Hi Kegin,

>I don't disagree with what you're saying (I agree with some type of cap), but recent history has shown that spending big $$$ doesn't bring home the Cup.
>
>Tampa and Jersey (the last 2 Cup winners of record) didn't have particularly high payrolls. Calgary came within a game of winning the Cup, and their payroll is even lower. And yet look at the NY Rangers, a team that has spent tons of money on free agents, and haven't made the post-season since 1997. Philly has spent a fair amount on free agents the last few years, and yet they're usually a 1st or 2nd round flop (except for last season).
>
>This entire situation is a mess. After listening to Bettman and Goodenow's conferences yesterday, it's obvious that the disconnect between both sides is pathetic. The players clearly under-estimated the resolve of the league and owners, and the owners likely thought the players would cave in.
>
>As great as the game is...if it ever comes back, they need to do some things to open up the game. I saw a strange but telling statistic a few months back. In last year's playoffs, the % of games where a lead change occured was the lowest in the modern day history of the sport. That didn't surprise me, because it seemed that in most games, the team that scored first usually won. Typically, only the hard-core fans are going to be interested in games like those.

it won't be enough to only settle the money aspect. They'll have to change the game too. How about giving a penalty to the team guilty of playing the trap. Anti-hockey strategies deserves to be punished <g>

The only way to get back the fans fast is to improve the game right-away when the next season begins. Whenever that is. I'm afraid that the owners will think that only bringing back will be enough to get back the fans.

I say that if they don't have an agreement before next season begins then we could se replacement players.

During the month of january we had free access to NHL Channel or whatever the name of that specialized channel is. I watched Montreal Canadians against Russia in 1974. WOW I almost forgot how interesting to watch that sport is when it's well played.

My prediction about that situation overall:

Players will come back almost crying. In the process they will have lost a lot. Owners have proven that they'll stick together this time. Players simply don't have a choice. Their business is playing hockey. If there's no hockey what will they do?

Owners usually have many businesses or at least their hockey division is not the most profitable one. So if there's no hockey they'll just focus on their other businesses. They'll get back to hockey when the players agree to their demands.