It's getting to be that time kids. This guys has had it up to here (hand reaches as high up as I can get it) with these assholes and their posturing. As most of you most likely know, talks were going nowhere and fast. The league brought in mediators to try and do something that could be considered a step in the right direction...worked just as well as it did last time. Talks broke down, no new meetings scheduled...blah blah blah. Then Commish had a lightbulb go off in his head and suggested that himself and the used tampon known as Donald Fehr sit out the next round of negotiations. I personally didn't know how that would turn out but the talks seemed to be going extremely well for the last couple days. I even caught myself being....hopeful. Bettman was confirmed to have said that he wanted a deal in place by tomorrow, coaches were contacting their players abroad and telling them to start making arrangements to make it back to the states. Everything seemed to be going right
Then the atomic bomb was dropped on the negotiations. Donald Fehr was insisting that he be allowed in to the bargaining today. Seriously, if People Magazine had a Douche Bag of the Year Award, this guy would win this year by a landslide. It took him half a day and he drove away all of the owners and tabled a deal that the owners deemed "unacceptable and no need to stick around tonight or Friday." I got it, you're there to get the players the best deal possible dude, but think about what you're doing. The owners hate this guy, the fans hate this guy, I bet by now the players and possibly his wife hate this guy. Fehr needs to understand one very important, very simple fact. He might be haggling with money that won't be there if and when the league finally starts back up again. I can't imagine that many of the sponsors want to stick around a league that is going to end up in a dick measuring contest every 7 or 8 years, not very good for business.
But the biggest thing that's gonna come back and give all these assholes a swift and stiff kick in the nuts is the fans. Yes, us, the fans. Let's start with me for example, I've been watching the Flyers now for almost 20 years. I have a sheet metal Flyers logo hanging up in my man cave, banners from the Bill Barber and Bobby Clarke nights given out a couple years ago, posters of Lavi and his angry pointer finger and of Groo just looking like a bad ass, a calendar from last season and tons of fan gear, including a customized pair of Nike shoes all orange and black with "Flyers" written on the tongue. Not to mention I played hockey for most of my adolescence, and loved every minute of it. And now I've come to terms with the fact that the sport I love has been hijacked with greedy egomaniacs who just see the game as $$$. The league arrogantly claims that the fans will return just like they did last time, don't count on it fellas. If you can drive a fan like myself away, it's certainly possible to drive other less hardcore fans away.
A buddy of mine is a huge Wild fan, whenever I see him in civilian clothes...he's always wearing that damn Wild sweater. I was talking to him the other day about how well the negotiations were going and his response echoed so many other fans who have simply given up and are sick of the bullshit, "Whatever, I've lost faith in these faggots to reach an agreement to save the year." Disregard the faggots part, not meant to be hurtful towards our gay readers. But anyways, he like so many of us, has just simply had enough. And I'm sure anyone in the Flyers universe has seen Eric before. Orange and Black Mohawk, Flyers tattoos on both sides of his head, and always wearing a Flyers jersey. I'm almost positive you've all seen him before. Anyway, I asked him for his take on what happened tonight and in one word I got "PATHETIC". When asked if he would watch again when it finally was back he replied "yea I'll watch but I'm considering cancelling my season tickets." That has to hit home not only to us but to the NHL and PA. If they can drive a fan like Eric to the point to where he doesn't want to pay to see them anymore, they have a serious problem.
I'm not saying that I'll never watch again, or that I'm not secretly hoping that the owners and players wake up tomorrow and think "shit, I just wanna get back to hockey...lets get something done." But I will certainly never be the fan that I once was, I used to scrape together any money I could get just to get some shitty seats up in the nose bleeds and pay 8 dollars a beer just so I could get the pleasure of seeing some of the best players in the world. Now I wouldn't pay a cent to them, I probably won't even pay for NHL Center Ice so I can watch them out here in Kansas. Feel free to share your feelings on the matter, I'm sure most of you are feeling the same way I am.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
So About that Season...
Yea ok so the title sucks...sue me.
Obviously I haven't been on in quite some time, work sucks up all my time. And Borderlands 2, Battlefield 3 and alcohol suck up the rest of my time. But I've been following this lockout with some attentiveness, naturally, and I need to vent 'cause this is getting ridiculous.
When the NHLPA brought in Donald Fehr last year I knew that it would eventually come to this, Fehr is the poster child for lockouts and arguing with owners on the players behalf. When they brought him in, I figured things would probably get a little nasty between the two. But seriously guys, knock the shit off...I'm sick and tired of hearing who's fault it is and all that garbage.
