http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/2003/all_star/news/2003/02/01/roenick_ap/ The main problem with the economics in the NHL is not that hockey has overexpanded and is playing in non-traditional markets. The root of the problem in the NHL's economic structure, is that owners who have willingly paid salaries that are over stretch the budget. This is interesting to see a few of the Stars in the NHL stating that the players need to make sacrifices. Has this ever happened before in professional sports regarding in labor tension? Call me crazy, but I think that the owners and players might just come to an agreement, avoiding a stoppage of play in the next few seasons.
That would be nice. But I remember an interview with Marco Sturm, someone who was very much liked by the former owner (Gund?) because of his modesty, before this season, in which he stated that a strike one or two seasons is inevitable. Don't know if he spoke for himself or the players in general, but IMO that's crazy. I'm a confessing capitalist, but if there's a declining league then it's absolutely crazy when the guys even demand more money; especially given that no player in the league is poor.