Whose Ruining Hockey Now? NHL Lockout Edition

Hockey is an awesome sport. Some when someone/thing happens to deter that awesomeness, it becomes a black eye on the sport. Whether the intention was to "progress the game" or was flat out bad, it tends to damage the sport. This feature will call out those who think they are better than the game.

Welcome to (yet another) feature around here. In "Whose Ruining Hockey Now?", we examine who is the culprit, their actions, and rate them on a scale of 1-5. 1 being not too bad to 5 being "OH GOD BURN HIM NOW".

Actually lets revise the scale system.
                                                                  
Ladies and Gents, I present to you:

THE BETTMAN SCALE

 



Yes, we are ranking this on the Bettman Scale (TM) of disasters. Here's how it breaks down:

1 Bettman = The "private" Bettman. On the surface it looks bad, but at the end of the day it's really a minor inconvenience at best.

2 Bettmans = The "addressing the crowd" Bettman. It's bad, but will eventually fade into obscurity...or be a part of everyday annoyance.

3 Bettmans = The "relocate your franchise" Bettman. Overwhelmingly bad, will be remembered for years to come.

4 Bettmans = The "half work stoppage" Bettman. Hockey is too good, so lets kill some momentum by cancelling the season.

5 Bettmans = The "full work stoppage" Bettman. Hockey is TOO good, lets just cancel the whole season and try again next year.

NHL Lockout - Part Trois

There are too many to judge individually during the lockout. From owners trying to save face to players assuring fans that they are united to get the season started...in Europe. Through out the negotiating process though, there have been four people who stand out: Bill Daly and Gary Bettman for the NHL, and Steve and Donald Fehr for the NHLPA.

Defendant #1 - Steve Fehr



Pictured: Steve Fehr...I'm guessing

Title: Special Counsel to the NHLPA
Offense: Being related to Donald Fehr (you'll see why)
Redeeming Qualities: Keeps talks going, positive reviews from his time with MLB/PA labour negotiations.
Bettman Rating:

1 Bettman

While I don't know anything about him or his work, it sounds like he's the kind of guy who could move the process along in a hurry. Still, that last name...


Defendant #2 - Bill Daly

Pictured: Bill Daly looking like he's about to take a crap
Also pictured: the end result

Title: NHL Deputy Commissioner
Offense: Going through yet another lockout.
Redeeming Qualities: Has to work with Bettman without judging him? GIVE THAT MAN A MEDAL!
Bettman Scale:

2 Bettmans

2 lockouts = 2 Bettmans. Although this seems like an unfair ratting since he is actually attempting to make progress while being hand-tied by NHL ideals.


Defendant #3 - Donald Fehr

Pictured: Stunned...That he has to go through this s*** again.

Title: Executive Director of the NHLPA
Offense: He's good...maybe too good. Also, was head of the MLBPA during the 1994 lockout, which started the demise of the Montreal Expos. DAMN YOU FEHR!
Redeeming Qualities: End up making MLB's CBA one of the steadiest in sports, knows how to negotiate and work a crowd.
Bettman Scale:

4 Bettmans

Does he deserve this high a rating? No, but are the Expos still in Montreal?...Exactly.


Defendant #4 - Gary Bettman 

Pictured: Eric Idle's younger, evil-er brother
(That comparison might just be me seeing things)

Title: Most Hated Man In The Universe NHL Commissioner
Offense: 3 "work stoppages", relocating franchises, many unpopular decisions, and "Living" (submitted by a C.Chelios)
Redeeming Qualities: Having to negotiate with the owner's interest in mind? I got nothing.
Bettman Scale:

6 BETTMANS

Self-explanatory.