply]
All hail the King of Kings LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCC!
CBA update: Players to meet with select owners.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8702541/nhl-lockout-players-owners-only-meeting-set-tuesday
Why no James Dolan owner of the NYR & NY Knicks he was key in negotiating the NBA CBA after a 3 month impasse at the table? Perhaps Bettman felt his negotiating ability was unwelcome. James Dolan publically called for an opportunity to be involved. Watchout James you are very close to getting a half million dollar fine from the NHL.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:57 pm
@luc20rules, The fact that Jacobs is still in there doesn’t make me optimistic that progress will be made. Here’s hoping the Maple Leafs owner stands up and says, “I’m losing a million dollars for every game lost you blankhole Jacobs. Sign the freaking deal already”.
This week is another one where progress “could” happen. There’s the meeting tomorrow between the 2 sides, and the Board of Governers meeting on Wednesday. If nothing comes of either meetings, I see decertification in the future.
P.S. Thanks for the interview Jim, I really enjoyed it.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
December 3rd, 2012 at 7:46 pm
@CB14,
thanks JIM for the great story…
yeah…it’s now a game of who’s side of the zone the faceoff is played…
[Reply]
Well there is talk on the East Coast now there is a glimmer of light maybe coming, just in time for a Christmas present? Only the owners and players know for sure and we all should find out later today, meeting at 2 PM East Coast and 11 AM West Coast
Let’s all keep our Hockey Fingers Crossed!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
@GailWeb, Pens owner is there and he is an extremely sharp businessman from what I’ve read. The Jet’s owner is also there which is a mid-market kind of team. Unfortunately Boston’s cheap arse is also there. We’ll see.
[Reply]
GailWeb Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@KC23, Thanks
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
@GailWeb, I a few days we will know if the glimmer of light is the end of the tunnel or the train that has gained speed and mommentum for Season Cancellation. I’d feel the tracks, and get ready to hug the wall.
[Reply]
Good article about John Collins
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/john-collins-nhl-coo-could-costly-lockout-casualty-152021692–nhl.html
[Reply]
“like an enforcer, our fans love enforcers,”- I hate enforcers!! They take up space on the roster and when they loose a fight; it makes the other team optimistic. We need guys like Kyle Clifford, Jordan Nolan, Dwight King that NOT ONLY can drop the gloves, but has really good scoring abilities. I remember Kyle Clifford on a breakaway fed by rob scuderi…..couldn’t believe he had such good hands.
Sorry, Westgarth is a good Kings PR man, but Kings should have FOUR lines that threatens to score every night and not just this line relugated to check, to score, etc. All four should always think about putting the puck into the net. A good example is lines 1 and 2, both have snipers BUT also they’re impressive in the forecheck. Forecheck talent SHOULD be a gimmie with ALL the players. We have the talent; look at Kopitar, richards, stoll, Fraser. All could put the puck into the net but ALSO have an all around defensive quality about them. We don’t need goons, on the other hand we don’t need a Gretzky either. We won the cup because if you look at our roster our team is made up of a lot of Richards, Browns…….etc. Guys who are tough yet can put the puck into the net.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@rogiesbackup,
Our enforcer option is better than most teams have (and almost every team has one), and during the season the Kings have decided they need one. Our 4rth line very seldom ever hurts us defensively, and takes less penalties per/60 than most teams 4rth lines. Even with him in the line up, the Kings still roll 4 lines (they’ll just alternate Westy for whoever’s hot in offensive situations).
I’d rather leave the formula the way it is because it works. Westy might see a lot less minutes this season under Sutter than he did under TM, but he is a big part of the chemistry that has been built here, and his teammates love him.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
@Dominick, With Gagne healthy, and everyone having been signed, even if there are no surprises from training camp we are already one forward over the limit. That might make Westgarth the odd man out as Nolan and Clifford are not shy with their fists and would seem to be less of a liability on the 4th line.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@rogiesbackup, +1
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
@rogiesbackup, +1
[Reply]
Kovalchuk sucks!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@DesertKing, Not like DD though! He is the bad kind of “sucks”.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@DesertKing, How sweet was it to watch him completely fail against us to give us our 1st cup win?
