NHL Lockout

NHL Lockout
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For the 2nd time in 8 years there is an NHL Lockout. It is also the 4th time in 20 years there is a labor dispute. The last lockout lasted an entire season. That doesn't give many people much hope that this lockout will be any different. The 1992 strike lasted 10 days during the middle of the season. The 1994-95 lockout lasted a little more than 3 months and cut the season from 84 games to 48. History isn't in the NHL's favor. The NHL is not the only league that has had labor issues in recent years. The NFL had a lockout last year but didn't miss any regular season games.  The NBA had a shortened 2011 - 12 season due to a lockout. Let's not forget the NFL Referees that are currently in a lockout. Recently the MLB, however, has not trouble getting a deal done.

The big issue looks like the revenue split. The players got 57% of the Hockey Related Revenue in the last agreement. The league's 1st offer had that percentage decreased by 14% to 43%. They have since moved that offer up to 49% in year one, then 47% for each of the final four years. 

If the NHL Lockout ends up going into the regular season, like the NBA Lockout, the best time resume the season would be on New Year's with the Winter Classic. It would be great timing, like the NBA coming back on Christmas last year. It is one of the league's main days and would  pump up the fans. Since it will be played in Michigan with two Original Six teams will face off.  Toronto will face Detroit. That will make it even better because both teams have loyal fan bases that will be excited for the game. With that said,the owners and the players should resolve the differences quick and try to start play as soon as possible.

Evgeni Malkin with Metallurg
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Players are already making plans to play overseas. The 2011-12 Hart Trophy (MVP) Winner Evgeni Malkin has already agreed to play with his former team in Russia, the Metallurg Magnitogorsk.  They play in the Kontiental Hockey League (KHL). Joining him on team are former Penguins' teammate defenseman Sergei Gonchar and forward Nikolai Kulemin. Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk is joining AK Bars Kazan, also of the KHL. Ilya Kovalchuk will sign with the KHL's SKA (Saint Peterburg) soon. KHL's HC Dombass of Ukraine signed forwards Ruslan Fedotenko and Alexei Ponikarovski. The KHL is a top hockey league in Europe, with most of it's team's in Russia, but the countries of Belarus, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Slovakia, and Ukraine have 1 team in the league.  During the lockout, each team in the KHL is allowed to have a maximum of 3 players that are currently signed with NHL teams. Jaromir Jagr will play for the team he owns in Czech Extraliga, HC Klado. Forward Tomas Plekanec will join Jagr in Czech Republic. This is just the start of what is expected to be many players from the NHL moving to play this year in Europe.

If I am the NHL, I would be the most worried about losing fans and their support. The 2012 - 13 season is planned to start October 11th. This probably won't happen based on how little the sides are talking. The NHL had a great postseason last year, that definitely got the league more fans. Those new fans aren't going to wait around for the lockout to end. They may go back to watching what they did before coming to hockey. Then, there are the die-hard fans and they don't deserve this. They stayed loyal to the NHL through the 2004-05 lockout. These fans are being shoved out of the way because of money issues. If there are no fans, there will be no money.

The NFL Lockout is Over: What are the Top 3 Things to Look Out For

Today is great day in sports. The NFL Lockout is over. Football is back. You will remember where you were when you heard the NFL Lockout was over. It is that kind of day. Now that the lockout is over we don't have to worry about not having a season. However it is going to be a crazy couple of weeks. With so much to do and so much to figure out, surprises will happen left and right. Looking ahead, here are my 3 things to look out for in the next couple weeks.


3. Players Being Cut To Fit The Cap

Reggie Bush's Contract Means He Will Probably Be Cut By The Saints

Due to the new cap of 120 million many players with large contracts will need to be renegotiated so teams can be under the cap. If they can not reach a deal, the player will have to be released. One of the players that will most likely be released is Reggie Bush. Bush's $11,000,000 contract is way too much with the new salary cap and for his lack of production during his career. The future of Bush and others are in question thanks to the new salary cap.

2. How will the Rookies Fair?

12th Pick Christian Ponder Is The
Player Most Efferted By The Lockout

Since players have not been able to talk with their head coaches, work out with team trainers, and get advise from position coaches. Most don't even have play books. Who does this effect the most...Rookies. They need to learn the new play book, master plays, meet and befriend new teammates and coaches, earn their coaches trust, learn how to handle the media, and much, much more. They also need to structure their contracts, which will give them sustancially less money then last years draft picks due to the new CBA. The rookie under the most pressure is the 12th pick in the 2011 Draft, quarterback Christian Ponder. Ponder, who went to the Minnesota Vikings, is epected to be their starter if they cannot sign another quarterback. If they cannot get another QB, Ponder will be under a lot of pressure.


1. The Courting of Nnamdi Asomugha 

Nnamdi Asomagha won't be wearing Raiders Black and Silver,
Soon we will find out his new colors.

Nnamdi Asomugha is not only the beat free agent available but is the best defensive back in the league. We know he will not return to Oakland which means he will be a free agent. His numbers do not back it up, but there is a reason for that. No quarterback dares to throw his way. If a QB does, it will not end good. Asomugha is the ultimate shutdown cornerback. All 32 teams want Nnamdi. Since he is one of the smartest players in the league (He is a grad of Cal Berkley) he will easily fit into a new system. However not all of them can afford the money he will get. Top contenders to get him are the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Jets. However a team I think that has a good possibility of getting Asomugha are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have a lot of cap room and since Aqib Talib is having legal issues and Ronde Barber not getting any younger, the Bucs look like a good spot he said that.