While Roman Hamrlik presented a surprising bit of brutal honesty to NHLPA head Donald Fehr, most players reacted to Wednesday’s talks with the usual angst and bitterness.
Veteran winger Martin St. Louis seemed a bit beaten down when discussing today’s developments with the St. Petersburg Times’ Damian Cristodero.
“Well, it’s disappointing,” St. Louis said. “I feel they’re trying to bully us and trying to draw a line in the sand pretty much. It’s tough. We want to be negotiating. We came their way again and nothing. They just keep telling us keep coming. They’re staying where they are, so you end up negotiating with yourself, and that’s definitely something we don’t want to do.”
While St. Louis channeled Eeyore, other players went on the offensive. Here’s a quick collection of the Twitter chatter:
Tough guy Brandon Prust’s bit:
Sheldon Souray wallowed in the AHL for a season because of CBA loopholes, so perhaps his bitterness makes sense.
Pretty cool of Gary to 👍"thank us"👍 and say he appreciates us giving up... A BILLION DOLLARS!!! #notreallyfeelingthelove #NHLPA
— Sheldon Souray (@SSouray) November 21, 2012
Mike Rupp references Wayne Gretzky’s critique of the New Jersey Devils:
"M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E" - The 3 other Major Sports #cmonsingalong
— Mike Rupp (@Rupper17) November 21, 2012
Meanwhile, Michael Del Zotto’s comments recycle old rhetoric:
Apologies to all the loyal, passionate fans out there. We clearly do not have a willing negotiating partner.
— Michael Del Zotto (@MichaelDelZotto) November 21, 2012
Some toxic stuff is floating around, although it seems tame compared to Kris Versteeg calling Gary Bettman and Bill Daly “cancers” and Ian White referring to Bettman as an “idiot.”
Even more player outrage