Very very sweet for me. After we won I couldn’t help but think … hey Kovalbucks, go enjoy your money while we celebrate our cup win thanks to your failure as a top line forward in the biggest series of your life. All that money isn’t going to buy you a cup.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
@DesertKing, I believe it was his greed that eventually gave us the right chemistry for a cup winning team. I just don’t see the Kings winning the Cup if we signed Kovalsuck. I just saw him cherry picking way too often the last 2 years. I know the Kings D and basically the PK are probably strong enough to support that, but its bad for team chemistry IMHO.
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:14 am
@DesertKing, Amongst other things I got the idea that he liked NJ because of the direct flights to Moscow from JFK. LAX has them too but I don’t think he realized that. 4 hours longer in first class. What a drag. I’d say he’s destined to never win a cup.
[Reply]
Any updates on the meeting today?
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@Lake Forest, Nothing I’ve heard so far and often that is good news in of itself.
[Reply]
I think it wasn’t so much your speed Luc, but how you anicipated where the puck was going to be. Plus that really fast release, and accuracy from that 1/2 wind up slap shots. Froze many goaltenders in their place.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@Dominick, You seen Toffoli? You just described him perfectly. He looks to be a good one, but we’ll see if defensively he’ll be able to keep up.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@KC23,
Send him to TM for half a season and he will learn HOW to play defense then send him back to DS so he can learn WHEN to play defense.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
@DesertKing, That would be funny if it wasn’t so true, but I think DS can teach defense just fine. Manchester does seem to be having trouble teaching DS’s methods however. Seems it takes a great deal of skill to go along with the proper reads to really do it right.
Jone’s game (Monarchs goaltender) sure isn’t progressing all that well this season. I see the Manchester just signed a goaltender try out contract.
[Reply]
Simarosa Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
@KC23, Mànnino has been with Monarchs all season after signing pto, now he just signed an ahl contract. Thank goodness as Jones has issues this season on regular basis.
[Reply]
Great interview. Thanks for that.
Quick question. Have any of you noticed that all the comments on TSN’s website that are pro owner get high + ratings and any comments that are pro player get big – ratings? I figured there would be fans of both sides, but it’s so one sided…what do you think the chances are of the NHL actually having people posting / rating on media sites like TSN?
Just curious to see what you guys think.
Wish we were watching us playing to repeat right now!!!
(by the way, say Cliffy live in Ontario on Saturday. He looked awesome…so much better than everyone else. And he wasn’t just coasting out there. He was one of the hardest working guys on that team. Props to him for not just slaking in the wake of his Cup win)
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 6:38 pm
@Mudfish4,
+1 reference Clifford. That goal he scored had a definite “scorers touch” on it.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
@Mudfish4, Considering they hired a PR firm to help them look like the good guys in the lockout, (A lockout that they imposed BTW), nothing would surprise me.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
@Mudfish4, I would be horrified if he wasn’t in the best shape of his life. Remember he lost his starting job after suffering a concussion in the 1st round of the playoffs. Not to mention he also got demoted early in the year to the 4th line after being given a spot on the 3rd line based his previous year. He is probably eager to show he should be in the starting lineup if not a higher line, but thats a matter for post new CBA if that ever happens.
[Reply]
The players and owners still talking after taking a break for dinner.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl-talks-resume-unusual-session-083503095–nhl.html
[Reply]
Dustin Penner gets intern job because of lockout!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SEPqAyZ3dRM
[Reply]
Don’t think I trust that this guy has sources involved, but he is very optomistic from todays talks. Bad News is Bettman and Fehr according to him have re-entered for the evening session of talks, but that could also mean that they have reached a general possible compromise?
