A friend of mine from high school is trying to win a free wedding from a local radio station. He was supposed to be married a month or so ago, but his mom was killed outside her house a week before the wedding and my friend's wedding money went toward the funeral. It's a really messed up story. So if you don't mind, click here and vote for couple #3 — Veenu and Manisha. It's not like you have any hockey to watch. You may as well do it.
Big shock. Rob Ray is backing off his comments that he would become a replacement player in a scab-staffed NHL. He told the Buffalo News he has no intention of ever playing again.
The players actually have a lot of good reasons why the NHL wouldn't work with replacement players. Canadian labor laws (or labour laws) are one reason. Matt Barnaby, as smart as he is mean, points out that people won't pay for crappy hockey. And Buffalo defenseman Jay McKee reasons that if you take all ECHL and AHL players, you'll have no one to play in those leagues. You know. Except me. Even though I can't skate or shoot.
Meanwhile, the NHLPA is finally getting smart. They continue to resist a salary cap, but yesterday they trotted out NHL stars to reinforce their message. What does that do? It makes the players seem sympathetic and it gives a face to the union's plight. What's not touching about someone like Vinny Damphousse saying "But I made a lot of money because of the sacrifices from guys under the last deal. So I'm not going to be selfish. I'm going to do what's right for the membership."
If the players can keep it up, fans are going to start demanding to know why the owners won't compromise on the cap. It's all about momentum.
I love Rob Ray saying he'd become a replacement player.
I'm sure the fans at home can't wait to see Rob Ray, age 96, return to the ice. I'm sure that'll scare the players into agreeing to a deal with the owners. I can almost see the players sitting around, talking about Ray's bombshell:
- 'Guys. Rob Ray will come back if we don't make a deal. We've gotta sign something. And quick. If Ray gets back on the ice, no one will care if we ever come back.'
Speaking of replacement players, Tim Panaccio remembers when the NFL went with replacement players (login info.). It was ugly. He's also wondering if Flyers owner Ed Snider, a lifelong union man, would ever be a part of breaking a union.
I bet a lot of people are wondering that.
