Hockey's Back

In case you didn't notice (and judging by their previous TV ratings, you didn't), hockey is back. I'll pause as the 12 guys in the bar in Yellowknife slam a Molson in excitement.

Yes the sport that brought you toothless men, the coolest trophy around and guys who think "eh" is actually a word will drop the puck in October in front of dozens of people in arenas around North America.

The sport missed last season due to a lockout as billionaire owners, who seemingly forgot how they became billionaires (guys, if you spend more than you take in that means you LOSE money...) finally realized they needed to be saved from themselves. But boy were they in for a lesson. The owners were up against a union that was stuck in its principal. "When it comes to a salary cap, we will not waiver" they screamed to the media. The players were prepared to fight it out and show those good for nothing owners (OK, just the guys who own the Blackhawks are good for nothing) who's in charge.

And boy did they do just that. Not since the French let the Germans roll through Paris WWII had a collection of individuals lay down collectively like the players association, and their fearless leader Bob "General Custer" Goodenow, did in these negotiations. For those of you who think I'm being too harsh, check out the scorecard below...

Salary Cap:
Player's Take: Not over my hockey-hair headed body
Reality: $37 MM cap

Salary Cuts
Player's Take: We scoff at that idea...
Reality: 24% rollback for everyone

Individual Salary Cap
Player's Take: What do you think this is the WNBA
Reality: No salary higher than $7MM

I think it's safe to say the owners ten runned the players on this one. However, the rub is that had the Union gotten serious about negotiating earlier they would have gotten a better deal. Goodenow and crew never thought the owners would shut down the season. Little did they know that the Gang of 30 would have been just fine taking a Winter off. When it got down to crunch time the Union hemmed and hawed at a salary cap of $42 MM. When they waited too long the owners pulled the deal. And the Union ended up getting less. The whole thing cost Union head Bob Goodenow his job (as it should).

Hawk's View: I don't consider myself much of a puckhead but I think hockey can make it back. Hockey fans are notoriously loyal and I expect teams will draw well (although don't expect the owners new found "cost certainty" to reflect in lower ticket prices). Where hockey really has a shot is with High Definition TV. The game represents better than any sporting event out there in HD (yes, even football) and is a lot more fun to watch. It'll take time but the Hawk feels that the future of the NHL is bright. Don't you agree, eh...