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/21265828/nhl-lockout-playersownersonly-meeting-stretches-into-night-as-optimism-rises
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
@luc20rules, Katie Strang reports Bettman & Fehr didn’t join the Evening meeting and the group of players & owners were still locked in a room talking at 11pm ET. She also echoed that no details released, but talks are going well and Burkle (Pitt Owner) & Sidney Crosby are the voices of reason avoiding heated/deadlock momments.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8712608/sources-cautious-optimism-nhl-owners-players-meeting
[Reply]
Just incase anyone has missed you have too watch Dustin Penner’s Internship skit on Conan.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/dustin-penner-interns-conan-o-brien-during-la-135630691–nhl.html
[Reply]
Let's do it again Reply:
December 4th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
@luc20rules, now that’s funny .
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:17 am
@Let’s do it again, Thanks for that
[Reply]
I know there is no Hockey, so thank god the lakers are horrible!
Makes me happy! All my friends are Laker fans. I hate basketball
[Reply]
Finally, a sense of urgency, eh? Still, they can cancel the games until the end of December tomorrow. Not the entire season yet but who cares at this point? I don’t need 60 games season. Cancel em all already. F the NHL.
[Reply]
Phoenix Cryotes changing name to Arizona Cryotes…..
Meh, I hated when Arte change the Angels name.
….and we’re back to the There’s a chance stage.
[Reply]
Thanks but no thanks to the shortened season. I’m already enjoying the news from Sweden or other countries. I hope Kopi bros and B. Ryan will play together until the next season. Please, cancel the entire season so some TV companies would buy rights from other leagues or at least we can watch the game on the internet.
[Reply]
Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 2:10 am
@goldielocks, i’d be fine with that at this point
[Reply]
7MILforHickey Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 9:31 am
@Kings Fan In Temecula, you should marry bobby ryan bro
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 9:45 am
@goldielocks,
Bobby Ryan is a sniveling cheap shot artist and should be kept as far as possible from the Kopitar brothers.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 10:30 am
@DesertKing,
Poor guy was contaminated by Getzlaf and Perry. He’ll be purified by playing with Kopi bros.
[Reply]
7MILforHickey Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
@goldielocks, okay ducks fan.
The fact that the owners and players took a dinner break, then got back to it great. Plus starting at 9am today. That’s what motivated people do. Not starting at 11am and then taking days to get back together. First time I’ve seen this so far.
[Reply]
very early in the morning….
and this is pure speculation – so don’t chafe my hide…:)
however…
from what i understand, today’s “bargaining session” is huge…
they are suppose to finalize the HRR split and head into peripheral issues, like the owners giving up on their entry-level term limit demands and the players perhaps giving in to the 28/8, second contract/(third in some cases or more) terms/ufa eligibility…i think what will happen in return is the limit of insurance the players pay in escrow, meaning that the owners will assume more liability in p&l in lieu of the players conceding to the 28/8 stigma….that means more money up front, which i think the players will fall for…(and i do think it’s a ploy by the owners to get that 5 year/$5million max in for the second contract)….
and i think that’s where the compromise will be…:
the season starts at the latest on January 2…there’s a 50 game season implemented…(no true fan will be happy with that)…and the players get a pro-rated, paid-in-full salary per the terms of their existing contract for this year….
that’s a good bargain for both…(look, the players have to minimize the colonoscopy their gonna take)…as long as the NHL keeps the 3 year incremental slide towards a “true” 50/50 split…
so…
the players get their pro-rated salary this year and get to keep the current three year entry-level contract max intact, thus saving them a year to bargain based upon improved performance towards a new deal…it could also mean that the second contract for the player maxes out at four years, since most entry-level contracts are signed by players at age 21…the players minimize the earnings loss their bound to take, by making that second contract a four year max if they are age 24 at the end of their entry-level deal…
to me, no matter how you slice it, the owners are dead-set on making the third contract…if a player follows this common formula…the most lucrative….that would mean a player doesn’t make prime money until they hit their prime…which makes sense…
but it hurts superstars entering the league…because even though their stats, performance and winning might compare to a 28/8 superstar, they can only max out at $5mil/per for for five or four years max…
can anyone imagine the next sidney crosby, alex ovechkin and steven stamkos not make top money if they are the not only the face of their own respective franchise, but the face of the league, until they reach 28/8 status…?
