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CaptainCrunch · 06-12-2024, 06:25 PM

1994-95

The NHL faced the real possibility that labour unrest could force the cancellation of the entire NHL season. Despite weeks of negotiations, the NHLPA and the NHL owners couldn't reach a new collective bargaining agreement ahead of the season. Consequently after the completion of the exhibition season on Oct 1, 1994, the owners locked out the players and decided to wait for agreement.

Both sides remained at a standstill, they both threatened with terms like "Final offer", and "This is really the final offer", but both sides were far apart.

The pressing issues were around free agency, salary arbitration, entry level salaries, the entry draft and revenue sharing.

The NHL had gone through labour strife before, in 1992 the players went on a 10 day strike and threatened the playoffs. The league settled but responded by replacing John Ziegler with Gary Bettman.

Bettman had come over from the NBA, he was a rising star and was young and aggressive, his mandate was expansion into new markets, a new American TV deal, aggressive growth and lasting labour peace (under the owners terms).

The owners wanted a salary cap, even though they refused to call it that, describing it as a tax plan. The players under Bob Goodenow. weren't really interested in that, they wanted a planned revenue sharing program instead to bolster the small market teams. With the rapidly increasing salaries and expenses, and the growing divide between the small and large market teams, and Canadian teams working with a less valuable looney, the owners wanted a hard line stance from Bettman and were willing to risk the season for it.

But there were risks for the Owners as well, with MLB baseball on strike, and the buzz generated by the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup, the league couldn't afford to lose the season.

Meanwhile with no end in sight, the players began to go back to junior hockey, or flee to Europe to stay sharp, this caused bitterness between players as some players who didn't get invited to other leagues started to wonder if they were part of the same union.

As the lockout dragged on talk of "Caps" and "Luxury taxes" began to fade, the Owners began to fracture as the large market wealth teams began to wonder why they needed to stick their necks out to the small market teams. These owners began to push for a rookie cap, loosened salary arbitration and even loser free agency. Small market teams, and Canadian teams were basically abandoned.

The Owners blinked first, and the pressure on Bettman was enormous, his hope that the players missing paychecks would buckle didn't occur, instead the fear of losing the whole season was too much for the owners to bear.

The owners got their minor concessions with a rookie salary cap, and changes to the arbitration system, but there was no luxury tax, and no salary cap. With the loser free agent rules, the salary growth that had bought on this whole lockout would accelerate, which eventually led to Winnipeg and Quebec leaving Canada, and Calgary and Edmonton almost losing their franchise until the league stepped in with a stabilization fund.

Since half the season had been wiped out and the schedule reduced to 48 games, Flames Captain Joe Nieuwendyk summed up the situation best "WE lost, they lost, the fans lost".

While much of the attention of the shortened season focused on the rising Red Wings and the the troubles with the Rangers, everyone ignored the New Jersey Devils, who under genius coach Jaques Lemaire, who improved the left wing lock and bought in the dead puck era. In 1994 the Devils came within an overtime of reaching the finals, in 1995 Lemaire perfected the Neutral zone trap which became one of the most debated defensive systems in history.

Instead of focusing on the lack of offensive prowess on the Devils, Lemaire focused on the teams strengths. Hard working forwards, smart mobile defensemen and one of the best young goalies in hockey in Martin Brodeur.

During the regular season, the Devils refined their system and the Devils finished a mere 4 games over .500, and took the 5th seed in the east.

Lemaire was certain his system would pay off in the playoffs where the refs put their whistles away unless one player murdered another on the ice. He was right.

Claude Smythe winner and pest Claude Lemieux was given the job of shadowing the leagues top forwards through the playoffs and he shut down a hall of fame roster of players including Cam Neely, Jaromir Jagr, Eric Lindros and Keith Primeau. Lemeuix outscored them all 13-7 in 20 playoff games.

The Devils smothered everyone including Scotty Bowman's high flying Wings. The Devils killed the flow of the game, and swept the Wings outscoring them 16-7. the Devils had won their first cup in their 21 year history.

