Dont' Feel Bad For Either Side

The NHL Lockout, angering and upsetting every hockey fan that lives for hockey season (which is all of us), is in full effect and doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon. Opinions among team managements, analysts, and fans are starting to swirl about who is right and who is wrong in this whole mess. However, there is one set of people who are not praying for hockey just because they love watching it. These are the people that rely on hockey to give them a job, to provide for their families, and to support themselves. These are the hundreds of team employees that may aren't the presidents and vice presidents. They make $20,000-$50,000 a year and are either having their salaries cut or being laid off from their position due to budget cuts.

The NHL was the first one to announce cutbacks just about a week ago in the wake of the lockout. They announced nobody would be laid off, but certain employees would cut back to four day work weeks and see pay cuts worth 20%. A 20% pay cut may not seem anything to an owner or somebody that makes a few hundred thousand a year, but for those who are working just to make ends meet, 20% is a huge hit for them. NHL teams have also started to announce certain cut backs since money is not coming in and doesn't seem like it will for some time. The Vancouver Canucks are one of them and did just as the NHL did, nobody loses their job, but employees will take a 20% cut and four day work weeks.

That was until the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators announced in the past 48 hours that they will have to let some jobs go. The amount of jobs cut by the Senators was not immediately known, however, St. Louis announced they are cutting just under 20 jobs and the rest of the employees will work four days per week with pay cuts. Some of these jobs are being abolished for good and will not be filled again at any time. Those are just three teams so far that have cut back due to the lockout, with many more on the way. As it goes on and on, money will decline within organizations and they will be forced to take action. 

Don't blame just the owners for the removal of jobs....the players are just as guilty. Remember there is an NHL league minimum player wage of somewhere around $500,000 (it changes). That, plus bonuses that players receive because it does not add onto the salary cap, give the players PLENTY of money to make it through some time off. They are not the ones pulling strings to get by. It's the lower wage employees of the teams and league getting the brunt of the situation. It's not only these people either. Think of all the television workers who rely on hockey to provide them with work. What about the concession stand workers, the security guards, arena staff, etc that are getting pushed out because hockey is on a lockout? Nobody is thinking of them.

So the next time you think about taking a side between the NHL and NHLPA, remember that neither are helping the situation and as it gets worse, jobs and money are being cut by the league and organizations, hurting those such employees. It's really a shame to see these people suffer in something they have zero involvement in. The players are not hurting for money right now, nor are the owners of course. Next time you think about taking a side, think about the hard working individuals for teams cutting pay cuts and lay offs for nothing of their reason. Does that sound fair......?

The Longer We Wait, The Worse It Gets

At first, it was just a small number of NHL players that left to play overseas when the NHL vs NHLPA lockout officially began about ten days ago on September 15. However, recently, more and more names have been signing contracts to play with clubs in other leagues over in Europe. Obviously, this isn't a sign of hope as most players are beginning to prepare for the worst, a full season without the NHL. Many still believe a deal will get done, but as time goes on, I see it as a death sentence for the 2012-2013 season that should have began last week with training camp.

The key hope that has been focused on for weeks is that the last time the NHL had a lockout, the teams were not even close to talking as oppose to this time where there is communication. The problem with that is the communication has resulted in nothing being agreed upon so far and the meetings have dwindled in numbers the past few weeks. In fact, there aren't any meetings between the league and NHLPA on the schedule. Closed door meetings between the bosses of each group continue a few times a week, but obviously without scheduling a legitimate NHLPA/NHL meeting, we can see not much is actually getting done. That is a major cause for concern because the days are ticking away and little by little games on the schedule are being canceled. Without official meetings, there is absolutely zero hope for the fans.

The main issue right now between the two sides is revenue sharing. All sports revolve around money and at the end of the day money is always the issue. This is not good in this case because both sides are driving hard for the deal they want. Both sides are represented by firm individuals that won't settle for much less than what they want, making it a very complicated situation. The players received 57% share of the revenue during the last CBA agreement. After seeing the NFL and NBA restructure their revenue sharing to a near 50/50 split, the NHL now wants to sit the players at 49% to start, with that amount lowering each year. Each percent represents about $30 million dollars. The players are looking more at a deal of around 54% each year, something the owners will not allow to happen. With money being a main focus as it always is, it's hard to expect a spur of the moment deal, further agonizing the pain of the fans waiting for hockey season.

With this, time is on the side of the NHL owners. Their first money-making venture of the season will be the 2014 Winter Classic, the NHL's biggest event of the year. They are in no rush to make a deal as they aren't technically losing much money. The players on the other hand have a pay day coming up midway through the month of October. They will be the aggressors come early October to try and wheel a deal. If they want their first season paycheck, they will have to come up with something by this time. If not, they will be losing money very soon.  However, with Don Fehr running the show, they won't be so quick to jump into an agreement in which they aren't getting what they want.

