Three of the most recent inductees into the
Hockey Hall of Fame can’t help but reflect on the lockout
By Tyler Piccotti
 |
| (AP Photo) |
On Monday, four of
the best players in NHL history were honored in Toronto. Joe Sakic, Mats
Sundin, Adam Oates, and Pavel Bure were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
amidst the failed negotiations and apparent discord between the league and the
NHLPA. These four were honored for their outstanding accomplishments and their
contributions to the game of hockey. One would expect such a ceremony to be a
joyful occasion.
Surprisingly,
however, there was an inescapable feeling of discouragement brought on by the
current labor dispute.
As ESPN.com
reported, Sakic could not help noticing something on his new plaque. Lodged
between his 20 years of service in the NHL was the 2004-2005 labor dispute, one
that cost him another year on the ice.
“ I lost a year of
hockey,” Sakic said. “It would have been 21 years instead of 20. That’s what
you lose.”
Sundin had his own
lockout demons to expunge. The former Maple Leafs star commented on the Stanley
Cup Playoffs that never occurred. He felt as though he and his teammates had
been denied of a legitimate chance to win the Cup during the same locked-out
season. He didn’t need many words to convey his feelings either.
“It was awful,” he
said. “I think it’s devastating.”
Wait a second… I
thought this was an induction ceremony for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Why is
everyone acting like the world’s supply of hockey pucks ran out?
Once again, you can
blame the current lockout. It was also the reason why Toronto native Adam Oates
missed out on being honored at the Air Canada Centre prior to a Devils-Maple
Leafs matchup the previous Friday. By the way, he is supposed to be coaching
the Washington Capitals at the moment as well. Ironically, his last season was
the 2003-2004 campaign, the one prior to the locked out season.
As the reactions of
these three hockey greats illustrate, the current dispute is a hard hit even for
those retired from the league. Both Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr were on hand
for the ceremony. Being the league commissioner, Bettman gave a speech in which
he referred to the current negotiations as “difficult times.”
Yes, even during a ceremony honoring some of
the game’s legends, Bettman could not escape the stigma of the current dispute.
There’s a problem
here. Even receiving a plaque in the Hockey Hall of Fame has lost its luster.
Fans are already frustrated. Now the players are starting to feel the same way.
I can’t help but think the game is headed down a dark path as the lockout drags
on. It has become a stinging wound for fans and players alike. If you don’t
believe me, then maybe you’ll believe Joe Sakic.
“It hurts the
players, it hurts the owners, it hurts the fans, and it hurts the game.”
I feel your pain,
Joe. We all do.
