Kings' Avery: Players were brainwashed

[Madferret]

Kings' Avery: Players were brainwashed
TSN.ca Staff

Los Angeles Kings forward Sean Avery says NHL players were wrong and are sorry for the lockout which cost fans an entire NHL season. "We were brainwashed," he tells the Los Angeles Times about the decision to follow the union's advice during contract talks with the owners.

"We burned a year for nothing. We didn't win anything. We didn't prove anything. We didn't get anything. We wasted an entire season." Avery places the blame for hte situation squarely on the shoulders of union boss Bob Goodenow, who he says "embarassed" a lot of players.

"I am furious at Bob (Goodenow)," Avery tells the newspaper. "Bob thought he was bigger than he was. Bob brainwashed players like me." The NHLPA declined to comment on the story.

Avery claims most of the players did not know what was going on during the talks, did not know the "real story". "We underestimated how rich the owners were," he said. "Nobody thought they would be willing to burn a season."

"They won. They beat us." Avery says he understands the fans negative reaction towards the players.

"The saddest thing that happened to me during the lockout was the two or three times that fans asked me what was going on," he said. "I wished I could have apologized to them then. I apologize to them now."

"We owe the fans everything, we need to get them back, we need to cross our fingers that they will come back," he said.

Avery is the latest player to come out and criticize the union's position during the lockout in the last week. Detroit Red Wings goaltender Manny Legace, a union representative, called the past year "a farce" and that they wasted a lot of money for nothing.

Lemming Avery?

http://67.18.37.18/2218/38/emo/hypnodisk.gif

[Amoroq]

The best way to get back in the fans good graces is to say things exactly like this. Don't blame Goodenow for your lack of fortitude. Bob told you all, well before the last season even ended to prepare yourselves for missing up to 2 season. You all went along with him until he screamed "Attach bayonets!!" and you ran like little babies. It was a war, and as soon as it got difficult, some players tried to negotiate outside the party, the NHL saw blood and went for the juggular.

When Goodenow announced they would accept the cap, it was only after the NHL pulled linkage off the table, both were big steps from each side. At that point a deal was so close, but like I mentioned, some players had the idea that they could do better then a lawyer who has only practised labour law from both sides most of his adult life. Bettman saw this, used it and here we are today. The players, pants down and the NHL re-assuming the position they had in the past. Do yourself a favour, buy stock in KY Gel.

[Madferret]

The best way to get back in the fans good graces is to say things exactly like this. Don't blame Goodenow for your lack of fortitude. Bob told you all, well before the last season even ended to prepare yourselves for missing up to 2 season. You all went along with him until he screamed "Attach bayonets!!" and you ran like little babies. It was a war, and as soon as it got difficult, some players tried to negotiate outside the party, the NHL saw blood and went for the juggular.

When Goodenow announced they would accept the cap, it was only after the NHL pulled linkage off the table, both were big steps from each side. At that point a deal was so close, but like I mentioned, some players had the idea that they could do better then a lawyer who has only practised labour law from both sides most of his adult life. Bettman saw this, used it and here we are today. The players, pants down and the NHL re-assuming the position they had in the past. Do yourself a favour, buy stock in KY Gel.

Bob still has his brainwashing clutches on you eh Amo?

[macca]

Amo, I agree with you when you say the players lacked fortitude and now some of them may whine like babies. But I also believe there was a total lack of leadership and communication from Goodenow and the NHLPA, who approached this lockout like a dictatorship by using threats and intimidation tactics that now look absolutely foolish: threats to players when they spoke to the media; threats to decertify any agent who didn't follow Goodenow's agenda; and threats to juniors who said they would play in the NHL next year if the lockout was still going on. Anyone with a thought of their own was completely crucified, so it's no wonder many players refused to rock the boat but whining about it now is not the right thing to do. Goodenow spent his time spreading his union propaganda B.S. that anyone not hypnotized by his crap could read through; a classic case being Bill Wirtz hiding money from his luxury boxes. What was to hyde? Most of his sky boxes were empty!! The NHLPA became the gang that couldn't shoot straight and acted with complete and utter incompetence. And their so-called executive leadership group is made up for the most part of players I have absolutely no respect for. Yeah, Bettman saw that and took advantage of it - who wouldn't ???

[Newfie John]

The best way to get back in the fans good graces is to say things exactly like this. Don't blame Goodenow for your lack of fortitude. Bob told you all, well before the last season even ended to prepare yourselves for missing up to 2 season. You all went along with him until he screamed "Attach bayonets!!" and you ran like little babies. It was a war, and as soon as it got difficult, some players tried to negotiate outside the party, the NHL saw blood and went for the juggular.

When Goodenow announced they would accept the cap, it was only after the NHL pulled linkage off the table, both were big steps from each side. At that point a deal was so close, but like I mentioned, some players had the idea that they could do better then a lawyer who has only practised labour law from both sides most of his adult life. Bettman saw this, used it and here we are today. The players, pants down and the NHL re-assuming the position they had in the past. Do yourself a favour, buy stock in KY Gel.