For Bettman, the 1994-95 season and the collapse of the Owners during the lockout forced him to re-evaluate, and he began to play for the next labour crisis that he knew would be coming in 10 years.

He would have the consensus of a unified group of owners, he would deliver a salary cap, and preferably the head of Bob Goodenow on his wall.

Trivia

Citing fatigue and the inability and the inability to play up to his standards, Mario Lemieux decides to sit out the 1994-95 season.
The NHL Hall of Fame inducts three, Lionel "Big Train" Conacher, Harry Watson and executive Brian O'Neil.
Already a staple of two cable TV networks. (ESPN and ESPN 2) the NHL signs an exclusive TV deal with Fox Sports.
NHL Entry Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_NHL_Entry_Draft
After 12 years in Calgary Al MacInnis is traded to St Louis for Phil Housley.
A month after coaching the Rangers to the Stanley Cup, Iron Mike Keenan jumps to St Louis. The league suspends Keenan for 60 days and fights him $100,000.
Without a collective bargaining agreement, the owners vote to lock the players out at the start of the regular season.
Negotiations between the Owners and players lasts til late January 1995, when a new agreement is signed.
On Feb 7th Pittsburgh's Joey Mullen becomes the first US born players to join the 1,000 point club.
On Feb 9th, the Flyers trade Mark Recchi to the Canadians for John LeClair, forming the Legion of Doom line with LeClair, Lindros and Mikael Renberg.
On March 8th Ranger's Steve Larmer notches an assist against the Devils to join the 1,000 point club.
In Minnesota, former North Star Bill Goldsworthy announces that he's suffering from AIDS.
On March 25th Scotty Bowman win's his 900th regular season game as Detroit beats Vancouver 2-1.
On April 17th, Wayne Gretzky gets his 2,500th career point in a loss to the Flames.
Detroit finishes first overall in the NHL for the first time since 1964-65.
In his first year as a Maple Leaf Center Mats Sundin leads the Leafs in goals with 23 and points with 47.
Winnipeg wastes a brilliant year of the Olympic Line of Alexi Zhamnov (65 points), Keith Tkachuk (51 points) and Teemu Selanne (48 points) as they miss the playoffs.
The Flames post a 24-17-7 record to finish first in the Pacific division as Theo Fleury leads the way with 29 goals.
The Nordiques finish first in the Eastern Conference as they are led by Joe Sakic's 62 points, and rookie Peter Forsbergs 50 points.
Eric Lindros powers the Flyers to first place in the Atlantic, by scoring 70 points, he loses the scoring title to Jaromir Jagr based on goals scored.
A year after winning the Cup, the Rangers struggle to a 22-23-3 record and barely make the playoffs.
In the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals The Rangers upset Quebec in 6, The Flyers beat down the Sabres in 5, Pittsburgh beats the Caps in 7, and New Jersey shells Boston in 5.
In the Western Conference Quarter Finals. Detroit beats Dallas in 5, San Jose upsets Calgary in 7, Vancouver upsets the Blues in 7 and Chicago top toes past the Leafs in 7.
In the Eastern Semi Finals, The Flyers mangle the Rangers in 4 and the Devils savage the Pens in 5.
In the Western Semi Finals, The Wings hook the Sharks in 5 and Chicago sweeps the Canucks.
In the Eastern Conference finals, the Devils and Flyers take turns winning on the road before the Devils win in 6.
In the Western Finals The Wings need just 5 games to beat the surprising Hawks.
In the Finals the Devils effectively snuff out the Red Wings offense winning game 1 and 2 in Detroit 2-1 and 4-2.
The Devils return to Jersey and finish off the Wings with a pair of 5-2 wins. The former Kansas City Scouts, Colorado Rockies and New Jersey Devils win their first cup.
Claude Lemieux wins the Conn Smythe with 13 goals 3 of them game winners.
Dominik Hasek wins his second straight Vezina.
Ron Francis of Pittsburgh wins the Frank Selke and the Lady Byng.
Detroit's Paul Coffey takes his third Norris Trophy.
Quebec rookie Peter Forsberg wins the Calder Trophy.
Eric Lindros wins both the Hart and Lester B. Pearson Award.
Boston College wins the NCAA title, with a win over Maine.
Kamloops romps to the Memorial Cup.
David Ling of the Frontenacs wins the CMJ Player of the year.
Brian Holzinger of Bowling Green wins the Hobey Baker award.
Quebec announces that they will be moving to Colorado for the start of the 1995-95 season.
Peter Karmanas purchases the Hartford Whalers.

