Bobby Orr - Right or Wrong

[Charlie Schuessler]

It is not often Mr. Robert Orr states his opinion publicly, http://www.eagletribune.com/ however when he does state it, people listen…

I agree with his opinion piece published in today’s Eagle Tribune regarding how the leaders of the NHL & Players Association should get their labor deal done or get out of the way…

Although the AHL games I've seen this season are entertaining (including the All Star Game), I am sorry to see an entire NHL season vanquish...Manchester vs. Worcester is not Boston vs. Montreal...

What do you think?

 

[thetrailboss]

Yep, the NHL needs to get its act together or get out of town. Real shame.

 

[SilentCal]

You have to admire Orr for what he did. Today's players make millions more than he did back in his heyday. I agree with him totally. You have to think about the fans and those who make a living working for the clubs and at the staduims. Shame on Bettman and Goodenow for playing a game of brinkmanship at the expense of those who support the game.
Manchester vs. Providence is certainly not Montreal vs. Boston but I'll admit I'm still laughing at the Bruins meltdown of last year.

 

[BeanoNYC]

As someone who played much hockey and drove a zamboni during his college years, I really hope all parties can get their act together for next season. This is a disgrace.

 

[riverc0il]

orr once participated in some sorta charity event near my home as a kid. my dad took my broter down to meet him and orr signed two posters, one for each my bro and myself. class act, my dad could never say enough about that event.

players and owners definitely need to get it together. while i believe the salary cap is something all sports really need, sign a temporary contract to get a single season played until things can be discussed in a more open environment. both the players and owners will be sorely hurting now that this season is pretty much written off for good. i left baseball sports fandome after the players strike. i returned during the home run race between sosa and maguire and the all star game at fenway, but have since left in disgust (likely permanently) due to what a spectacle the whole sports world has become.

to me, hockey was the last of the major sports to retain much of it's classic aethestic without the BS associated with other sports. we see the players and owners for what they are. it isn't about the game, it's about the benjamins. hockey was fading out of the public's mind as it was, this certainly doesn't help things.

 

[BeanoNYC]

to me, hockey was the last of the major sports to retain much of it's classic aethestic without the BS associated with other sports. we see the players and owners for what they are. it isn't about the game, it's about the benjamins. hockey was fading out of the public's mind as it was, this certainly doesn't help things.

Amen to that brother. 8)

 

[Jaytrek57]

I'll start off by saying ORR is a God in my book.

Now...ORR got royally *&^% by his agent and in some aspects the Bruins (management). Don't think he doesn't carry some of that to this day.

The NHLPA is asking way to much and does itself a disservice by comparing itself to other leagues (salary structure).

I am willing to bet that if an agreement is not reached you will see 100% of the players "cross" the picket line in September. The NHLPA has to know this and I am hopeful an agreemnet can be reached at the beginning of the summer.

 

[smitty77]

hockey was fading out of the public's mind as it was, this certainly doesn't help things.

I've heard a lot of people say "You know, I thought I would miss it more, but I don't." For a league struggling to build a fan-base and tv exposure, this is really hurting the league as a whole.

I don't think either side is right or wrong, but the current heads of each side need to step aside and let some new blood (without as much emotional baggage) step up and try to work out a deal. I believe a salary cap and revenue sharing is necessary. A level playing field makes for a more exciting playing field.

Aside from the "little people" such as the vendors, I feel sorry for all of those senoirs graduating from college this year. Some of those poor kids have prayed and hoped for a shot at the NHL for along time, and have put in a lot of hard work and sacrificed much to have a shot at the big time. Now they don't even know if they should hope for a draft or go look for a job in their chosen profession, all because the "powers that be" can't decide how much is too much. Sick.

It really suprised me when I saw that piece by Bobby. He's usually such a quiet and reserved man. I'm glad he wrote it though. It needed to be said, and said by someone that the pigheaded management might listen to.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The "old school" legends like Bobby Orr makes it pretty obvious how much the game has changed, in every sport. Or is it even a game anymore?

Sometimes I think the NHL's time has come and gone. I started souring on the NHL players after their behavior during the Olympics awhile back.The business model just doesn't work anymore.

When you compare the attendence numbers between the NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, not sure it's really a major sport anymore.

In Maine the hocky fans are rabid about the fortunes of the Black Bears, same for Vermont and the Cats. As mentioned above the AHL offers great hockey at reasonable prices. I take my son and his friends to see the Portland Pirates, great seats for 10 bucks and we have a blast.

For the NHL there will have to be some major concessions, from both sides. Not holding my breath.

 

[pedxing]

Binding arbitration seems the best solution. The pie they are fighting over keeps shrinking in the meantime.

