NHL Roulette

It seems as if the NHL and NHLPA are playing a game of NHL Roulette. Like the real version of roulette where a gambler spins and hopes to land a pay day after the ball goes round and round, the powers to be within these organizations are gambling that their side will win.

The problem with this way of thinking is that it’s gambling and they are taking a chance of losing much more than some games. They risk losing their fan base and the revenue that will be lost when the American fan bolts for the NBA.

Instead of a ball spinning, it seems as if the heads of Donald Fehr and Gary Bettman are spinning out of control. Maybe it’s the owners and players themselves who are spinning the heads of Bettman and Fehr. Something is definitely wrong with this situation.

It doesn’t make sense to risk losing half a season or possibly an entire season. As I’ve said in previous articles, it’s bad for business and a good businessman wouldn’t do that. At this point, I don’t care if it isn’t really Batman or Fehr calling the shots. I want them to get a deal done.

I might puke if I see any more photos of these 2 men. They don’t look like they care. In fact they look sinister and dishonest. I think that whoever runs the public relations departments within the NHL and NHLPA are not doing a good job.

I think that the NHL is banking on the fact that the fans will forgive them and return to the rink. The problem with that logic is that they are gambling. They are not looking at historical evidence. While fans took to the rink and television sets in record numbers in 2012/12, Bettman only has to look at the last lockout to realize that it took years to repair the damage done in that lockout.

I don’t think that the NHL has that luxury this time around. I also think that taking the Canadian fan for granted is also wrong. While the fan base in Canada is much more loyal than their American counterparts, fans are losing patience with this lockout.

Ticket prices are through the roof and in Canada, there are other hockey options. Junior hockey is top notch up north and it’s a lot cheaper. I’m not saying Canadian fans will bolt all togetjer but some damage will be done by this lockout.

I think it’s terrible for the NHL to be treating their loyal customers in this fashion. I don’t know of any other business that elects to spit in the faces of their customers. That’s what I think the NHL is doing to their customers and it’s horrible and disgusting.

I don’t even know why I’m writing about this garbage. It annoys and disgusts me. Maybe I just want to vent and let it all out.  Maybe I should just forget about the NHL until it returns. Hopefully it returns for the 2013/14 season.

Video source: NHL.com