The following is a hypothetical conversation between NHL Players' Association Executive Director Bob Goodenow and President Trevor Linden that could have taken place the night before the NHL officially canceled its season.
Linden: Uh, Boss, I think we should accept a salary cap. It seems inevitable. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he'd cancel the season tomorrow at 11 a.m.
Goodenow: Then too bad! We won't have a season. We're not accepting a cap. No way. We've stood by our word since day one. How do you think it'll make the players' association look if we, all of a sudden, accept a cap?
Linden: We need a cap, Boss. Players want to play.
Goodenow: OK, fine, Trevor. We'll accept a cap. No, no, better yet, we'll counteroffer.
And you know the rest of the story. The league said there wasn't room for negotiations and the season was canceled. But then, there was a faint glimmer of hope.
Two of hockey's greatest decided they wouldn't stand to be locked out any further and brought up negotiations again.
But even Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky couldn't save the National Hockey League.
Their efforts to salvage what could have been left of the professional season was commendable, yet laughable. Way to finally get involved in negotiations only after the season was officially canceled.
Way to finally realize that your Mellon and Glendale arenas will sit idle in its respective cities for a heck of a long time - the nets stashed away, the locker room collecting dust, the scoreboard off since 2004's final regular-season game. The most action the buildings have seen was a peewee hockey camp weeks ago.
The actions of the players' association shows how messed up the NHLPA is. It starts with the big wigs - Executive Director Bob Goodenow and Senior Director Ted Saskin. For eight months since the season concluded in early June, and even before that, they said in no way would the players accept a salary cap.
Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars told the National Post in mid-January that the the players' resolve will be tested but ultimately it would last.
Modano also was quoted as saying, "We've put a lot of trust in our union and our negotiating committee and we have the upmost respect for Bob Goodenow and the decisions he has helped us make as a union."
Oh, really? Is that why, in the 11th hour when Bettman gave an 11 a.m. ultimatum to take the league's offer or risk having the season canceled, the players' association suddenly said, "Gee, maybe we should take a cap?"
Well, duh. There was no way the owners were going to budge in their stance. This is their league. They're looking out for the well-being of their business - which you have to remember, is what it all comes down to. That's why all 30 owners are backed behind Bettman. They know their efforts now will upset the players. They know about the unpopularity of the league and they know the fans they do have might turn away.
But down the line, five or 10 years from whenever a new deal is set in place, the business aspect of the league will be better off. Teams such as Detroit, Toronto and Philadelphia won't ever be able to overspend on free agents, and smaller market teams such as Nashville and Edmonton would be in contention every year.
The biggest mistake by the players' association came from cracking under pressure. It shows the league that it will get what it wants, and it will.
There is a reason why the NFL thrives even with a salary cap. The NHL might some day, as well.
Esther Gim is the State News sports editor. She might follow baseball now without hockey. Might. Reach her at gimesthe@msu.edu.