and that’s the real big compromise the players are being asked to take…
i’d say if we lose a season based upon this, i wouldn’t be happy, but i would totally understand the players point of view…
listen, the owners have been notoriously dishonest about their actual wealth and their financial bonafides…dare i say, some NHL franchises are mimicking the KHL’s way of accounting…
but…as usual…it has to be the players that make the compromise…and as much as i feel that whatever season that could be created in the aftermath of the lockout would be a sham…and have the Maris asterisk forever be attached to it…(or should i modernize it and say the barry bonds asterisk?)…the sides have to agree to something before the christmas break….that’s eally the ultimate deadline…
my hypothesis of a compromise, reluctantly favors the owners….personally, i would rather have the players lose a season for the benefit of standing for what’s right – true faith in labor negotiations, full financial transparency from the owners and a true 50/50 split effective immediately in lieu of the players getting a pro-rated contract for this year and less deferments (escrow) over the duration of their contracts…
i still don’t think that this whole “second contract” theory won’t work for the owners because they are bound to overpay for talent – it happens every year…
and that’s why there’s really no long-term end in site…
sure, a deal might get done…but the lack of trust will still be their from the players, as will the lingering bitter taste, as that they had to give up even more concessions from a previous deal that was hailed by owners and their talking headache, bettman, as a future CBA that will help make the NHL more profitable for years to come…
that’s why it’s impossible to get behind the owners for any reason…
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 8:57 am
@variable, Nice post. Somewhat disagree with the reference to the owners being dishonest. I am not on their side, I’m not on anyone’s side. and totally disagree with the KHL comparison. These “owners/companies” are not doing anything illegal. What they are doing is best for their business and the NHL, whether it be for negotiations (which is not really their reason) or taxes, which is my assumption.
Again I am not on any one side, do I want to see a season loss for the benefit of what you or the players BELIEVE/THINK is right?? HELL NO. You could of said that as a reason for the last lockout and look how the players made out! Were they hurt by those negotiations, not at all. Has the game grown exponentially since the last lockout, yes.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
@Lake Forest,
i was being a lil’ snarky with the KHL reference…
i’m just not a fan of a shortened season scenario IF both sides walk away bitter…simply because i’m getting tired of the NHL trying to reinvent labor negotiations every few years….
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
@variable, Gotcha, and while I agree with you, we have to understand that things change and it’s a necessary part of the game. There will always be two separate parties and so on.
What I’d prefer is to see a longer CBA deal 10 years would be nice
luc20rules Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
@variable, Thanks, If a CBA is done. Where are the Salary Caps falling? I think that will be impactful for other teams. It may effect the Kings next summer as they try to bring back Mitchell & Brown with Quick’s new 5 mil/year on the books.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
@luc20rules, My mistake 2 summers from now Brown & Mitchell have there contracts end, but I just keep thinking we can sign them to extentions starting 7/1/2013.
[Reply]
Podium set up for Bettman in NY now. The announcement for the entire season cancellation? Guess not … damn.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 11:09 am
@goldielocks,
Bettman didn’t axe it … maybe he’ll squash it after the meeting.
[Reply]
I refuse to get my hopes up.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 10:54 am
@Michael J.,
I just refuse to get up.
[Reply]
They did spend 10 hours and went until after midnight their local time. We may see some NHL hockey this year after all. I only have two real regrets regarding this lock out:
1) We lost Rich Hammond
2) David Courtny won’t be announcing on the banner raising.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 11:29 am
@KC23,
Agree
[Reply]
The Weasel Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@DesertKing,
+1
[Reply]
variable Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
@KC23,
+2…
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
@KC23, +1
[Reply]