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Post by Ric O. on Jan 6, 2012 18:44:19 GMT -6
NEW YORK (AP) - The NHL said Friday that it won't go forward with its realignment plan and modified playoff format next season after the players' association refused to agree to the changes. The changes were recently approved by the NHL's board of governors. The league said it will maintain its current alignment and playoff format next season. "It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a plan that an overwhelming majority of our clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including players,'' NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. "We have now spent the better part of four weeks attempting to satisfy the NHLPA's purported concerns with the plan with no success. Because we have already been forced to delay and, as a result, are already late in beginning the process of preparing next season's schedule, we have no choice but to abandon our intention to implement the realignment plan and modified playoff format for next season. "We believe the union acted unreasonably in violation of the league's rights. We intend to evaluate all of our available legal options and to pursue adequate remedies, as appropriate.'' sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/hockey/nhl/wires/01/06/2040.ap.hkn.realignment.delayed.3rd.ld.writethru.0266/
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Post by Lions67 on Jan 6, 2012 18:45:16 GMT -6
i was just gonna post that! does this mean we are stuck in the S.E. for next year??.......that SUCKS!
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Post by Ric O. on Jan 6, 2012 18:46:33 GMT -6
i was just gonna post that! does this mean we are stuck in the S.E. for next year??.......that SUCKS! Sure looks that way. Wow, if the NHLPA voted realignment down, what does this say about how the next collective bargaining is going to go?
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Post by the_jaf on Jan 6, 2012 18:48:05 GMT -6
Just beat me to it. Looks like Jets in the East again next year. A good thing perhaps?
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Post by The Unknown Poster on Jan 6, 2012 18:48:45 GMT -6
1) There is no way they can keep the Jets in the SE next season.
2) this means one thing: lockout.
Who would have thought that the return of the NHL would actually mean at year without pro hockey in Winnipeg? But if the NHLPA wont work with the NHL on the schedule, they wont work with them on rolling back wages.
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Post by Lions67 on Jan 6, 2012 18:49:10 GMT -6
looks like, smells like.....LOCKOUT!
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Post by dmx101781 on Jan 6, 2012 18:49:29 GMT -6
This doesn't bode well for having hockey next year at all. I don't know what the union's objections were, but it seems on the surface that they said no because they could... Things are going to get ugly with the next CBA.
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Post by Ric O. on Jan 6, 2012 18:50:26 GMT -6
Yep I agree, NHLPA flexing their muscles in the face of an impending lockout.
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Post by phillymike on Jan 6, 2012 18:55:55 GMT -6
I'm sure NHLPA won't object to Quebec and Winnipeg swapping conferences. They are supposed to be looking out for the players best interest. WPG and QC travel schedules next year (if there is no switch) are NOT in the players best interest.
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Post by Guardian on Jan 6, 2012 18:56:24 GMT -6
I've seen this before in 2004.
Looks like another lockout is on the way.
Gives Quebec an extra season to build their new building.
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Post by dkehler on Jan 6, 2012 18:59:19 GMT -6
This is clearly a power play by the players union in anticipation of the coming negotiations. Something to hold back as a "concession" if you will.
As a fan, I wouldn't be heartbroken to see the Jets remain in the Southeast division, but I know the Jets organization doesn't want that and in fact, as some people have already mentioned, this may lead to a work stoppage/lockout.
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Post by Snoopy on Jan 6, 2012 19:15:28 GMT -6
yes good news
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Post by The Unknown Poster on Jan 6, 2012 19:18:43 GMT -6
I hope the NHL breaks the NHLPA into a million pieces.
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Post by Hannu Smail on Jan 6, 2012 19:18:46 GMT -6
I agree completely that this is an NHLPA power play in the face of a showdown. Would love to hear their reasons for blocking it (whatever they fabricate).
The league and players have far too much to lose for there to be a work stoppage. Having said that, I believe there will be one.
Another year in the SE is absolutely brutal given the inevitability of an eventual move to the West. Another year delayed in forming any meaningful rivalries.
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Post by Hannu Smail on Jan 6, 2012 19:21:34 GMT -6
I hope the NHL breaks the NHLPA into a million pieces. As do I. This isn't the NFL where owners are rolling in profits before a game is even played. Yes, the owners are responsible for ultimately approving failed experiments and everything that led to (no TV deal, failed markets, etc) under Bettman's watch. But there is no turning back the clock and things the NHLPA are sure to demand will do nothing but further damage the league. Also.... a work stoppage would surely be the death of more than one tenuous franchise. I guess that's a positive?
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