Seeing the shift of hate go from mostly on the owners to the NHLPA has been quite a spectacle. In the beginning, everyone was on board on the hate train for the owners. We all saw them as greedy fucks who wanted to bleed the players of every dime they possibly could, and would do anything to get it; including locking the players out and depriving us of the sport we all love. Which we all know is horse shit, the league grossed over $3 billion last season (which, I might add, is an all time record for the league). The owners have raked in a ton of money off of us over the last few years, yet they act like they are on welfare and need every penny just to stay afloat. Then there was that giant used tampon of a commissioner Bettman who basically said "fuck the fans, we can lock out the players all season if we want....they'll be back when the doors open again." When I heard that I wanted to find out where the prick lives and burn his house down with him inside. What a dick slap right to our faces, that's one of the most heartless and arrogant things I've ever heard. I know it's been established that it's not all Bettman's fault, but having 3 lockouts under your belt in 20 years....fuck face needs to go!
Now for the NHLPA.
I was in lock step behind them in the beginning, especially after the first offer that the owners threw towards the players. It was absolutely ridiculous and nobody in their right mind thought that the NHLPA would accept. But since then, all I've heard is both sides not moving a muscle and refusing to give an inch. More recently, the NHLPA has just straight up pointed the finger owners and said "they're mean, and we're not gonna play with them until they apologize." Look guys, I don't wanna hear that the owners aren't playing nice. And I certainly don't wanna hear players crying and bitching about what they're gonna do and how they're gonna provide for their families and all that shit. While some people will blindly support you just because you are heroes to the fans, let's be real here for a minute. The league minimum is $500 thousand, the national average income for a family of 4 as of last month....$50,054. Your MINIMUM salary that you could possibly be paid is literally 10x what the average American family of 4 is expected to bring in over the year. If you're so fiscally irresponsible that you don't have any money saved up from your six figure salary...I don't have much sympathy. I head to P.T. in the morning at 0530 and get home at 5 in the afternoon at the earliest, I make somewhere around $38 thousand a year. So you can take your bitching and moaning about how you won't be able to afford private school for your kids and that 3rd car and 2nd house and shove it right up your ass, cause this dude isn't impressed.
Now I'm just fed up with the whole thing. I just wanna see Groo undressing goalies left and right and Simmonds steamrolling people and taking pucks to the face like a fucking boss again. Split HRR 50/50 just like we know you'll eventually get to, and unlock the fucking doors so we can enjoy our favorite sport. Stop acting like a bunch of pussies, stop insulting our intelligence, and for the love of christ...stop having these 2 hour meetings and then just not talk for weeks. This is how children settle matters, do you think we could maybe act like adults? We'll see what happens, rumors are roaming about the NHLPA writing up a new proposal...I'm not getting my hopes up but at this point, I'll take any step in any direction
Obviously I haven't been on in quite some time, work sucks up all my time. And Borderlands 2, Battlefield 3 and alcohol suck up the rest of my time. But I've been following this lockout with some attentiveness, naturally, and I need to vent 'cause this is getting ridiculous.
When the NHLPA brought in Donald Fehr last year I knew that it would eventually come to this, Fehr is the poster child for lockouts and arguing with owners on the players behalf. When they brought him in, I figured things would probably get a little nasty between the two. But seriously guys, knock the shit off...I'm sick and tired of hearing who's fault it is and all that garbage.
Seeing the shift of hate go from mostly on the owners to the NHLPA has been quite a spectacle. In the beginning, everyone was on board on the hate train for the owners. We all saw them as greedy fucks who wanted to bleed the players of every dime they possibly could, and would do anything to get it; including locking the players out and depriving us of the sport we all love. Which we all know is horse shit, the league grossed over $3 billion last season (which, I might add, is an all time record for the league). The owners have raked in a ton of money off of us over the last few years, yet they act like they are on welfare and need every penny just to stay afloat. Then there was that giant used tampon of a commissioner Bettman who basically said "fuck the fans, we can lock out the players all season if we want....they'll be back when the doors open again." When I heard that I wanted to find out where the prick lives and burn his house down with him inside. What a dick slap right to our faces, that's one of the most heartless and arrogant things I've ever heard. I know it's been established that it's not all Bettman's fault, but having 3 lockouts under your belt in 20 years....fuck face needs to go!
