NHL to not make teams protected player lists public for upcoming expansion draft

[indes]

Originally Posted by Weitz

It's hilarious how fragile NHL players must be that GM's are concerned of hurt feelings.

Agreed, these guys know they are entertainers right?

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by indes

Agreed, these guys know they are entertainers right?

Making millions of dollars playing a damn game.

But the NHL is SERIOUS BUSINESS. Since it's turning into a league of robots, feelings shouldn't be of a concern.

[Kenta]

Not being transparent will just create wide-spread speculation and the hurt feelings they are trying to avoid will be caused falsely instead of realistically. So ultimately what they seek to avoid will likely cause more issues than if they were simply forthcoming.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

Good.

Maintaining positive GM-player relationships and not affecting GM-GM leverage >>> wants of whiny fans.

Now we can expose Brouwer without embarrassing him (unless he gets picked of course).

I think there's a bigger risk of that since these lists will undoubtedly get leaked, so some players will have their names out there as not being protected anyway. If all players unprotected was released at once, then they shouldn't feel embarrassed. Especially considering majority of players are going to be exposed anyway, since it's a limited amount you can protect in the first place.

And besides, this is the fricken NHL. Your name is gonna be in the media. Deal with it.

[Jiggy_12]

Never expected this to be made public. Surprised so many here did.

[Trojan97]

Guess waivers should no longer be made public either. Embarrasing to the players involved.

[Stud_McCool]

Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, I suppose.

[Finger Cookin]

I'm sure the lists will leak out anyway - maybe not the complete lists, but I bet journalists will at least have "player A was selected from team A when player B and C were also available" type info.

[May 25, 1989]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

The conversations might be awkward, but they shouldn't be shameful. There are only so many protected spots. A guy might be left unprotected due to salary, age, depth at that position, whatever. It is all business.

I think for the fans, it would be great to have the list. Mock drafts, trade speculation and all of that is fun.

Martin St Louis demanded a trade because his own GM didn't initially pick him for team Canada which is one of the hardest to make in the world. Hockey players can be fickle. I can understand why GMs don't want these known.

*Nevermind, I should read entire thread, point already made*

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Beatle17

I am sure that the NHLPA negotiated that these are released so they can use them when trying to get players who are RFA or UFA more money. I don't think the league or GM's wanted the numbers out.

IIRC, the NHLPA went public with salary numbers back in about 1991 so that players would have full information about their market value. The double-digit annual escalation in salaries began immediately thereafter, as a lot of star players were surprised to find that they weren't being paid much more than scrubs and journeymen. The PA did this without the league's participation or consent.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, I suppose.

"Whomever the rest of the NHL exposes to Vegas, stays in Vegas."

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Weitz

It's hilarious how fragile NHL players must be that GM's are concerned of hurt feelings.

Originally Posted by indes

Agreed, these guys know they are entertainers right?

I think it's fair to say that the passion, emotion and general "care level" it takes to be fans of these "entertainers" and spend years commenting on a message board about them, is about 1/10000th (at most) the same passion, emotion and general "care level" these "entertainers" have for their own job.

Think of it simply: Would you be completely unphased in any way by your boss releasing a list that included employees they couldn't stand losing vs. employees they'd be fine with losing? If you were on the "wouldn't mind losing" list while a guy who think you're better than is on the keeper list, you wouldn't care?

I would, and anyone who says being told they're not valued that much at work wouldn't affect them is lying, or hasn't an ounce of pride.

Funny that some fans buy jerseys and cheer for teams but expect the players to be emotionless soldiers.

Though, Weitz is an Oilers fan right? I guess they'd be used to cheering for a team where everyone is dead inside.

[Erick Estrada]

Lol there's only on North American professional sports league that operates this way and that's the CFL. Bravo NHL for dropping to CFL levels.

[Strange Brew]

You can't claim pro athletes have regular jobs. Most people I know can't be drafted, traded, waived, sent to the farm or bought out. Undoubtedly it affects a player when these things happen and no one is saying they would be "completely unphased".

But pro sports exists because fans are willing to shell out big bucks in support of it. The last NFL expansion draft was televised live and the available players were known. It creates interest in the league and satisfies demand of the fans.

It is a strange decision IMO and takes some interest out of the draft. I suppose they will "classify" any trades pertaining to the draft as well, in case they might shed light on who would have been available.

[edn88]

I hadn't considered that they might not publish the protected lists (thought it would be a made for TV event so you would have to know).

Of course the media and fans want to know the protected list, but makes sense that GMs would not want to publish the lists. Great example - if Brouwer was exposed and not selected, makes it easier on the team. Probably even prevents the us/them of the protected, not protected.

[indes]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I think it's fair to say that the passion, emotion and general "care level" it takes to be fans of these "entertainers" and spend years commenting on a message board about them, is about 1/10000th (at most) the same passion, emotion and general "care level" these "entertainers" have for their own job.

Think of it simply: Would you be completely unphased in any way by your boss releasing a list that included employees they couldn't stand losing vs. employees they'd be fine with losing? If you were on the "wouldn't mind losing" list while a guy who think you're better than is on the keeper list, you wouldn't care?

I would, and anyone who says being told they're not valued that much at work wouldn't affect them is lying, or hasn't an ounce of pride.

Funny that some fans buy jerseys and cheer for teams but expect the players to be emotionless soldiers.

Though, Weitz is an Oilers fan right? I guess they'd be used to cheering for a team where everyone is dead inside.

I guess you must believe the players are morons as well? These guys are more than aware of who's at risk of being exposed. Literally their whole careers they've been surrounded by people being sent down, signed or traded. I have a hard time believing a player would be disappointed for more than 15 minutes before accepting their new fate and getting ready for their new challenge. I didn't realize we had to treat these grown men and professional athletes with kid gloves.

[puffnstuff]

If LV signs a guy in their early FA window and that would count as the player selected from that team (I think thats how it works, please correct me if I'm wrong here...but nicely, I have feelings) then that teams list should never have to become public, correct?

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yeah I'm with you, this is not only expected but a good thing. Who cares?

Its an absurd decision and I can't even understand why anyone would support it.

You may not care, but people would care. It would get people discussing and talking about the league and get fans primed for an event. Its an entertainment business. Its a brutal decision.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by indes

I guess you must believe the players are morons as well? These guys are more than aware of who's at risk of being exposed. Literally their whole careers they've been surrounded by people being sent down, signed or traded. I have a hard time believing a player would be disappointed for more than 15 minutes before accepting their new fate and getting ready for their new challenge. I didn't realize we had to treat these grown men and professional athletes with kid gloves.

No, why would I believe they're morons? What are you talking about?

It's unlikely that Kulak thinks he's getting protected, for instance, but very possible Brouwer thinks he'll be protected. Say he finds out he isn't protected (they protect Lazar, for example), but Vegas doesn't choose him. Now you've got a potentially damaged relationship where, right or wrong, a veteran player gets a reality check he may not have expected. He did just sign a long term deal.

But sure, "kid gloves, grown men" and other fake macho nonsense.

[browna]

Likely the PA on side with this, and, also guessing players or their agents know if their player is on the list.

But "journalists" looking to create stories by shoving microphones in the faces of players who may be on the list and may or very well may likely not get chosen, seems to add zero value outside of keeping the sensationlists in the media occupied and turning things into a circus and stirring the pot needlessly.

That would occur from the time the lists are submitted to the draft,and then even after the draft and in training camp when they shove the same mics into players and ask how they feel now that the team that left them unprotected is "stuck" with them.

Not sure where any entertainment value is in that for anyone.