Throughout this lockout you have said that you're going to stay objective and not take either side. It has become more and more evident that for some reason you're biased towards the player's side. This post is nothing more than some good ol humping of Bob Goodenow's leg. The players have been misguided throughout this whole ordeal and they ended up getting screwed because their leader is an idiot. The players were convinced that they wouldn't have to accept a cap of ANY SORT. That changed. The excuse was because linkage was off the table. Now they're about to accept a deal with a cap in the 30's, a luxury tax with teeth starting in the 20's, AND the 24% rollback to boot! The players have been brainwashed much like the nazi army. If NHLPA leadership wanted to guide their players right, they would have accepted the deal last winter and avoided all of this crap. If the NHL goes in the gutter, there's no one else to blame but the players association.

[Max Power]

Bob still has his brainwashing clutches on you eh Amo?

You might say he's got him by the
http://sportusa.datasport.it/immagini/goodenow.jpg

:nod:

I'm glad to hear players are finally waking up and speaking up. Hockey is a business and all sides need to make money for the business to thrive. Accountability seems to be a tough word for many to grasp but it?s good to see many are seeing it now

[skidmark]

This is gonna sound weird, but I think both Bettman and Goodenow did good jobs. Both sides showed their willingness to go the distance. If either side had caved they'd have weakened themselves for future negotiations. I think it was a sacrifice both sides had to make.

[bluemeanie]

This is gonna sound weird, but I think both Bettman and Goodenow did good jobs. Both sides showed their willingness to go the distance. If either side had caved they'd have weakened themselves for future negotiations. I think it was a sacrifice both sides had to make.

Or you could say that they both did a bad job at making it look like they did a good job at doing their job.... that sounds less weird.

[skidmark]

Or you could say that they both did a bad job at making it look like they did a good job at doing their job.... that sounds less weird.

Ahwhawha....what?

[macca]

This is gonna sound weird, but I think both Bettman and Goodenow did good jobs. .


If that's the case I'd hate to be near either one of them when they do a 'bad' job. :eek:

[Madferret]

Gary failed better...

[Amoroq]

Throughout this lockout you have said that you're going to stay objective and not take either side. It has become more and more evident that for some reason you're biased towards the player's side. This post is nothing more than some good ol humping of Bob Goodenow's leg. The players have been misguided throughout this whole ordeal and they ended up getting screwed because their leader is an idiot. The players were convinced that they wouldn't have to accept a cap of ANY SORT. That changed. The excuse was because linkage was off the table. Now they're about to accept a deal with a cap in the 30's, a luxury tax with teeth starting in the 20's, AND the 24% rollback to boot! The players have been brainwashed much like the nazi army. If NHLPA leadership wanted to guide their players right, they would have accepted the deal last winter and avoided all of this crap. If the NHL goes in the gutter, there's no one else to blame but the players association.In the begining I did try. In the begining I tried to understand why all the hate for the players. These are the ones that play the game we love. But I wasn't able to figure out why everyone decided to put their suppot behind the billionare instead of ignoring both and putting preasure on both. So I decided to take a different path then the rest (Obviously a lost cause) and try as best as I can with my limited knowledge of what is actually going on behind closed doors to explain away my ideas.

As soon as the reports of players going behind the executives back surfaced, I knew then that the players were doomed to fail and would end up with what they are apparently going to end up with. I stand by my opinion that if the players stood by Goodenow, when he finally accepted the cap after Bettman took linkage off the table, this mess could have been over months ago. The draft would have happened and we would be arguing over player signings instead of still speculating.

We all wanted hockey back and a deal that was good for both sides was there for the taking but Bettman saw an opportunity becasue of the weakness of a few high profile players and he took it. It was the opportunity that he was waiting for all along. I firmly believe his goal from day one was to crush the union, and crush the union he has.

I'm very disapointed that he chose this path, if he had taken the other road, I think this deal would have been put to bed a long time ago.

No one in this mess is clean, but for some reason nothing is sticking to the owners. Perhaps their time is comming to face harsh critisisim. One of the biggest jackasses in this mess, the owner of the Boston Bruins. They are committed to freezing ticket prices at the 2003-2004 season. Gee whiz Jeremy, thank you so much! So far the only people who I see getting breaks are season ticket holders. Yea, they need the break alright. Most people who can afford seasons tickets don't have to worry about money.

Oh well Game on :)

[macca]

As soon as the reports of players going behind the executives back surfaced, I knew then that the players were doomed to fail and would end up with what they are apparently going to end up with.


