By Andrew Allsman| Posted: January 7, 2012| Contact |
The lockout that wiped out nearly half of the 2012-13 season has come to an end. The NHL enacted the lockout on Sept. 15, and it took 113 more days to reach an agreement. Several Blues players took to the ice at Hardee’s Ice Plex in Chesterfield Sunday evening to get in some practice before training camp begins. The players that were in St. Louis included: Brian Elliott, T.J. Oshie, Andy McDonald, Alex Pietrangelo, and David Backes.
None of those players were present in New York Sunday morning when the deal was tentatively agreed upon, but all found out in a similar way.
“I woke up and checked
my phone; had a bunch of text messages and knew something was up, said
McDonald. When I went to bed last night I knew they were close and figured late
last night or today we would have a deal.”
T.J. Oshie said he had
more than 20 text messages congratulating him.
“I’m excited, a little
nervous to get out there, but definitely excited. I think of it as being like
Christmas day when you’re ten years old. You’re so
excited; you've waited so long for it to get here. It’s been tough on
everyone, especially the fans that have been waiting for this to happen. It’s
great that it is all over and that we can get back to playing the game we
love.”
Multiple reports
indicate that the players will have to wait until at least the weekend for
training camp to open, but after waiting more than three months to get back on
the ice, the wait is nothing. Upon hearing the news that the lockout had ended,
players immediately upped their workouts, in anticipation for training camp.
“I’m more motivated
today for sure, said McDonald. No one knows the exact date of when camp will
get started, but it is going to be soon. Guys are excited. It’s been really
frustrating at times, but we are really glad it is over and we are really
looking forward to getting going.”
“Sunday's practice was a
little more up-tempo, said Backes. There was a sense of: we have to get ready
for the season, and hopefully we are ready for opening night, whenever that
is.”
The Blues are looking to
build upon their 109-point season under Jack Adams Award-winning coach Ken
Hitchcock. Teams are waiting to find out their schedule, and how many games
they will be playing. Some reports indicate that if a deal is ratified quickly
that as many as 50 games could be played; others say 48 games is the more
likely number. Regardless, the shortened season is expected to be intense, with
each point worth even more than what it is in an 82-game season.
“Each game is going to
have that playoff-type atmosphere, said Backes. We always said two points are
huge with an 82-game season, and those two points are going to be even bigger
in a 50-game season.”
Players are anxious to
get going, especially after coming so close to seeing another season cancelled
due to a work stoppage. Progress was halted late last week when sides had a
disagreement on the language of hockey-related revenue (HRR). A federal
mediator stepped in to get the sides back to the table. There were a few
players that spent much of last week in New York trying to reach a deal with
the owners according to McDonald.
“Guys like Jamal Mayers,
Shane Doan, Marty St. Louis, Mathieu Darche, were there most of the week
grinding it out; a deal doesn’t get done without guys like that that are
willing to sacrifice time with their families, and the whole membership
appreciates their effort.”
Both McDonald and Backes
were commonly found in New York representing the union in talks. Both elected
to stay in North America, and both were well informed about the negotiations.
The players were able to get a much better deal than what was expected, but the
most important question is: how will fans respond? Many were angered by the
process, but on Sunday, social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook were
filled with posts from overjoyed fans who were just happy to see the game
return.
“It’s still surreal that
it has been such a roller coaster of ups and downs, said Backes. It’s been a
road of trials and tribulations. It’s great to be back, and to potentially have
a 50-game season ahead of us. We are going to have a great product on the ice.
The fans deserve the game on the ice, and hopefully we still have a full building.
All of those fans deserve a lot of credit for sticking with us through the
business side, the ugly side of the sport.”
Added Mcdonald:
“It is certainly
understandable (that fans are angry). Look how well the league did last year.
Revenue has gone up, so has players’ salaries. It’s understandable that they
are angry that half the season is cancelled. It is expected. It’s our job now
to try and win them back, and the best way to do that is to put a great product
out on the ice. In St. Louis I personally think the response has been pretty
positive. The fans have always been very supportive here. They’re excited. We
have to appreciate that because frustration is expected.”
The new CBA is ten years
in length with the option to ‘opt-out after eight seasons. The players are
hoping that this past lockout is the last, and that stability can be formed in
a league that has been lockout-prone since commissioner Gary Bettman took over
20 years ago.
“With a ten-year deal we
hopefully don’t have to see this again for awhile, said McDonald. Hopefully the
game will grow; grow with more fans, and everyone will continue to love the
sport.”
“We have 8-10 years of
peace. Baseball has it figured out. They tweak the system, nobody looks for
these drastic changes, said Backes. You don’t end up with labor stoppages and
time lost, and momentum lost. You see other sports that are ahead of ‘the
hockey-curve’ because they haven’t had these extended stoppages. First we have
to work to get fans back and let them know that we haven’t forgotten about
them, and we appreciate their support.”
The Blues are expected
to have a brief training camp (7-10 days) starting within the next week. The
Blues aren't worried about camp being short, and welcome the
challenge. Until then the Blues are working on their conditioning, and getting
back into 'hockey-shape'. Some of the Blues' players haven't played in
an organised game since May.
“Typically for an
in-season practice we are focused on what broke down, improving our power play,
our defensive game, etc. Here we are trying to stay in shape, and keep our
hands and minds going,” said Oshie. "(Training camp) is going to be hard,
and I’m hoping it is. We want to be ready for that first game; for that first
drop of the puck.”
Fans are ready for that
'first drop of the puck' as well.
Quotes taken from KTRS, and David Solomon.