NHL Lockout 2012: The saga continues

Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal hoists the Stanley Cup in 2006 - Grant Halverson, Getty Images

So now the two quarreling sides, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) have gone to counseling.

More sets of ears to hear why the owners continue to lock out the players and deny millions of fans the opportunity to watch the 'best' hockey players in the world compete for the Stanley Cup, and keep thousands of workers in the related industries tied to the game, from earning a living.

Does the power base that maintains control (the owners) continue its reign in completing a third lockout in 18 years and canceling the NHL season again, similar to 2004-2005?

The possibility of the oldest, most storied and recognizable trophy in professional sport not being awarded for only the third time since the NHL (NHA back then) was formed, and the second time in eight years, due to a labor issue such as a lockout, is ludicrous.

The only other time that the Cup was not awarded occurred during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1919 - a much more understandable reason to cancel playing for Lord Stanley's chalice - and they still played four games of the series between the Montreal Canadiens and Seattle Metropolitans before they called it off.

Not competing for the Stanley Cup due to a flu epidemic makes sense.

Not competing for the Stanley Cup due to a lockout, doesn't.

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Recent Carolina Hurricanes Examiner news on Examiner.com:

NHL, NHLPA look to mediation to end lockout

The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) agreed to allow federal mediators to become involved with current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations as announced in New York, N.Y. on Monday.Federal Mediation...

NHL lockout provides for family time

As of Friday morning, the word coming from various media reports was that National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman had proposed a two-week moratorium on current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) talks with the National Hockey League Players'... 

 

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NHL Lockout 2012: Still making sense?

Carolina Hurricanes players working out during lockout - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

With National Hockey League (NHL) players still working out on their own to stay in shape anticipating that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) can be worked out between the league and their union, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), many heads are being still being scratched as to how it has progressed to 49 days.

It seems that as much as things change with the NHL, they remain the same.

As much as the league's size, its collective team values, and interest in the game has increased, the fundamentals of labor operation and understanding between owners and players remains the same.

The owners call the shots.

"No sport has controlled its athletes as effortlessly and totally as hockey," wrote David Cruise and co-author Allison Griffiths in their 1991 book, 'Net Worth - Exploding the Myths of Pro Hockey'.

That was written 23 years ago and still holds true today during the NHL's third lockout of its players since 1994.

In his book, 'Power Plays: An inside look at the big business of the National Hockey League', former NHL President Gil Stein, the last in the position of President, before the Commissioner position was created and filled by the only individual to do so, Gary Bettman, wrote this about league owners:

"National Hockey League owners consist of two basic groups - the Haves and the Have-Mores. Do not be misled by public utterances during collective bargaining negotiations. There are no poor owners in the NHL."

That was written back in 1997 - just after the first player lockout in 1994-95.

Decide for yourself who is responsible for the current lockout - it's pretty obvious.

Empower yourself and read more about NHL labor history when you can.

NHL lockout is still profitable it seems

National Hockey League (NHL) owners must be doing very well financially as their current lockout of players has now extended to 49 full days and counting as of Saturday.What other reason would there be to completely lock their doors..

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