First Game

Paul Kariya, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Cory Stillman, Calgary Flames
Eric Daze, Chicago Blackhawks
Jamie Langenbrunner, Dallas Stars
Manny Fernandez, Dallas Stars
Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers
Marek Malik, Hartford Whalers
Craig Conroy, Montreal Canadiens
Brian Rolston, New Jersey Devils
Tommy Salo, New York Islanders
Adam Deadmarsh, Quebec Nordiques
Peter Forsberg, Quebec Nordiques
Adrian Aucoin, Vancouver Canucks
Jim Carey, Washington Capitals
Sergei Gonchar, Washington Capitals
Nikolai Khabibulin, Winnipeg Jets

Last Game

Mats Naslund, Boston Bruins
Craig Simpson, Buffalo Sabres
Jim Peplinski, Calgary Flames
Dirk Graham, Chicago Blackhawks
Mark Howe, Detroit Red Wings
Mike Krushelnyski, Detroit Red Wings
Kent Nilsson, Edmonton Oilers (Last active player to have been a member of the Atlanta Flames)
Gaetan Duchesne, Florida Panthers
Steve Larmer, New York Rangers
Peter Stastny, St. Louis Blues
Gerard Gallant, Tampa Bay Lightning
Dave Poulin, Washington Capitals
Thomas Steen, Winnipeg Jets

