Hello N.Y. and everywhere else, welcome to the Birdcage. It is with great pleasure I pen this article.

Perhaps the single greatest piece of news to arrive here at Hockeybird since the discussion of this lockout began is in fact the decision by the NHL not to use replacement players this coming season. Let me repeat that, the NHL has decided not to use replacement players.

Oh yes, the hockey gods have heard our collective prayers and responded favorably.

This news is good for us, the hardcore fans on so many different levels. Let's take a few minutes to explore why this news is one notch below the expected announcement that a deal has been cut and the NHL will resume play. Wait, I don't mean to infer that this news means a deal is imminent. What I mean is that short of that announcement if it ever comes, this news is the best thing we've heard in quite some time.

I have tried to point out that the NHL owners along with Gary Bettman have been taking us, the hardcore hockey fans for granted.....way too long. I think it's fair to say that they believed that we would accept a lost season, silly rules changes, even higher ticket prices in exchange for the return of our game. It's my opinion that some if not all the owners really thought that we'd even accept replacement players as long as we had games to watch. We the people, the very ones who gladly hand over large sums of money would just take whatever they wanted to feed us. Well, some of us vocalized our objections to being taken for granted. Whether it was articles on websites like this one or season ticket holders invited to focus groups by NHL teams, some of us made it clear that enough is enough.

You see, we are the ones who ultimately finance this game. All that money that the two sides can't figure out how to divide.....that's our money. While it's true that the fans are not part of the negotiations, finally our voices have been heard. If true, the Toronto Maple Leafs should be applauded for it's decision not to field replacements. In fact any of the teams who told Mr. Bettman that they too have no interest in replacements should be applauded too. Now, don't get me wrong. This decision does not mean that the owners have suddenly realized that us fans are so damned important. The bean counters analyzed the data and found that money would be lost, that's the real motivation behind this decision. I'm fine with that. We still can feel good about making our thoughts heard.

So, the threat of replacements is now off the table. One could assume that the NHLPA after celebrating with the dance of joy can now dictate the rest of the negotiating process. Not so fast guys. We still have no deal. I believe it's in the NHLPA's best interest not to try and take advantage here. They should move forward for us fans and the good of the game because it's the right thing to do.

If you think like me then you'd agree that Gary Bettman used the threat of replacements as a negotiating ploy. It's failed. Now just how much of the other crap being issued by the NHL is also a ploy? Is it possible that all of this could have been avoided had the NHL tried to negotiate in good faith? You bet yer ass. But I digress.....

Assume for a second that this decision was reached because more that just the Leafs voiced the opinion that they wouldn't field replacements. Could this be the only subject of dissent? I think not. I see this as a sign that at least some of the owners have had enough of the stupid poker game here and want an end to the lockout. This is of course good for us. It is also bad for Mr. Bettman. He has not delivered to the owners what he's promised and will now (I hope) come to an agreement with the NHLPA. Upon reaching this agreement the owners will see that the lockout could have been much shorter if not avoided all together. I'd expect Donald Trump to make a cameo and say, "You're Fired". Bye bye Bettman, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Keep in mind, I'm still annoyed by some of the changes to the game I have read about. These proposed changes are an attempt to make the game more popular here in the US. The more popular the game, the more money for owners and players. Fair enough. But if these proposed changes make the game acceptable to those who currently don't like it, how will they effect those of us who are die hards? I am against changes to this great sport that "dumb down" the game in an attempt to attract more fans. If you don't already love this great sport, skin tight uniforms or a few more goals won't bring you in. In fact it might do more damage than good. But I guess that's a discussion for another day, let's get a deal done and our game back first.

Let's review....

No Replacements: Good
Possible resumption of serious negotiations without phony ploys: Good
NHLPA gloating and taking advantage: Bad
Possible firing of Gary Bettman: Good
Us fans getting what we want: Priceless

Let us pray to the hockey gods that a deal gets done, a draft takes place (with Crosby coming to NY) and that the NY Rangers make the playoffs......someday.

Until then, Let's Go Pack!

----}- Bird

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