Pirate's Cove

So, the NHL and the Players Union have finally settled their spat, which, in essence, endangered the viability of the sport, and has royally pissed of the sports fans, me being one of them. It is hard to know whether all the players stood forsquare with the NHLPA, as most kept their mouths shut, unlike a few, who happened to be the players making the most money. And what can one say about the deal?

"I think the deal is not great for the players. It is definitely an owner-friendly deal. For the last 10 years, the players have made a lot of money and now we are in a position where everybody is going to make money," he (Jeremy Roenick) said. "Unfortunately, it had to take a whole year to get to a point where we could have been last year."

Umm, Jeremy? You are one of the problem players, who worked hard to stall and defeat any and (almost) all proposals. But, the deal still has to be ratified. Let’s say it will. What will the NHL do for me? Yes, me. Does that sound selfish? Damn right, it does. I have been a hockey fan since, well, always. I rooted for the local teams, the Flyers and Rangers, originally, and then made my full allegiance to the New Jersey Devils when they moved from Colorado. I have been a die hard fan through the good and the bad. But do not expect me to just go "game on" and come back like nothing has happened. I expect something in return. I expect some concessions. I expect so ticket price reductions. I expect to be woo’ed and courted. And, if hockey sticks with the plans as announced by TSN, won’t cut it for me.

According to the report, most teams look like there will barely be any changes, if any at all. Pass! The Devil’s have made no statement at the time, look for a plan to be forthcoming once the CBA is signed and delivered. Lou Lamiorello wants certainties. As for the Hurricanes?

Carolina: Season-ticket holders, who got a reduction of 20 per cent if they paid in full by last April, are getting another 10 per cent reduction. A further decrease of 15 per cent will be applied for 2006-2007 renewals, and another 20 per cent will be lopped off for 2007-2008 renewals.

"Returning season-ticket holders will see significant reductions in price as a result of their loyalty to the team," said a club statement.

General game-day prices in specific seating areas will be lowered but "with some of the lowest gate prices in the NHL already, there probably will not be across-the-board reductions in general gate prices," said a club spokesman.

Unfortunately for the ‘Canes, alot of folks that I have spoken with, which was ALOT, aren’t planning on buying season tickets, and this plan is to far reaching. They want instant gratification, and, can you blame them? As they say down here, the ‘Canes better be doing something special to hook people up, otherwise it is going to be a long, low attendence season.

The fans make the game, and the teams better do all they can to bring us back.

Linked over to Basil’s Breakfast