kenabnrmal said:
...That suggests to me that he might not have any desire to watch NHL hockey any longer. Sure, I took a small step to make a point.
...but Doan is a guy I've watched and followed since his junior career. He's been nothing but a stand-up guy, leader, and has never once played with less than 100% of his effort. He's also one of the better, nicer, more fan-friendly players in the league, and is also a pretty bright guy....Why should someone's opinion on a contentious issue change your view of them as a person or as a hockey player.
I appreciate your follow up to explain your point and admission that you took a bit of a leap with what I was saying. My comment about not having any other hockey to watch locally reflected on missing having any hockey to watch now. I certainly hope to see NHL hockey again.
I mention Doan because of quotes like this --
On Bettman --
"I don't know what happened to him in the last lockout (1994). Maybe he feels embarrassed and is trying to prove himself in this one."
If that isn't a snide little personal dig I'm not sure what is. It certainly doesn't help create sympathy for the player's in the eyes of the fans. In fact it makes Bettman look like the bigger man when he doesn't respond in kind, and deflects it by saying -- "In the course of collective bargaining, it's not uncommon for a union that's not getting what it wants to attack or have its members attack the negotiators on the other side,'' Bettman told LeafsTV. ''And those are sounding like words of desperation on behalf of the union. But I don't make anything of it.''
It makes Doan look like an immature little kid who is in over his head.
And how many fans are really going to agree with this comment by Doan--
"(The owners) don't want guaranteed contracts. What they want is, if they make a mistake, they want to be able to cut a guy and not have to worry about it."
I've read literally hundreds of posts where fans are sided with the owners on this issue. And here is Doan throwing out the opposite viewpoint to the press. Shane, since you seem to be completely out of touch, let's state again that most people agree when you aren't performing in the role you were hired for, it's reasonable for you to be let go to pursue other employment.
Making this an issue just shows how pampered NHL players are compared to the average employee, and yes fans get upset due to the dollar figures involved and having these guys act like they are getting the shaft.
Getting to the NHL is a great personal and financial acheivement, but these guys seem to have found a way to be unhappy about it. Most people just can't relate to that.
So yes, when someone speaks their mind with a viewpoint that makes them look dumb or ill-informed or unappreciative of great circumstances (IMO) it can't help but change your opinion of them.
Do I hate these guys on a personal level? Of course not.
Do I think they are out of touch? Definitely.
Would it bother me if I was watching other players who would appreciate playing for less money take their jobs? No, not at all.
Whenever the NHL restarts, with or without the players union the vast majority of these guys are going to be back under whatever new deal they can get. Why? Because it's still going to be way better than their option B and most of them seem to appreciate that fact, other than a few who are making ill-advised comments to the media. The fans certainly do.