Brett Hull wishes all you buffalo fans a happy halloween. love it!
http://twitter.com/2ndBestHull/status/260898190503596034/photo/1
http://twitter.com/2ndBestHull/status/260898190503596034/photo/1
Now, one of the main contentions I've seen from critics on these proposals is that growth rate, which strikes me as odd. The NHL has grown at an average of 7.2 per cent a season under the previous collective agreement, something that allowed them to go from roughly $2.1-billion in revenues to $3.3-billion in just seven years.
(And keep in mind that the rise of the Canadian dollar made up only 0.9 to 1.5 per cent of that growth per season, depending on which side you ask. I'll let you guess which is using which.)
Projecting forward over the next five years at 5 per cent, assuming they played a full season this year, hardly seems onerous.
In fact, the growth rate was an incredible 10.2 and 9.6 per cent the last two seasons.
Proof that it's not that unreasonable? Even the league itself isn't contesting the fact it's likely to grow at that rate – aside from any impact from missing 2012-13 games due to a lockout.
Aside from the other contractual issues that are left unsettled, however, that's the slim margin we're talking about here, one that could and should have been made up for in negotiations this week.
That it hasn't is a sad commentary on the sorry state of relations between these two sides. There's so much distrust that it appears they don't even know when they're not far away from what they're both asking for.
It's sad, and it's silly. And they're running out of time before games are killed off, projected revenues drop and the gap widens again.
This is why I'm most disappointed about losing the season. After such a terrible start last year the hurricanes were looking very promising closing out the year. I am/was excited to see the off-season additions as well.avalon said:they look to have a strong team heading into this year. They could really build their fanbase further with a playoff run.
I, for one, will be thrilled to have Jordan Staal the hell out of Pittsburgh. He's really good. (Ugly as sin, though.)
It will be interesting to see how he does as a top line center. In Pittsburgh he has been on the 2nd and 3rd line and that jump to 1st line center is not an easy one to make. That being said, a top line of Staal, Staal and Semin has some serious potential to put up points.
GODDAMN I WANT HOCKEY!
Scarrison Booney @HarrisonMooney
NHL: "Here, have these poison cupcakes!" NHLPA: "No, they're poison." NHL: "THEN WE WITHDRAW THEM HOW ABOUT THAT"
Dave Hodge - TSN @TSNDave Hodge
NHL withdraws latest proposal. Similarly, my dinner offer to Charlize Theron is off the table.