This battle is just as bloody as the last one and we all know what happened with that season. It's already becoming a struggle everyday to read the headlines of nothing happening on the forefront and nothing in the immediate future. As time goes on, I don't see things getting better in time to save this season. There is probably a month left to get a deal done. If November hits and nothing has been done, I fully expect nothing to get done and the 2012-2013 season to be lost. Pray for the opposite, but don't be confident either.

Who Will Win Each Division

Starting now through September, I will be taking a look at where I feel each team will finish in their respective divisions and conferences, based off their lineups coming into the year. It will end eventually with an article based around three teams I think can make it all the way to the Cup. At this point of the year, it is all a guessing game as nobody knows what will come of the regular season.....if there is a regular season. Anything from injuries to under/over-performing to trades can change the dynamic not only of a team, but a division and conference as they fight for a playoff spot. This article will base around who I think will be the top team in each division. 

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division: The Northeast Division is slowly becoming more competitive. The Bruins have been the head of the class the past few seasons, including a Stanley Cup, and want to do the same this year. The Buffalo Sabres, after a rough first season for new owner Terry Pegula, they are healthy and ready to go and make a run. The Maple Leafs are always destined to make the playoffs and somehow always fall short. They pulled a swap to increase offense with James van Riemsdyk, hoping that'll solve an issue. The Senators and Canadiens are still in the "rebuilding" modes in my mind. Even thought making the playoffs last season, Ottawa was nowhere near ready to win a Cup. The Canadiens are hoping for a better season after being 13th in the conference last season.

Who will win the division? Boston Bruins. The Bruins are still the best in the division. They will not have Tim Thomas but Tukka Rask in net this season, yet to be seen if that's better or worse. However, they still have Zdeno Chara leading the defense and a strong set of offensive talent only helped by the return of Nathan Horton. I expect the Bruins to edge the Sabres by a few points for the division. 

Atlantic Division: The Atlantic Division will once again be the toughest in hockey as all the teams are ready for a new year. The Penguins will look to answer after an early exit in last year's playoffs. They keep the same potent offense but the questions lie on defense and goaltending as Marc Andre Fleury had a rough go of it last spring. The Rangers return with another weapon in Rick Nash and possibly the best defense/goaltender tandem in the league. The Flyers will look to have better goaltending this season from "The Universe" why suring up their defense with Luke Schenn. The Devils don't look as good on paper as last season without Captain Zach Parise, but always find a way to make it into the show. Will they again? The Islanders are talented on paper and should prove to be a closer to the playoff team this season.

Who will win the division? New York Rangers. The Rangers took the division last season after seeing Pittsburgh catch them in the last few weeks of the season as the offense struggled. That eventually led to their defeat in the Eastern Conference Finals where they didn't see much of the red light. Rick Nash will help the cause and push the Rangers to the best team in the Atlantic again this year....even with Sidney Crosby in the lineup for the full season.

Southeast Division: The Southeast Division will be closer this year than in the past few years as multiple teams fight for the crown. The Capitals, who let down last year in the regular season before making a short run in the playoffs, added Mike Ribiero as a playmaker to help the offense. Their question is rookie netminder Braden Holtby. The Lightning have a nice defense after adding Sami Salo and Matt Carle this summer, plus come in with Anders Lindback, who I see as a starter in the NHL long-term. Steven Stamkos defends his Rocket Richard Trophy as well down in Tampa. The Hurricanes are now a threat after adding Jordan Staal and Alex Semin this summer. This offense is quite good. The Jets will be iffy this season as they had their strong moments last year and fizzled. I don't expect a playoff run from them. Then the division winning Florida Panthers come into play. The first line which did most of the work for the Panthers, returns with the same crew. They have good goaltending but no more Jason Garrison.

Who will win the division? Tampa Bay Lightning. I don't think many will agree with me on this one but I have a feeling the Lightning will be very good. Their offense is very good as usual. Last year they scored but always gave up goals leading to defeats. They have a pretty new defense with Matt Carle and Sami Salo. Hedman is getting better and I like the kid Brian Lee who they got from Toronto at the trade deadline last season. Anders Lindback is a copy of Pekka Rinne in terms of size and movement. The question is whether he can stop pucks over the course of 60 games a season. I think he can. We shall see.

There you have it. The divison winners for both conferences in no particular order are:

Vancouver Canucks

St. Louis Blues

Los Angeles Kings

Boston Bruins

New York Rangers

Tampa Bay Lightning

Conference Predictions to be posted after the weekend!