Sep 172012
When some of the league’s most prolific and well-respected stars speak out, you listen.
Teemu Selanne is a part-time blogger, now that there’s no hockey, and criticizes Gary Bettman for the lockout. The post is in Finnish, but there’s always Google Translate for that.
Joe Morrow, a highly regarded prospect for the Penguins, also lashed out on Twitter, saying Bettman should be the “commissioner of a different sport like knitting.” The post has since been deleted with Morrow defending himself by saying that the tweet was from a fan’s perspective, not a pro hockey player’s.
I am glad the players are being more vocal this time around. Their bargaining position is undoubtedly stronger, and Bettman/NHL deserves all of the criticism that comes their way. The PR ramifications of Malkin, Ovechkin, Crosby, and every other superstar playing in the KHL is going to be huge.
But you gotta wonder if what the players say affects Bettman at all. I believe Ovechkin when he says he’ll find it hard to come back if the PA gives into the NHL’s demands again. Think Bettman will call his bluff?
Vlad Tarasenko just went home to Russia after the Blues tried so hard to get him to come overseas. Think he’ll come back with the NHL in such disarray? I really doubt it. It’s a shame because Tarasenko is unbelievably good.
dont delete that tweet. shoulda just kept er up morrow. way more props for that.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=469855163036754&set=a.469855039703433.104231.182415568447383&type=1&theater
Unrelated topic, Kassian(far left) looks HUGE…