Manny Legace Spouts Off

The latest NHLPA member to bash NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is our very own Manny Legace, Red Wings' backup goaltender and union representative. Like most players and fans, Manny is doubtful that there will be a 2004-2005 NHL season. And once the NHL officially cancels the season, Legace will head to Europe to play hockey. Says Legace:

"There's not going to be any hockey. It's a joke. The league doesn't want to negotiate. It doesn't look as if we're going to have a season. We've given them [the owners] offers, they've said no and they haven't come back [with any counteroffers]. All he [Bettman] talks about is salary cap, salary cap. He does not want to negotiate...Fans aren't going to pay to watch the Grand Rapids Griffins and [Chicago] Wolves [of the American Hockey League] play in NHL uniforms."

I agree with Legace that the fans will reject the notion of using replacement, or scab, players if the lockout extends into the 2005-2006 season. The fans are smart enough to realize that shifting players from the minors to the big leagues and packaging it as NHL hockey is simply fraud.