THE LOCK OUT ENDS - HOW DO YOU FEEL?

TENTATIVE DEAL REACHED...

So the lockout ended today with news that a tentative deal has been reached. A new 10 year CBA will be sent for ratification from both the players and the owners. A formality that expects to be completed quickly and games back on the ice by either the 15th (50 game sched) or the 19th (48 game sched) of January.

A FAN'S REACTION...

While I am happy to be able to watch the game I love again, I am still very bitter and frustrated with the lockout. Many questions were raised on my Twitter timeline this morning. one that I found interesting was by @oilonwhyte my former colleague over at oilonwhyte.com he writes...

Jeff Chapman ‏@OilOnWhyte

So how does the NHL "make whole" for the fans? What should they do / offer to show that you are valued?

and I responded with this...

Grant Pegden-Wright ‏@realoilfan

@OilOnWhyte i think they should fire bettman. That would make me believe they are truly sorry. #firebettman

I honestly believe that if the Commissioner's job is not in jeopardy after three labour disputes on his watch, then the Ownwers / Board of Governors are not paying attention or just don't care that much about the game. 

Fortunately the new CBA is supposedly a 10 year deal so, at least this won't happen again for at least 7-8 years, but if the NHL truly feels shame towards their fans, and want to make it up to us, then they need to fire Bettman today.

It may be un-realistic after a 100+ days of negotiations to ask that this happen right now, but it needs to happen!

The NHL is a gate driven league and alienating the fans with labor disputes, especially in struggling markets, is the worst possible scenario for those teams. I wonder how Phoenix will do this abbreviated season?

OILERS HOCKEY...

It will be interesting see ttraining camp start in the next few days. I will also be very interested to see if the Oilers use the rumored two buy-outs on players has been apparently agreed on with the new deal. I guees we will have to wait and see.

HOW DO YOU FEEL...

If I have any readers left from the boycott of promoting hockey by blogging that I have done the last several months, then please let me know how you feel about the lockout and subsequent return of hockey this year.

GO OILERS GO!

LOCKED OUT... I HOPE NOT

MY OPINION ON THE CBA...

I have not had much to say on the CBA negotiations that are currently in a stale-mate status. I just want it known that regardless of the issues on either side, the ones that suffer are the fans. I do not know the in-&outs of the negotiations, I am basing how I feel on listening to sports talk radio and reading the web just like most of you.

UPCOMING INTERVIEW WITH PATRICK LAFORGE

The Meet & Greet...


The Edmonton Oilers had a season Ticket Holder meet & greet with the players this past Sunday at Rexall Place. My wife & I attended so we could see what is up with the team moving forward and to get a few photos with some of our favorite players. 


I was shocked at the number of ticket holders that showed up. This town really supports their team! If I had to guess at the attendance numbers...I would say there was probably 5000-6000 people there. Most of them stayed for the Hot-stove portion of the event and open practice afterwards.


Some media types have implied that this is "an olive branch" by the team to garner renewal for season seats. I can't say that it is or isn't, but what I will say, is that this team didn't have to treat 5000-6000 people to free food, photos with the players and an inside look into what the plan is for the proposed new Arena. Anyone that is trying to spin this into something selfish or political is just looking to sell a paper in my mind. I did speak to someone at the event that is directly involved in managing season seats and they told me that they are doing better than projected with renewals at this point. 


The Arena Project and Upcoming Interview...

Patrick Laforge, President, COO, & 

Governor for The Edmonton Oilers

I saw Patrick Laforge on Sunday after the Hot-stove and mentioned to him that I would like to do a piece for this blog on the Arena project and where it's at. He graciously accepted, I interview him on Thursday Afternoon and I will have the interview posted on this site a day or two later. 


I am not from Edmonton originally, and one of the things that I dis-like about this city is the lack of a vibrant down-town. I have tried to support this project in what small way I can by posting the surveys here on my site, I have written City Council to let them know that I will not vote for a Councilor that does not support this project too. I think this is going to be a turning point for this city. 


I come from other larger Canadian cities where Down-town is the place to be. When in Toronto & Vancouver you go down-town to enjoy the Arts, Entertainment districts and not into the suburbs. With Edmonton having a place to go and enjoy life Down-town, not only will all the other business that exist there already benefit, but it will also become a destination for travelers to come and see how we have made this city better.


I will ask Patrick some questions that I feel are important from three perspectives. 


1) As a season seat holder of the Edmonton Oilers.
2) As a citizen of Edmonton that may not care about hockey.
3) As a Tax Payer.


if any of you have a question you would like to ask Mr. Laforge, please comment here and I will do my best to get you an answer.


GO Oilers GO!