Here is where I disagree with you. The NHLPA and the players stabbed each other in the back. The minute the NHLPA endorsed their members to go play hockey in Europe - at least 2 executive NHLPA members played in Europe - not only taking away other professional hockey players jobs, but at the same time leaving over half of their membership unemployed here in North America, it was the game over for the NHLPA and their union was fractured. Bettman new it and took advantage of it. It was every player for themselves from this point forward and now their union has to be built from the top down. The NHLPA is a shell of what it once was, but it was the NHLPA who made too many bad choices and took the huge risk that the owners would capitulate, without much thought as to what would happen if the owners stood their ground. The NHLPA made their own bed and their leadership should face the consequences.

[Newfie John]

In the begining I did try. In the begining I tried to understand why all the hate for the players. These are the ones that play the game we love. But I wasn't able to figure out why everyone decided to put their suppot behind the billionare instead of ignoring both and putting preasure on both. So I decided to take a different path then the rest (Obviously a lost cause) and try as best as I can with my limited knowledge of what is actually going on behind closed doors to explain away my ideas.

As soon as the reports of players going behind the executives back surfaced, I knew then that the players were doomed to fail and would end up with what they are apparently going to end up with. I stand by my opinion that if the players stood by Goodenow, when he finally accepted the cap after Bettman took linkage off the table, this mess could have been over months ago. The draft would have happened and we would be arguing over player signings instead of still speculating.

We all wanted hockey back and a deal that was good for both sides was there for the taking but Bettman saw an opportunity becasue of the weakness of a few high profile players and he took it. It was the opportunity that he was waiting for all along. I firmly believe his goal from day one was to crush the union, and crush the union he has.

I'm very disapointed that he chose this path, if he had taken the other road, I think this deal would have been put to bed a long time ago.

No one in this mess is clean, but for some reason nothing is sticking to the owners. Perhaps their time is comming to face harsh critisisim. One of the biggest jackasses in this mess, the owner of the Boston Bruins. They are committed to freezing ticket prices at the 2003-2004 season. Gee whiz Jeremy, thank you so much! So far the only people who I see getting breaks are season ticket holders. Yea, they need the break alright. Most people who can afford seasons tickets don't have to worry about money.

Oh well Game on :)

In that case Bettman didn't crush the union, Goodenow just couldn't keep them together. Just when they started to negotiate for real, is when the union fell apart. It happened right when the NHL took linkage off the table. A major concession no doubt. Then it looked like a deal would be done until the players started kicking up a fuss and Goodenow couldn't keep them unified. Maybe if the players had stopped being so stupid a deal would be done? So once again, the sole reason this lockout has gone on so long is because of Bob Goodenow and the players.

[grim]

The NHLPA played a game of chicken and (maybe) lost. The union was trying to see their membership continue to make top money. I'm no lawyer, but isn't that their job? It was a gamble. The owners caused the mess in the first place with their greed. Now they need an idiot proof system to keep themselves solvent. Pitiful. There is no deal yet. In my business, it aint over til the contract is signed.

[bluemeanie]

In my business, it aint over til the contract is signed.

...or the scotch is all gone.

[grim]

...or the scotch is all gone.

Oui. Ces't ca. Eau de dieu. Glen Canal. :]

[macca]

The NHLPA played a game of chicken and (maybe) lost. The union was trying to see their membership continue to make top money. I'm no lawyer, but isn't that their job? It was a gamble. The owners caused the mess in the first place with their greed. Now they need an idiot proof system to keep themselves solvent. Pitiful. There is no deal yet. In my business, it aint over til the contract is signed.

You can't expect the majority of responsible owners to be at the mercy of a few dimwit owners and GM's. Case in point - Mike Milbury and the New York Rangers. They sign players to idiotic contracts and all other teams suffer for it because every player on every team now thinks they deserve an inflated salary. That's why they need an idiot proof system in place. The NHLPA have had years and numerous opportunities to acknowledge this and up until a few months ago refused to do it. Yes the NHLPA is responsible for getting their membership the most money possible, but their complete arrogance has also led to a deal that should have been reached a few years ago, and one I would assume would be better than the one they are going to get now, and without having their membership lose one year's salary and a 24% rollback to boot. The NHLPA have only themselves to blame for this and nobody else. But if the owners had stood firm 10 years ago they wouldn't be in this mess either, and the owners also thought the value of their teams was worth much more than they are actually worth. Stupidy, greed, and arrogance on both sides is not a healthy combination :)

[Mel]

Case in point - Mike Milbury and the New York Rangers.

I'm pretty sure Milbury works for the Islanders. ;)

Just once I'd like to see the whipping boy role passed around. Did you know that for 2 of the past 3 years Detroit had the highest payroll in the NHL? That's right, it wasn't the Rangers.

[Madferret]

I'm pretty sure Milbury works for the Islanders. ;)

Just once I'd like to see the whipping boy role passed around. Did you know that for 2 of the past 3 years Detroit had the highest payroll in the NHL? That's right, it wasn't the Rangers.

Mel's right. Call out Schnieder in Philly, TML & Tannenbaum in Toronto, the Lauries' in St. Louis, Milbury & Chang, Illitch & Holland in Detroit, and of course Sather and NYR for this mess.