Hockey Stuff

Here are some scattered observations, comments, and links:

-First, there's a great little piece in the Tennessean today about Greg Johnson (and other players) and how they're planning to live life without hockey.

My favorite quote from it is this: ''It's an awful feeling,'' Johnson said.
''I feel frustrated, disappointed and embarrassed. I feel guilty. More than anything, I'm ready and excited to get into camp, but that's not the case.''

-Second, David Climer wrote an editorial about salary cap versus luxury tax and it's an interesting argument:
Here it is.

Now, his biggest argument against a salary cap seems to be that a league needs a spend-crazy team for everyone to hate or love, like the Yankees with baseball. I think that's a silly argument, but he makes great points about why a luxury tax is a good plan. It's worth a read. Again I have a favorite quote: "And get this: The Hockey News recently picked Nashville, with its comparatively frugal payroll, to win its division this season."

I was not aware of this...and it's all even more depressing hearing that. Win the division! That would have been sweet.

-Third, Joe Biddle writes his thoughts, mostly about how we fans are the real whipping boys of this conflict:
Here it is.

Favorite quote: " Meanwhile it will be the little people who suffer � the GEC's concession stand workers, the security staff, the ushers, the ticket personnel, the parking lot attendants. The Preds previously laid off some staff. Look for more cuts to come. It trickles on and on. The downtown restaurants, clubs and motels will feel the pinch."

Too true. Think about all the millions who will have income affected or whiped out by this thing, from janitors to trainers to players to concessionists to local businesses....it's quite a vast number of people whose financial futures are dependant upon this league's survival.

UPDATE: These links messed up the look again, so I edited it (Mike).