The Sounds Of Silence – Back To The Drawing Board

Well the on again-off again relationship between the NHL and NHLPA is apparently off again.  After showing so much promise a week ago, there are no talks scheduled and the two sides seem to be back to square 1.

Former player Mark Recchi (only 1.5 years retired) publicly urged the NHLPA to accept the league’s offer, because it isn’t likely to get any better.  It is now reaching a point where the money they will lose for this season will outweigh the gains that holding out longer for a better deal would possibly bring.  Add to that the damage the unrest is doing to the game, and Recchi might be right.

June 15, 2011; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; Boston Bruins forward Mark Recchi (28) after defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 in game seven of the 2011 Stanley Cup finals at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-US PRESSWIRE

And that is what the NHL is counting on.  They have their share of the blame to shoulder, but it looks like, at least in the eye of public opinion, they have the upper hand.

However, don’t count the Don Fehr-led NHLPA.  This isn’t his first rodeo and the players seem solidified, even to the point where the lockout would do them more harm than good.

I thought they were past the point where egos were more important than getting a deal done.

I guess I was wrong.