Hockey Schmockey

Alright, here is my perspective. The Owner's were originally responsible for jacking up the rates. They want to win, sure, so they will pay what it takes. Now however, the players will take FULL advantage of that. Why not. If Joe gets 4 Million, why not me? Right? THe problem here is that it is no longer a performance based scale. Not by any means. As I said in the Brett Hull article, they are paying for his name. He can't perform at all anymore. He should be a 3rd or 4rth line guy, but then he doesn't check so what is the point... There are lots of guys like that. Or the hot rookie who did super at the World Juniors... Signs the BIG deal. Anyone remember Alexander Daigle? Heh. The Player's should have come to the table months ago. Seeing "no talks scheduled until... [insert months away date here]" was pathetic. The Star Players (who get the big bucks) don't love the game. They love the paychecks. And now I am convinced of that.

That's what it is all about. The stars and their bucks. Do you seriously think Rob Ray wanted to hold out and not play? Or Kristoff Oliwa for you Flames fans? Of course not! A cap wouldn't even affect them. The rollbacks maybe, but why them? It's the BIG names. The Iginlas, The Jagrs.... Forsberg. Good players, but how many more guys are THAT good and deserve a 5 Million contract. Gimme a break.

All the talk about a new league... Good luck paying enough for these supposed stars to play. I wouldn't watch it. If it was the Rob Rays and the diggers, the heart and soul guys, well for sure! They make or break a game. How would a new league work if those rich boys don't want a pay cut? Tough questions... tough call...

Maybe the owners should set their own caps. Stop buying the expensive guys. I mean, look at Calgary. They realistically have ONE expensive guy. And they should only have ONE, based on the player's performances. In fact, I would venture that the highest paid guy on the team should not be Iginla, but rather Gelinas. He is easily the hardest working guy on the team... Calgary kicked ass last year with an average roster. Look at the Rangers. What a joke there. They sign all these loser "superstars" that can't do up their own skates, and they don't even make the playoffs... I hope Forsberg goes there next year HAHA! If they don't sign the expensive guys, they don't lose the cash.