06-12-2024, 06:25 PM	#213
CaptainCrunch Norm! Join Date: Jun 2002 Exp:	1994-95 The NHL faced the real possibility that labour unrest could force the cancellation of the entire NHL season. Despite weeks of negotiations, the NHLPA and the NHL owners couldn't reach a new collective bargaining agreement ahead of the season. Consequently after the completion of the exhibition season on Oct 1, 1994, the owners locked out the players and decided to wait for agreement. Both sides remained at a standstill, they both threatened with terms like "Final offer", and "This is really the final offer", but both sides were far apart. The pressing issues were around free agency, salary arbitration, entry level salaries, the entry draft and revenue sharing. The NHL had gone through labour strife before, in 1992 the players went on a 10 day strike and threatened the playoffs. The league settled but responded by replacing John Ziegler with Gary Bettman. Bettman had come over from the NBA, he was a rising star and was young and aggressive, his mandate was expansion into new markets, a new American TV deal, aggressive growth and lasting labour peace (under the owners terms). The owners wanted a salary cap, even though they refused to call it that, describing it as a tax plan. The players under Bob Goodenow. weren't really interested in that, they wanted a planned revenue sharing program instead to bolster the small market teams. With the rapidly increasing salaries and expenses, and the growing divide between the small and large market teams, and Canadian teams working with a less valuable looney, the owners wanted a hard line stance from Bettman and were willing to risk the season for it. But there were risks for the Owners as well, with MLB baseball on strike, and the buzz generated by the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup, the league couldn't afford to lose the season. Meanwhile with no end in sight, the players began to go back to junior hockey, or flee to Europe to stay sharp, this caused bitterness between players as some players who didn't get invited to other leagues started to wonder if they were part of the same union. As the lockout dragged on talk of "Caps" and "Luxury taxes" began to fade, the Owners began to fracture as the large market wealth teams began to wonder why they needed to stick their necks out to the small market teams. These owners began to push for a rookie cap, loosened salary arbitration and even loser free agency. Small market teams, and Canadian teams were basically abandoned. The Owners blinked first, and the pressure on Bettman was enormous, his hope that the players missing paychecks would buckle didn't occur, instead the fear of losing the whole season was too much for the owners to bear. The owners got their minor concessions with a rookie salary cap, and changes to the arbitration system, but there was no luxury tax, and no salary cap. With the loser free agent rules, the salary growth that had bought on this whole lockout would accelerate, which eventually led to Winnipeg and Quebec leaving Canada, and Calgary and Edmonton almost losing their franchise until the league stepped in with a stabilization fund. Since half the season had been wiped out and the schedule reduced to 48 games, Flames Captain Joe Nieuwendyk summed up the situation best "WE lost, they lost, the fans lost". While much of the attention of the shortened season focused on the rising Red Wings and the the troubles with the Rangers, everyone ignored the New Jersey Devils, who under genius coach Jaques Lemaire, who improved the left wing lock and bought in the dead puck era. In 1994 the Devils came within an overtime of reaching the finals, in 1995 Lemaire perfected the Neutral zone trap which became one of the most debated defensive systems in history. Instead of focusing on the lack of offensive prowess on the Devils, Lemaire focused on the teams strengths. Hard working forwards, smart mobile defensemen and one of the best young goalies in hockey in Martin Brodeur. During the regular season, the Devils refined their system and the Devils finished a mere 4 games over .500, and took the 5th seed in the east. Lemaire was certain his system would pay off in the playoffs where the refs put their whistles away unless one player murdered another on the ice. He was right. Claude Smythe winner and pest Claude Lemieux was given the job of shadowing the leagues top forwards through the playoffs and he shut down a hall of fame roster of players including Cam Neely, Jaromir Jagr, Eric Lindros and Keith Primeau. Lemeuix outscored them all 13-7 in 20 playoff games. The Devils smothered everyone including Scotty Bowman's high flying Wings. The Devils killed the flow of the game, and swept the Wings outscoring them 16-7. the Devils had won their first cup in their 21 year history. For Bettman, the 1994-95 season and the collapse of the Owners during the lockout forced him to re-evaluate, and he began to play for the next labour crisis that he knew would be coming in 10 years. He would have the consensus of a unified group of owners, he would deliver a salary cap, and preferably the head of Bob Goodenow on his wall. Trivia Citing fatigue and the inability and the inability to play up to his