Tuesday, January 8, 2013

10 Post NHL Lockout Thoughts



 

Well, after 113 days of easily the silliest display of childish bickering, posturing, and finger-pointing, the NHL Lockout Part III is indeed over.  Hockey is back, we will see a season (presumably 48 games), and the ultimate idiocy (canceling yet another season) has been avoided.  With that said, here are ten random thoughts of mine now that the smoke has cleared:




  1. It's about damn time!  It took you 113 days to come up with the parameters just about everyone knew you would ultimately settle on?  Really?  And next time, please start negotiations six months to a year in advance to avoid this lunacy.  Please and thank you.
  2. The powers that be on both sides (Bettman and Fehr) are simply the stupidest smart people in the history of professional sports.  The damage that has been done to the league and its fans and its sponsors by this lockout is irreparable.  They either didn't realize it or they didn't care.  Either way it's bad business.  Which leads me to my next thought...
  3. By the time this new CBA expires, both Bettman and Fehr need to be replaced.  Gary is responsible for three lockouts in his tenure and that is unacceptable.  Period.  Donald has a history of being as hard-headed as they come and already almost killed baseball.  Enough.  Both are egomaniacs who are clueless about hockey's fan base.  They need to be served their walking papers in the relatively near future.
  4. In the beginning of the season the hockey is going to be, in the words of the lunch lady in Billy Madison: "exxxxtraa schhlllaaaawwwpppy!"  Those who played overseas will have to get used to the smaller ice again as well as better competition and those who didn't play...well...without preseason games and with a shortened camp it's going to take some time for players and teams to get into form.
  5. With the sloppiness we will see a lot of injuries.  My guess is that a month into the season the injury list on TSN.ca will be filled with groin injuries.  Good times.
  6. The 48-game season, once teams round into form, will produce some thrilling hockey.  Every game will be important.  Teams will not be able to afford extended losing streaks.  Last year's Red Wings team that was ravaged by injuries and thrown into a tailspin would maybe miss the playoffs this year.  This will be interesting.
  7. With the new CBA reportedly having buyout clauses and a lower cap, we are about to see some player movement.  And soon.  It could be an interesting few weeks leading up until opening night.
  8. The Leafs will still stink and miss the playoffs.
  9. Sidney Crosby will still whine constantly when another player breathes on him, Patrick Kane still won't play a lick of defense, and Pavel Datsyuk will still be the best player in the world and under appreciated.  I have accepted all three as staples of the modern NHL.
  10. The Red Wings will have a tough year barring a true impact trade.  They may still get into the playoffs since they still have the likes of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and on some nights, Johan Franzen.  That talent alone in what looks to be a mediocre Central Division should get them in.  However, us as fans have to face the reality that the team lost arguably the best defenseman in history in Nick Lidstrom and another good one in Brad Stuart without replacing them.  Mike Babcock is going to have his work cut out for him.
These are my thoughts so take them how you will.  Call me an idiot, a Crosby hater, whatever.   If you're a fellow hockey fan then we can agree on one thing:  DROP THE PUCK ALREADY!!!

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