NHL

Why won't Bertuzzi be back?

Go Habs Go

Geoff

Bertuzzi won't be back because the NHL won't even let him play street hockey with his own children until he's about 75 years old, at which time he will be allowed to lace up his skates but only to play in an old-timers league where slapshots aren't allowed.

I'm exaggerating, but Bert is my favourite player and I think his suspension has gone far enough. It's time to let him back in the game.

Ditto about the Habs. I miss hockey but I've found an equally entertaining alternative, it starts at the high chool level and goes all the way to Major Junior. Hey If the big boys wouldn't come back it really wouldn't bother me. At the end of the day I think the owners and players are equally guilty of greed.

Although I admit their is a void every saturday night Ronnie Mac and movie night in Canada just isn't cutting it.

I find it hard to get broken up about the whole thing. Millionaires arguing with other millionaires. The last time I took the family to game at the Keg in Montreal it cost close to $400 - and we didn't even buy programs or souvenirs. Sorry - too rich for my blood. Right now I don't care if I never see another hockey game played. I'll stick with the CFL - poor owners and poor players and enthusiastic fans almost as good as watching American college ball but with the bonus of rules that make sense.

Hear here! I'm with you on the CFL part. I just got into it this year (BC bandwagon...I'm off again!) and the crowed enthusiasm was great.

I love all sports, but I love pro hockey the best. The money issue is unfortunate but I've been to a Canucks playoff game (or three), and the excitement is addictive. It's pandemonium! I just love the speed of the game, and the technical skill involved. Exciting stuff.

AMEN Fatman, although I like the junior games, the family(4 of us) can go to a Mooseheads game for less than $100, that includes a pop and 6"subway and maybe a program. Hey and I get to watch Sydney Crosby twice this year, in his old hometown. I too have taken to the CFL, who knows maybe the lack of hockey is what turned me to TRI

I'm with Fat Man. I was an NHL freak for years. Now its all about where the next million is coming from, at the expense of the fans who are the ones who pay the salaries. If I had that kind of attitude towards my employer, I'd be looking for a new job....today. As far as I'm concerned, professional hockey can die a slow and painful death. I'll never watch another game, even if they do resolve things and start up again. They've lost one fan permanently.

I could really care less - although I was an avid hockey fan and still play (not as much as I would like these days) - people complaining about an average salary of US$1.2M? Get real, you're playing a game for crying out loud! And it's not like it is the NFL, NBA or MLB, except for pockets in the US and Canada, nobody really cares about hockey - you cannot make that kind of money playing a fringe sport!

Anyway, to echo the comments of others, the QMJHL is great hockey to watch as is the university hockey in Atlantic Canada - and much cheaper!

I think LaFleur had it right - NHL declares bankruptcy and starts all over at square one - maybe they don't even bring back any of the players that are locked out right now - I am willing to play for $100,000 next year and under a cap. So any GM's out there - sign me up, I'm not very good but will play my heart out for you - oh and btw, drop ticket prices to under $40/seat!

Exactly, just like baseball - only hockey doesn't have the fan base south of the border to support them through the lean years.

Shane,

On of the players for the leasfs said at the onset of this that he was having a hard timne making ends meet on 3.2 mil a year. I'm with you, I'll play for half that next year and rest assured I will be able to make ends meet. You should try one of the MCCain or Subway games they are great as well and take place at Cole Harbour Place or the Dartmouth Sportsplex. The fries and pizza are better at CHP.

Carl, thanks for the info, once everything gets straightened out with the move I'm looking forward to catching some more hockey! Also, I will be in touch once the move is finished as well.

shane

As a Red Wings fan, I'm disappointed the NHL players can't get their act together. Sorry boys, but your sport doesn't generate the TV money like the other biggies.

What's been GREAT for me, however, has been all the Red Wing prospects playing in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The arena is 4 miles from my house and tickets are always available and affordable. I can get a GREAT seat for $15. Beats 6 hours of driving and a $50 nose-bleed seat that was hard to purchase in the first place.

I guess we got it good here in BC...the cheap seats to a Canucks game are about $35 CAD in the regular season, and GM place is such a nice stadium it doesn't matter where you sit.

I think the NHL strike is going the same route as MLB strike did years ago and lose tons of fans!!!  What makes them (the players) think they are so great to earn that kind of money???  I even quit going to my nephew's games because the team "protected" him - -  AND HE'S ONLY 10 YEARS OLD!!!!  Where is this going???
But, I guess,  as long as there is a fan somewhere willing to  pay a price - the games will go on

Minor league Hockey rules! I can get in for about 10 bucks and they're still playing!

On the plus side, the Rangers are still in contention and its nearly December...

Maybe if they would just expand the league a little...

Hey, what about college hockey? I miss those days throwing fish at those Haaaaavaaaaad pansies.

The "ends meat" comment is reminds me of Patrick Ewing saying "We make a lot of money, but we spend a lot of money too." when the NBA was on strike. Being a Red Wing fan, the current system has benefited us more than most and it's been fun. On the other hand, I definately followed hockey much closer before it became an arms race among a few teams. I want hockey back too. . . circa 1985.

Or 1970 & 1972 when we had Bobby Orr and the Bruins won the cup. OLD TIME HOCKEY!!!

Jesus saves.......and Esposito scores on the rebound!

Edited by max 2004-12-04 10:24 PM

I was a little nervous for a while, actually still am for a little while longer. My wife works @ Pepsi Center and there have been talks of lay-offs. I wish these guys would realize that this thing affects more than their multi-million dollar salaries. I just think about the concession workers and the ushers and those other people that count on the minimum wage from working the games.

On a lighter note, I happened to walk into my LBS only to see Joe Sakic walking around in bibs and getting fitted for a bike. Kinda caught me off guard. Guess he has to do something to stay in shape in the "off season."