standards, Mario Lemieux decides to sit out the 1994-95 season. The NHL Hall of Fame inducts three, Lionel "Big Train" Conacher, Harry Watson and executive Brian O'Neil. Already a staple of two cable TV networks. (ESPN and ESPN 2) the NHL signs an exclusive TV deal with Fox Sports. NHL Entry Draft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_NHL_Entry_Draft After 12 years in Calgary Al MacInnis is traded to St Louis for Phil Housley. A month after coaching the Rangers to the Stanley Cup, Iron Mike Keenan jumps to St Louis. The league suspends Keenan for 60 days and fights him $100,000. Without a collective bargaining agreement, the owners vote to lock the players out at the start of the regular season. Negotiations between the Owners and players lasts til late January 1995, when a new agreement is signed. On Feb 7th Pittsburgh's Joey Mullen becomes the first US born players to join the 1,000 point club. On Feb 9th, the Flyers trade Mark Recchi to the Canadians for John LeClair, forming the Legion of Doom line with LeClair, Lindros and Mikael Renberg. On March 8th Ranger's Steve Larmer notches an assist against the Devils to join the 1,000 point club. In Minnesota, former North Star Bill Goldsworthy announces that he's suffering from AIDS. On March 25th Scotty Bowman win's his 900th regular season game as Detroit beats Vancouver 2-1. On April 17th, Wayne Gretzky gets his 2,500th career point in a loss to the Flames. Detroit finishes first overall in the NHL for the first time since 1964-65. In his first year as a Maple Leaf Center Mats Sundin leads the Leafs in goals with 23 and points with 47. Winnipeg wastes a brilliant year of the Olympic Line of Alexi Zhamnov (65 points), Keith Tkachuk (51 points) and Teemu Selanne (48 points) as they miss the playoffs. The Flames post a 24-17-7 record to finish first in the Pacific division as Theo Fleury leads the way with 29 goals. The Nordiques finish first in the Eastern Conference as they are led by Joe Sakic's 62 points, and rookie Peter Forsbergs 50 points. Eric Lindros powers the Flyers to first place in the Atlantic, by scoring 70 points, he loses the scoring title to Jaromir Jagr based on goals scored. A year after winning the Cup, the Rangers struggle to a 22-23-3 record and barely make the playoffs. In the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals The Rangers upset Quebec in 6, The Flyers beat down the Sabres in 5, Pittsburgh beats the Caps in 7, and New Jersey shells Boston in 5. In the Western Conference Quarter Finals. Detroit beats Dallas in 5, San Jose upsets Calgary in 7, Vancouver upsets the Blues in 7 and Chicago top toes past the Leafs in 7. In the Eastern Semi Finals, The Flyers mangle the Rangers in 4 and the Devils savage the Pens in 5. In the Western Semi Finals, The Wings hook the Sharks in 5 and Chicago sweeps the Canucks. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Devils and Flyers take turns winning on the road before the Devils win in 6. In the Western Finals The Wings need just 5 games to beat the surprising Hawks. In the Finals the Devils effectively snuff out the Red Wings offense winning game 1 and 2 in Detroit 2-1 and 4-2. The Devils return to Jersey and finish off the Wings with a pair of 5-2 wins. The former Kansas City Scouts, Colorado Rockies and New Jersey Devils win their first cup. Claude Lemieux wins the Conn Smythe with 13 goals 3 of them game winners. Dominik Hasek wins his second straight Vezina. Ron Francis of Pittsburgh wins the Frank Selke and the Lady Byng. Detroit's Paul Coffey takes his third Norris Trophy. Quebec rookie Peter Forsberg wins the Calder Trophy. Eric Lindros wins both the Hart and Lester B. Pearson Award. Boston College wins the NCAA title, with a win over Maine. Kamloops romps to the Memorial Cup. David Ling of the Frontenacs wins the CMJ Player of the year. Brian Holzinger of Bowling Green wins the Hobey Baker award. Quebec announces that they will be moving to Colorado for the start of the 1995-95 season. Peter Karmanas purchases the Hartford Whalers. First Game Paul Kariya, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Cory Stillman, Calgary Flames Eric Daze, Chicago Blackhawks Jamie Langenbrunner, Dallas Stars Manny Fernandez, Dallas Stars Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers Marek Malik, Hartford Whalers Craig Conroy, Montreal Canadiens Brian Rolston, New Jersey Devils Tommy Salo, New York Islanders Adam Deadmarsh, Quebec Nordiques Peter Forsberg, Quebec Nordiques Adrian Aucoin, Vancouver Canucks Jim Carey, Washington Capitals Sergei Gonchar, Washington Capitals Nikolai Khabibulin, Winnipeg Jets Last Game Mats Naslund, Boston Bruins Craig Simpson, Buffalo Sabres Jim Peplinski, Calgary Flames Dirk Graham, Chicago Blackhawks Mark Howe, Detroit Red Wings Mike Krushelnyski, Detroit Red Wings Kent Nilsson, Edmonton Oilers (Last active player to have been a member of the Atlanta Flames) Gaetan Duchesne, Florida Panthers Steve Larmer, New York Rangers Peter Stastny, St. Louis Blues Gerard Gallant, Tampa Bay Lightning Dave Poulin, Washington Capitals Thomas Steen, Winnipeg Jets YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video YouTube Video __________________ My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!