What is the worst-case scenario for the NHL?
To most observers, it would be a repeat of the 2004-05 non-season in which competition was wiped out by the labor dispute and the NHL ultimately canceled the season.
There is little doubt that this would be a disaster for the NHL. Commissioner Gary Bettman has been talking tough since negotiations began this summer, but he has been careful not to mention the possibility of losing the full season.
He is banking on the memory of that lost 2004-05 season pushing the NHLPA into a softer negotiating stance. If it doesn't happen soon and neither side shows significant movement, whispers of a lost season will grow louder.
But could the NHL go in another direction and attempt to use replacement players to get the season started?
It may seem laughable, but it could be a tool the league uses. The idea would be to bring in enough free agents and reserve players who could fill up roster space on the NHL's 30 teams.
This move could end the stalemate and possibly break the union.
According to former Maple Leafs general manager Bill Watters, this is something that the NHL will ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Steve Silverman
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October 9th, 2012 by Steve Silverman Leave a reply »
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