Now for the NHLPA.
I was in lock step behind them in the beginning, especially after the first offer that the owners threw towards the players. It was absolutely ridiculous and nobody in their right mind thought that the NHLPA would accept. But since then, all I've heard is both sides not moving a muscle and refusing to give an inch. More recently, the NHLPA has just straight up pointed the finger owners and said "they're mean, and we're not gonna play with them until they apologize." Look guys, I don't wanna hear that the owners aren't playing nice. And I certainly don't wanna hear players crying and bitching about what they're gonna do and how they're gonna provide for their families and all that shit. While some people will blindly support you just because you are heroes to the fans, let's be real here for a minute. The league minimum is $500 thousand, the national average income for a family of 4 as of last month....$50,054. Your MINIMUM salary that you could possibly be paid is literally 10x what the average American family of 4 is expected to bring in over the year. If you're so fiscally irresponsible that you don't have any money saved up from your six figure salary...I don't have much sympathy. I head to P.T. in the morning at 0530 and get home at 5 in the afternoon at the earliest, I make somewhere around $38 thousand a year. So you can take your bitching and moaning about how you won't be able to afford private school for your kids and that 3rd car and 2nd house and shove it right up your ass, cause this dude isn't impressed.
Now I'm just fed up with the whole thing. I just wanna see Groo undressing goalies left and right and Simmonds steamrolling people and taking pucks to the face like a fucking boss again. Split HRR 50/50 just like we know you'll eventually get to, and unlock the fucking doors so we can enjoy our favorite sport. Stop acting like a bunch of pussies, stop insulting our intelligence, and for the love of christ...stop having these 2 hour meetings and then just not talk for weeks. This is how children settle matters, do you think we could maybe act like adults? We'll see what happens, rumors are roaming about the NHLPA writing up a new proposal...I'm not getting my hopes up but at this point, I'll take any step in any direction
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Knock Knocks
Let me first start out by saying.....what's up? I'm aware that it's been roughly a year since I wrote anything, going from civy to soldier sucks up a lot of time. Now I'm all settled in at my duty station I got a little more free time. Alright that's enough of that, let's get on with it....
Was it just me or was that the weirdest series any of you have ever seen? Unless I'm mistaken I think there was 56 goals scored in that series. 56 goals in 6 games is absolutely ridiculous. I admit I was happy when it was us scoring 8 goals in games 2 and 3 but still....that many goals in a playoff game is just insane. Goaltending was terrible for both teams this whole series, especially the first 3 games. I know we won 8-4 and 8-5 but if Fleury is on his game for 2 and 3 we probably don't win. You can't let in 5 goals in a playoff game and expect to win very often. All this season Bryz has been a point of concern for me. He is a good goalie, don't get me wrong; and I was certainly was not one of the ones bashing him in the middle of the season because he was in a slump. But this guy needs to get his rebounds under control, big time. This is the big show, playoff hockey is won in the corners and by the gritty guys right in front of the net that are gonna pound away until it goes it. If he can just keep those shots in his glove or angle his pads so the rebound goes into the corners he will be able to steal some for us.
On to our rookies...
Coots totally made Malkin his bitch this series. When a 19 year old can make the league's top scoring forward in the regular series look like a non-issue that says something. He was passed up by a few teams cause he had mono, boy was that a mistake. This kid is gritty, smart, fast and can shoot the puck when he gets the chance. He's a perfect fit for this team and I personally love his attitude. Read has been a steady penalty killer and all around hard worker for us. He's faster than a gazelle on coke and he's got a good head on his shoulders, another good pick up by Homer. Schenn is probably my favorite rookie. He yapps at the opponent constantly, he digs in the corners, he can hit like a freight train and he works his ass off every shift. Not to mention he was the highest ranked Canadian Jr. last year before he was drafted. I love this kid, he's got talent and he's got the attitude that has been become associated with Flyer hockey.
How about the performance from our top line? Groo sets records for points in a series and in a single playoff game. Jags and Hartnell have also been dominant pretty much all season, when they were all healthy anyway. But Groo man...holy shit is this guy scary good or what? He's got amazing hockey sense, great vision, soft hands, a wicked shot (when he doesn't pass) and the best attitude you could have for a leader. He brings energy and confidence to the team. Idk about any of you but when I see him on the ice I almost expect him to make an amazing play, that's just in his character.
