Feb. 9, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Fencing indicates where the ice rink will be in Comerica Park for the Hockeytown Winter Festival which is part of the NHL 2013 Winter Classic game between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE
Well, they went and did it folks. Today the NHL offically cancelled the Winter Classic. People at my regular job were treated to an unusual explosion of profanity in half a dozen languages as I saw the news feed on my cell phone. Why did you do it NHL? Granted, I did say yesterday that the were going to cancel the Winter Classic in order to only get hit with the hundred thousand dollar down payment. I knew it was coming. Hell, most of us saw this going down.
Then they actually did it. Hey owners!(OK, let’s be fair.. hey you eight or nine owners who are dragging this out as long as possible so you will lose less money by NOT playing.) Congratulations, you’ve just about put the last nail in the coffin for the 2012-2013 season. We’re stunned. We’re also royally pissed. Even Don Fehr (NHLPA boss) expressed his shock and dismay.
“The NHL’s decision to cancel the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic is unnecessary and unfortunate, as was the owners’ implementation of the lockout itself. The fact that the season has not started is a result of a unilateral decision by the owners; the players have always been ready to play while continuing to negotiate in good faith. We look forward to the league’s return to the bargaining table, so that the parties can find a way to end the lockout at the earliest possible date, and get the game back on the ice for the fans.”
In an odd development, the NHL is discussing two things. First, a major concession is in the works on the side of the owners. Second, talks will begin again on Monday. The last time the NHL played this card, it wasn’t the PR coup they were expecting. It just turned the whole labor discussion into a mud slinging match. Both sides ended up getting dirty, and the fan base only got more angry and disillusioned. I’ve become one of those people I used to rip into every basketball, football, and baseball season. There is a part of me that loathes the hypocrite I’ve become, and the rest of that anger is saved for the two parties that turned me into that person.
A healthy suggestion to both parties: Please do what you can to save what is left of the season.