Bill Daly Says There Will Be A Season
Joe Yerdon at Pro Hockey Talk reports that when asked if there was going to be a NHL season by Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada radio, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said yes.
However, that yes must be put in context...
Friedman: “‘I hope so’ is not allowed to be an answer to this question or ‘I want to believe so’ is not an answer to this question. Yes or no: Do we have a season?”
Daly: “Yes.”
...while I'm happy to hear yes rather than no, Daly was obviously painted into a corner by Friedman, so take this with a huge grain of salt.
Daly also said that the point of no return for the cancellation of the season is “sometime in mid-January.”
Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Breaking News??? here's what Daly said in Pat Leonard's blog on November 20, 2012:On whether this week is more important than another, especially for the fate of the December schedule: “I want to play tomorrow. So, again, I don’t think this week as compared to any other week is particularly significant.”What makes anyone think that things have changed...face the reality, this is driven by the 20-odd owners that either tread water or lose money....they lose NOTHING when no games are played...I know its radical, and that Bettman is their foil, but if the other owners (Original 6 + Philly, St.L, Pitt., LA?) stepped up and said, "lets do something on our own," it might be time to blow this up and start from scratch (1968)...the Players Association would, of course, lose their mind if that was the case, but if you have complained about 3rd and 4th liners/enforcers/tractor drivers earning hundreds of thousands OF YOUR DOLLARS, ask yourself - wouldn't this be better for hockey? How many times have you complained about the watered-down talent?
Here's an example: although I love them both, can you explain to me why guys like Tie Domi and Matthew Barnaby are celebrities that NEVER have to actually work another day in their lives? because they made enough money in their career, thanks to expansion and the union, so that average to below average players are set for life...if you work for a living , don't you find something wrong with that?
@smoothyv I read this great piece in Time about how the real issue isn't between the owners and players, it's actually between the owners and owners. The NHL needs to do a better job with revenue sharing for the health of the league. Just look at the NFL: http://business.time.com/2012/12/19/hockeys-wealth-redistribution-problem-whats-really-behind-the-nhl-lockout/
How? How can there possibly be a season at this point, let alone one that's even worth having? I hate to be a pessimist but at this point I just don't believe it, and Daly is going to look like a class-a idiot when he has to eat his words.
@erichan I'm just as negative as the next guy, but there is plenty of time to still save the season. But I'm like you, Is a 48-game season really legit. I'd say the Stanley Cup winner would be tainted similar to Devils in 1995.
@KevinDeLury @erichan tainted is a good word. If the Rangers won a 48 game regular season cup. But even if they did win it under those circumstances, I'd still be stoked out of my mind! You still have to win the playoffs, and you still get to see the pure joy on the faces of yours and my favorite players.
How is an IDIOT like Daily in charge? The guy may have said it has to be yes or no. But guess what Bill? YOU COULD HAVE SAID I DON'T KNOW!!! You just lost your precious PR war a-hole!!! When we don't have a season you're going to look like such a freaking liar. Idiot.
@GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG Agreed, just b/c Friedman said it had to be yes or no doesn't mean he really had to answer that way. More false hope and promises.
How could the cup be tainted? The Kings basically sleep walk through the regular season, barely sneak in and win themselves a cup. The season is just a big appetizer for the real season that is the playoffs. If this season happens and the rangers win the cup I dont care how long the regular season is, I'll be ecstatic.