Finally, to the flightless birds. This team showed it's true colors this series. Malkin, Neal, Cindy, Asham and Adams all showed that they are fine with playing filthy. There are even penguin fans that are disgraced to be associated with their own team, who woulda thought right? I definitely saw a switch of attitudes towards both teams. Before this series everyone was gargling the penguins nuts but after that disgraceful showing in game 3 everyone was calling them cheap, dirty, crybabies that whine and bitch like pregnant women. Never would I think I would see Milbury and Roenick publicly bash the whole organization but they did. They have a lot of soul searching to do in the offseason, which starts today : ) cya next year homos.
All in all I think that was an insane series. As long as our D and Bryz can keep it together, we have a legit chance at beating whatever teams are left after the first round. We have the talent and the heart to hoist up Lord Stanley in June, just have to keep our focus. Good hard fought series by both teams, best of luck to the pens players as they descend on the golf courses next week (snow storm heading into Shitsburgh today so no golf for a while). And for our boys, take a couple days to savor yet another victory in the Pennsylvania Civil War, but keep your focus and come out swinging against whoever we end up playing next series.
Good night and good hockey Flyers Phaithful
Was it just me or was that the weirdest series any of you have ever seen? Unless I'm mistaken I think there was 56 goals scored in that series. 56 goals in 6 games is absolutely ridiculous. I admit I was happy when it was us scoring 8 goals in games 2 and 3 but still....that many goals in a playoff game is just insane. Goaltending was terrible for both teams this whole series, especially the first 3 games. I know we won 8-4 and 8-5 but if Fleury is on his game for 2 and 3 we probably don't win. You can't let in 5 goals in a playoff game and expect to win very often. All this season Bryz has been a point of concern for me. He is a good goalie, don't get me wrong; and I was certainly was not one of the ones bashing him in the middle of the season because he was in a slump. But this guy needs to get his rebounds under control, big time. This is the big show, playoff hockey is won in the corners and by the gritty guys right in front of the net that are gonna pound away until it goes it. If he can just keep those shots in his glove or angle his pads so the rebound goes into the corners he will be able to steal some for us.
On to our rookies...
Coots totally made Malkin his bitch this series. When a 19 year old can make the league's top scoring forward in the regular series look like a non-issue that says something. He was passed up by a few teams cause he had mono, boy was that a mistake. This kid is gritty, smart, fast and can shoot the puck when he gets the chance. He's a perfect fit for this team and I personally love his attitude. Read has been a steady penalty killer and all around hard worker for us. He's faster than a gazelle on coke and he's got a good head on his shoulders, another good pick up by Homer. Schenn is probably my favorite rookie. He yapps at the opponent constantly, he digs in the corners, he can hit like a freight train and he works his ass off every shift. Not to mention he was the highest ranked Canadian Jr. last year before he was drafted. I love this kid, he's got talent and he's got the attitude that has been become associated with Flyer hockey.
How about the performance from our top line? Groo sets records for points in a series and in a single playoff game. Jags and Hartnell have also been dominant pretty much all season, when they were all healthy anyway. But Groo man...holy shit is this guy scary good or what? He's got amazing hockey sense, great vision, soft hands, a wicked shot (when he doesn't pass) and the best attitude you could have for a leader. He brings energy and confidence to the team. Idk about any of you but when I see him on the ice I almost expect him to make an amazing play, that's just in his character.
Finally, to the flightless birds. This team showed it's true colors this series. Malkin, Neal, Cindy, Asham and Adams all showed that they are fine with playing filthy. There are even penguin fans that are disgraced to be associated with their own team, who woulda thought right? I definitely saw a switch of attitudes towards both teams. Before this series everyone was gargling the penguins nuts but after that disgraceful showing in game 3 everyone was calling them cheap, dirty, crybabies that whine and bitch like pregnant women. Never would I think I would see Milbury and Roenick publicly bash the whole organization but they did. They have a lot of soul searching to do in the offseason, which starts today : ) cya next year homos.
All in all I think that was an insane series. As long as our D and Bryz can keep it together, we have a legit chance at beating whatever teams are left after the first round. We have the talent and the heart to hoist up Lord Stanley in June, just have to keep our focus. Good hard fought series by both teams, best of luck to the pens players as they descend on the golf courses next week (snow storm heading into Shitsburgh today so no golf for a while). And for our boys, take a couple days to savor yet another victory in the Pennsylvania Civil War, but keep your focus and come out swinging against whoever we end up playing next series.
Good night and good hockey Flyers Phaithful
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