For league ownership to elude that they induced a lockout, for the good of long term NHL viability, no longer has validity. I'm reading over & over that the damage done at this point is so profound that neither side will come out of this with a win, just degrees of loss. This article linked below in particular examines the marketability damage that has been done, and the epic repercussions this stupid pissing contest has caused.
Lockout Damage
It's also now being conveyed by some media sources including Pierre LeBrun, that a number of owners have speculated the leauge may not come outta a season long lockout with 30 teams. LeBrun wrote.......
"And in a comment that I'm hearing more and more from people on the ownership side, I'm not sure the NHL returns with 30 teams on the other side of a lost season. Can the weaker markets truly survive this? That's damage both sides would feel."
So as players stick by Donald Ferh, and allow him to take a year of their careers away, probably reducing the number of overall jobs; and the owners stick by Gary Bettman and allow him to diminish league interest, marketability and profit, they will succeed in doing exactly what they said they were trying to prevent. Long term league stability and growth should come outta this debacle at an all time low, and the future uncertain.
Long gone are the warm & fuzzies of Original 6 teams in Detroit, Chicago, & Boston winning Cups. Long gone is re-newed excitement in Los Angeles & New York. And long gone is the buzz surrounding Winnipeg and Minnesota. All that's left now is resentment, anger, and bitterness. You boys must be very proud of yourselves.
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