March 7, 200521 yr The World Hockey Association has announced the Bobby Hull Invitational Tournament, beginning on May 20th. There's a pretty impressive list of NHLers confirmed to participate, including Jeremy Roenick, Martin St Louis, Tony Amonte, Chris Chelios ( if he's not bobsledding then :rolly ), Derian Hatcher, Jarome Iginla, Tyson Nash, and many others. Right now, they don't seem to have the top-level goaltenders, but I'm sure some top goalies will sign on later. The tournament is being seen as a tester to see if the WHA has viability as an alternative to the NHL for some guys should the labor struggle go into next season. I think it would be foolish for the WHA to try to compete with the NHL, simply because the NHL is so entrenched as THE major hockey league. I feel that it's still seen that way, despite the awful f***ups Bettman and Goodenow put the League through this year. Thoughts, hockey fans? ( NO thoughts from non-hockey fans, please - there are plenty of Illini and NFL threads for you to participate in - thanks. I am not gonna piss all over the March Madness threads, please return the favor here. )
March 7, 200521 yr Meh -- Flavor of the month, yeah, maybe... Long term? No chance. These guys (Goodenough and Bettman) need to put their ego's aside and get this done. Unfortunately for the players, there's no chance that the owners are going to bend even the slightest bit now. They had their chance, that chance is gone -- the owners are going to get a plan in place, that they like. The NHLPA can shout day and night how they're not split, and have their members revoke statements about how leadership hasn't been clear to them, but you saw the 'PA folding as that deadline came closer and closer. Next year, if a deal isn't in place, the same thing will happen. The veterans who haven't played in a year will (many of them) retire, and many will cross the line and play with the replacement players. I really hope it doesn't get to that point, because it'll get real, real ugly if it does...
March 7, 200521 yr Why couldn't it succeed? The most important thing is the players. No one goes to see Bettman, the refs, or the coaches. The players are the key. If they have star power, people will go. See also the ABA and the AFL.
March 7, 200521 yr There's a lot of interesting things that came out of last week's meetings. That's about all I can say at this point.
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