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Message: <blockquote data-quote="devilbat" data-source="post: 1761182" data-attributes="member: 20624">I was wondering when someone would start this thread.Here's my take on it.  Keep in mind I am a huge hockey fan.I hope the strike lasts all season.  I even hope it goes into the following season.  I hope the owners eventually bring in replacement players, and break the Union.IMO, this is suicide for the NHL.  The players ignorance is amazing.  They play a sport that is regularly beaten in U.S. television ratings by arena football, Nascar, college football, and yes, bowling.  Yet they think that the sport is healthy, and an open market is the only way to go about business.  The American television contract they do have is a farce.  In essence, they're paying ABC to televise games.Yet, the thought of a salary cap, is an absolute no no.  It works for the two most succesful sports Leagues in North America, the NFL and NBA, but it's not right for the NHL.  This is what happens when you make Canadian prairie boys millionaires, and you convince them to start expressing their opinions.  (Before anyone freaks out, I am a Canadian prairie boy, thus am allowed to make the derogotory comment, and yes I did have hockey hair at several points in my life).How can Trevor Linden keep a straight face when looking at the TV camera and saying that he "Understands how the fans feel".  Sorry Teflon Billy, but I hope Bertuzzi punches him in a scrimmage this winter.  Maybe it will knock some sense into him.It pains me to say that I side with the owners.  They're the ones that caused this problem by paying marginal players obscene amounts of money.  There is no way a third line forward or fifth point man should be making in excess of a million dollars a year.  Hearing John Ferguson JR. complain about the state of the league is hilarious considering his teams payroll.  BUT, they had to do something, some time.  Now I just hope they show the solidarity that the players are spouting.Bettman wishes he was the fourth ranked sport in the states.  Hockey's farther down the ladder then that.Oh and to answer the original questions:the Europeans will all come back after the strike.  They want the same as Cuba did from his agent, "show me the money".Some players will retire.  Mike Keane, Mark Messier and James Patrick off the top of my head.I predict the franchises will all survive, unfortunately.</blockquote>

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