My Thoughts on Replacement Players
After the NHL meeting that lasted five hours with the board of governors, the possibility of replacement still remains according to TSN.ca
And replacement players are an unspoken option.
“I think that we can move forward and plan to play a season however it happens this coming year,” Edmonton Oilers chair Cal Nichols said. “I think that in itself is what our fans want to see, so we’ll just see how it works out in the summer. I think everybody still has a preference to work with the union and try to negotiate something and hopefully that’s where it takes us.”
Plan A is to negotiate a deal with the NHLPA in time to save the NHL entry draft and conduct a normal off-season in order to re-launch the game and try to win back fans.
Plan B, at least in its early stages, could definitely see the use of replacement players if it’s clear a deal can’t be done.
I’ve heard some people’s opinions about replacement players and not minding that. I, personally, do not want replacement players. I try to attend as many Red Wings games as I can during the season (although it’s pretty hard to get tickets to any games). Red Wings games are expensive. The cheapest I ever paid for tickets (upper level waay back up there) was $50. I refuse to pay that much money to watch lower-league level players play when I used to be able to watch them from anywhere to $12-30 a seat for some of the best seats in the arena. Now if they were to drop tickets, I would probably attend because I enjoy watching the sport - it just wouldn’t be the same and I really doubt that any agreement, salary cap-wise, will result in cheaper prices for the Wings.
Red Wings player Brendan Shanahan made comments encouraging the participation of minor league replacement players in the NHL.
“I think it’s a two-way street and if we can go down and play in some of their leagues then they can certainly come up and be replacement players in the NHL. I don’t think [replacement players] is a successful proposition. I think that will just ruin the situation even more.
But you know what I would say to a young guy who’s playing in the East Coast or United Hockey League who has an invitation to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs? Go for it. Good luck.
I wouldn’t blame a guy being a career minor leaguer getting an opportunity playing in the big leagues, I would be a little resentful towards an NHL player that went across the lines.”
I understand what Shanahan is saying and even respect him for saying those comments. I just feel that the NHL won’t be the NHL with replacement players. They have a hard time marketing the NHL with star athletes who have been around awhile much less a guy who’s playing in the NHL because the other players are locked out. It would feel like every player I know retired. They were there one season and just gone the next season. I don’t know - I just hope they can sort a deal out and the NHL doesn’t resort to replacement players.
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4 Responses to “My Thoughts on Replacement Players”
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March 3rd, 2005 at 4:15 pm
Though I support Shanny on the general intent of his comments, I think he may come off as condisending and elitist towards the minor league players… especially with the “this might be their only chance to play in the NHL”
Somebody needs to tell Shanny that playing pro hockey is a privalege is not a right. Realistically, Shanny is a lock to be on the starting squad, but he needs to be mindful of the players in the Wings system as peers to the same job.
March 3rd, 2005 at 6:57 pm
I didn’t even think of that side of the statement, but I definately see that side now. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
And Shanny can run his mouth when he really isn’t in the right place to say it, you know?
March 5th, 2005 at 9:37 am
I say good for Shanahan, his comments were good. If ther is no agreement next year the NHL will put replacement players in and you’ll see all NHL players who either have a year or 2 left on their career or making below the old average can cross the line cuiase they need the money.
I wouldn’t blame them cause the union is pulling the wool over their eye’s.
March 6th, 2005 at 9:32 pm
Hey Yoda-
Thanks for visiting my blog and then linking it from your’s! I just hope we don’t have to resort to replacement players…I do have a hard time seeing players like Chelios and Yzerman playing if there are replacements just because they’re at the end of their career ropes. But Stevie Y does deserve to come back one more year and get the proper sendoff…