I came of age watching Orr, Cheevers, Sanderson and crew. Orr still has a special place in this fans heart.

 

[riverc0il]

Sometimes I think the NHL's time has come and gone. I started souring on the NHL players after their behavior during the Olympics awhile back.The business model just doesn't work anymore.

at least NHL players can play in the olympics and the league breaks for it. unlike those sissy baseball players who can't risk an injury or disrupting their precious season in the name of world sport and country pride. when was the last time the USA medaled in baseball? :roll:

a lot of the heart has gone out of hockey, imo. last season i attended two bruins games. one of them being a playoff game vs. the habs. both crowds were pretty lame, especially the playoff crowd considering the circumstances. part of it is the homogenized lack of character that the fleet center has (it is NOT the garden, but that's a topic for a whole nuther thread!). i swear that arena sucks 50% of a normal crowds energy out of them just by the setup, design, lack of character, dumb sounds, and insane amounts of ads and lame visuals that do nothing to add to the atmosphere. TV time outs are the worst though, i noticed the same thing at the only pats game i went to. the TV time out is the number one crowd killer of all time, especially at a hockey or football game, whereas in baseball the ad time fits better. the other factor is the price. who can afford to go to a bruins game any more? with so much great college hockey and AHL action in the area, the pro level is facing so much competition from lower levels of play.

now if you want to see real fans and real emotion in hockey, college is where it's at. walking into the walter brown at BU (RIP), the alfond area at umaine, or the Whittemore Center at UNH as a visiting fan is often times taking your life into your own hands :lol: especially if your team wins!

 

[Jaytrek57]

Ok..I may get flamed...but here it goes...a different opinion.

The reason, I think, that people percieve that colleges, semi-pros, etc.., crowds are somehow more emotional, more supportive, etc...is the fact that these "hometown" teams play to a much, much smaller audience and house.

A sellout for a smaller venue, say 6,000 seats may seem more involved than say a crowd of 13,000 for the professional team.

I'm a "real" fan. But my passion is in seeing the best in competion.

A good sports/bar arguement is that the collegiate winner (Div 1) in say football or basketball of any given year could be competive in the respective professional league. The simple fact is the college teams would be crushed, why...b/c the level of competion, talent, teamwork is that much higher.

Crowds (energy) are not effected by design, buildings, timeouts, fancy gimmicks or what have you. They are affected by the product on the field/court and at the end of it all...if their team wins. That's it.

Except of cource the Ice Girls that clean the ice at Bruins games....I am affected by them. :wink:

Peace.

 

[riverc0il]

JayTrek, i gotta disagree from first hand experience. i have experienced a sold out bruins play off game and half full non-playoff college arenas, and the energy and passion is far greater in college arenas. the size may be one factor, but rather if you look at the arena construction, more likely the lack of open space at non-major arenas is a likely contributing factor, not size. that's why the garden was so great, there wasn't so much open space, everyone was crammed together. i simply couldn't believe how dead the fleet center was during bruins playoff hockey against the habs--packed house to boot.

i really disagree about gimmicks not influencing energy. if you go to a game, they do a TV time out (not found in college games, btw) in which the crowd completely cools off. then to bring the crowd back into the game and make it seem like the place is jumping to the home audience, they play super loud music (gimmick) and put graphics on the boards telling people to make some noise (gimmick). one of those graphics often uses measures crowd volume with the highest level being "garden level" LOL. seriously?? total gimmick.

not a flame, i just respectfully disagree based on my experience and perception of what my surroundings were and what was causing human emotion.

 

[Max]

I really don't miss hockey any more, the NHL has pretty much lost this fan due to all the bickering and general foolishness. And this is from a guy who used to stack two TV's and simultaneously watch the Bruins on 38 (on the antenna) and Hockey Night In Canada on cable. It's a wonder my marriage survived!

I don't even want to get started about hockey (or any team sport for that matter) in the Olympics. All team-type events should be eliminated. I can't stand the jingoism that revolves around the "USA, USA, USA" chants.

 

[riverc0il]

I can't stand the jingoism that revolves around the "USA, USA, USA" chants.

fully in agreement on that one.

 

[SilentCal]

I went to a Habs-Bruins game last year just before the playoffs. First time ever in the Fleet Center for a game but I did attend three of the same game in the old Garden. There was a definite difference I think. The Fleetcenter seemed stale, while the Garden had so much character and charm. But it's not just Boston. I think a lot of the newer stadiums are more revenue driven and take the charm out games. TV timeouts are a dumb idea and take away from the flow of a game.
I miss the NHL and with the local AHL team not even making the playoffs it sucks to not have a team to root for. I mean I can only watch so much of NESN replaying older games. But at least the Bruins go another year without the Cup. That pleases this Habs Fan.