NHL Lockout 2012: NHL and NHLPA at Impass
By Greg Thornberry
Today the NHL owners made known their true priorities. Loud and clear they shouted “It’s all about the Benjamins Baby”. In a unanimous voice, team owners told the world again that there will not be another game played without a new CBA. 
There seemed to be hope during the last couple of days. There was a sense of urgency to get a deal done and lots of talk by the players about giving concessions to get a deal done. Gary Bettman stated that this new offer included things designed to get a deal done ASAP.
Alas, it was not to be. The hockey world appears to be in shock. Could this really be happening again? Barring something unforseen, in October, instead of talking about Stanley Cup contenders and stand out rookies, we will be discussing hockey related revenue and salary rollbacks.
While the players insist that they want to stay at the table until a deal gets done, the NHL has taken a hard stance stating that what they offer now will not be on the table in the event of a lockout.
It appears that the Bettman and the owners are still riding high after the complete robbery of the NHLPA in 2005. Last time around the owners had their way with the players and at the time it was the right thing to do. This time the hard stance is not necessary. Nothing in the owners proposal could have prevented the financial problems in Phoenix and New Jersey, but that is the excuse that they are using.
What do the owners have to gain by a lockout? Let the suits figure out the money and let the players play.
I am not rendering the players blameless, but in the end the vibe that is being given off is that the owners are a bunch of rich men that just want to get richer. The real player salary rollback shouldn’t have to be written in a CBA, it should be owners controlling their irresponsible GM’s from overpaying players in the first place.
With the current CBA set to expire in roughly 72 hours, don’t punish an entire fan base because you can’t control your own spending.
Until next time…..
