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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Sports The NHL Will Announce the 2013 Schedule This Saturday (Probably)

Posted by Megan Seling on Wed, Jan 9, 2013 at 3:27 PM

For the six hockey fans that read Slog: As expected, the NHL's Board of Governors ratified the terms of the new agreement, ending the long, stupid NHL lockout.

Commissioner Gary Bettman (boooooo!) says:

"To the players, who were very clear they wanted to be on the ice and not negotiating labor contracts; to our partners, who support the League financially and personally; and, most importantly, to our fans, who love and have missed NHL hockey, I am sorry," Commissioner Bettman said. "I know that an explanation or an apology will not erase the hard feelings that have built up over the past few months, but I owe you an apology nevertheless.

"The National Hockey League has a responsibility to earn back your trust and support whether you watch one game or every game, and that effort begins today," Commissioner Bettman later added. "The players are ready to play their hearts out for you. The teams are preparing to welcome you back with open arms. The wait is just about over. Like all of you, we can't wait to drop the puck."

NHL.com is also reporting that the NHL Player's Association will complete the ratification this Saturday, and Bettman says the schedule will be released "instantaneously" after that. Hurry! I have to start planning the next three months of my life!

In surprising news, the Toronto Maple Leafs have fired General Manager Brian Burke. Dave Nonis will replace him.

In stupid news, Cosmo has posted "The Hottest Players in the NHL 2013." "The opening sentence: Hockey players are about as rugged and manly as it gets—they’re big and buff, and they dole out body checks as often as we text our friends." Here is my official reaction to all that.

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Bettman also says he has no intention of stepping down. If he actually had any respect for hockey, and if he wanted to do what is best for hockey, he would immediately resign and disappear into the Canadian wilderness. He has presided over 3, THREE, lockouts. He will never ever be forgiven by the fans. Nor should he. The NHL needs to do some major groveling if it expects to get the fans back into the seats. This will go much faster if he is gone forever.

Posted by SeattleKim on January 9, 2013 at 3:36 PM

Not that I am bitter or anything.

Posted by SeattleKim on January 9, 2013 at 3:36 PM

I am proudly the seventh die-hard hockey fan who reads the SLOG! I love your hockey reporting. Keep it up. Eventually everyone will see how amazing the sport of ice hockey is.

Posted by teacherguy on January 9, 2013 at 3:58 PM

Can we just buy the Phoenix Coyotes already?

Posted by dhammy on January 9, 2013 at 4:02 PM

I've had my Buffalo Sabres logo as my icon on SLOG for years now, so I hope I'm one of the original six; see what I did there? Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to watching NHL hockey at the Angry Beaver.

Posted by nicholaus on January 9, 2013 at 4:07 PM

I can't wait for next year's Winter Classic at the Big House. Why? Because considering how loudly Bettman is booed at EVERY ARENA IN THE LEAGUE, imagine how beautiful it will sound at a venue full of 100,000 people.

Posted by Hannah in Portland on January 9, 2013 at 4:17 PM

Bettman is employed by the owners. I don't know if the NHL's commissioner is supposed to have the same independence and duty to work for the sport's best interest as other commissioners*, but Bettman has never conducted his job that way. He's always been the owners' lackey.

* "Supposed to" is the key phrase here.

Posted by Matt from Denver on January 9, 2013 at 4:18 PM

Just read the Flyers play the Pens in Philly on the 19th. THAT is an opener!

Bettman... So, so sorry he is, just ask him. "Greatest fans in sports"... My contempt for him knows no bounds. And that was just last season.

Posted by orange&black on January 9, 2013 at 4:21 PM

1. Thanks, Megan, for bravely posting about hockey on the slog in the face of slog-hate.
2. Screw you, Bettman! You're not sorry!
3. Hockey players (like many athletes and other physically fit people) are hot, Cosmo, but you're the worst.
4. Hi, other slog hockey fans! See you at the Angry Beaver!
5. Yay hockey!

Posted by aurora f on January 9, 2013 at 4:25 PM

@5, yeah. Saw what ya' did. Well played.

@9, yup! What are the kids saying these days? FTW.

FLYERS HOCKEY! ... sorry for so many caps. And if the Angry Beaver is showing the first Flyers game, I'll be the one berating the team I LOVE. I am a Flyers fan after all.

Posted by orange&black on January 9, 2013 at 4:42 PM

Keep up with the hockey love. I can't wait for the first puck drop at the Angry Beaver.

Posted by Gored Torso on January 9, 2013 at 4:55 PM

Wait, where's our NHL team?

Stupid cartel.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on January 9, 2013 at 5:14 PM

For the love of god why does Bettman still have a job?

Posted by A in B on January 9, 2013 at 6:17 PM

@1: "Disappear into the Canadian wilderness"?

Oh hell no. Bettman is all yours. Once he is finally exorcised from the NHL, I fully expect him to be named persona non grata up here. With a bounty on his head.

Don't try and foist him off on us.

Posted by Backyard Bombardier on January 9, 2013 at 6:49 PM

Seriously they're going to hold out on releasing the schedule until Saturday? Haven't we waited long enough? What is this bullshit?
Also, Bettman, stfu. We know you're not sorry. You're an asshat and you don't give two shits about the fans. Fuck you and all you stand for.

Let's go Pens! Let's go Pens! Let's go Pens!

Posted by moosefan on January 9, 2013 at 6:49 PM

@14, I suppose we could send him to Alaska, but Canada has so MUCH lovely wilderness. With polar bears. And freezing winters. So many places where he could just never be seen again. Think about it.

Posted by SeattleKim on January 10, 2013 at 9:02 AM