Post by swervinmervin on Aug 13, 2012 7:49:39 GMT -5
You almost feel sorry for Gary Bettman.
I did say “almost”.
Here’s Gary, together with his longstanding “Bridge” partner Bill Daly, facing Donald Fehr and his NHL player companion across the table.
Think of it as a cross between the game of Bridge, and the “Hunger Games”. In this version, Gary’s bosses did the bidding, and got Gary and Bill a game of “3 no trump” for them to play out. But their bosses had already made sure that they had dealt all the aces to Don Fehr.
Neither Gary nor Bill will ever be mistaken for Katniss or Peeta. But they can be fairly crafty. Problem is, Gary’s looking at his cards, and wondering how he’s going to win enough tricks to declare this hand a victory.
“Cry poor” their bosses said. Say that our weaker districts (teams) need to have lower prices for their players, so that they can make ends meet.
Then their bosses offered deals to players for 10 years or more, and $100 million or so. What’s a few million anyway?
The “small market” Wild pay 2 players almost $200 million? Ace of hearts and ace of diamonds to Don.
The “southern footprint” Hurricanes acquire players with millions of dollars in contracts? Ace of clubs and king of clubs to Don.
Gary’s unfolding his cards and trying not to wince. What about spades? Will he have even just one ace?
Gary’s trusted boss – the one that he thought would make sure that he was protected in these hunger games – makes an offer sheet for Shea Weber for the “district 12” Nashville Predators, in what might be the most bonus laden, front-end loaded $100 million contract in NHL history. They force the darlings of Gary’s southern territories to cough up most of the $100 million within the first years of the contract. It is an aggressive, “predatory” action. The pred’s match it, and agree to pay the king’s ransom to keep their champion, Weber.
Says Gary’s boss, “Oh yeah, sorry, we’re supposed to be poor, right?”
Ace and king of spades to Don.
At this point, Gary has counted his “winning tricks”. Now he knows that this round isn’t about winning anymore. It’s about keeping the bonus points for his rival as low as possible.
Maybe that’s why Don seems to be smiling all the time. And Gary….well, Gary’s just staring at his cards, over and over and over again.
Swervinmervin
@justgotupndjava
During the day (and after my coffee), my nickname is Geoff Brookes.
I did say “almost”.
Here’s Gary, together with his longstanding “Bridge” partner Bill Daly, facing Donald Fehr and his NHL player companion across the table.
Think of it as a cross between the game of Bridge, and the “Hunger Games”. In this version, Gary’s bosses did the bidding, and got Gary and Bill a game of “3 no trump” for them to play out. But their bosses had already made sure that they had dealt all the aces to Don Fehr.
Neither Gary nor Bill will ever be mistaken for Katniss or Peeta. But they can be fairly crafty. Problem is, Gary’s looking at his cards, and wondering how he’s going to win enough tricks to declare this hand a victory.
“Cry poor” their bosses said. Say that our weaker districts (teams) need to have lower prices for their players, so that they can make ends meet.
Then their bosses offered deals to players for 10 years or more, and $100 million or so. What’s a few million anyway?
The “small market” Wild pay 2 players almost $200 million? Ace of hearts and ace of diamonds to Don.
The “southern footprint” Hurricanes acquire players with millions of dollars in contracts? Ace of clubs and king of clubs to Don.
Gary’s unfolding his cards and trying not to wince. What about spades? Will he have even just one ace?
Gary’s trusted boss – the one that he thought would make sure that he was protected in these hunger games – makes an offer sheet for Shea Weber for the “district 12” Nashville Predators, in what might be the most bonus laden, front-end loaded $100 million contract in NHL history. They force the darlings of Gary’s southern territories to cough up most of the $100 million within the first years of the contract. It is an aggressive, “predatory” action. The pred’s match it, and agree to pay the king’s ransom to keep their champion, Weber.
Says Gary’s boss, “Oh yeah, sorry, we’re supposed to be poor, right?”
Ace and king of spades to Don.
At this point, Gary has counted his “winning tricks”. Now he knows that this round isn’t about winning anymore. It’s about keeping the bonus points for his rival as low as possible.
Maybe that’s why Don seems to be smiling all the time. And Gary….well, Gary’s just staring at his cards, over and over and over again.
Swervinmervin
@justgotupndjava
During the day (and after my coffee), my nickname is Geoff Brookes.