NHL vs Journalists: Who's telling the truth?

[Mike Tython]

http://www.csnne.com/hockey-boston-b...91&feedID=3352

Winnipeg Jets representation at a recent NHL Board of Governors meeting piped up to say it was opposed to engaging in a long, bloody lockout sure to stymie their franchise’s momentum and hurt the game of hockey.

It wasn’t Winnipeg owner Mark Chipman, but rather one of the alternate governors representing the Jets.

Bruins Principal Owner and Chairman of the Board of Governors Jeremy Jacobs answered by reprimanding the Winnipeg representative as one of the “new kids on the block” and informed him that he would know when he was allowed to speak in the NHL board room.

There's a lot more fun stuff in that article... but of course, just hours after that came out -- this came out:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/spo...181266241.html

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, in an e-mail to The Free Press, said the story was a "100% complete and total fabrication."

Chipman issued the following statement Wednesday night:
"I was disappointed to learn today of a report which claimed an exchange took place between an Alternate Governor of the Winnipeg Jets and Jeremy Jacobs of the Boston Bruins at a recent NHL Board of Governors meeting. I was present throughout all BOG proceedings and can categorically state that no such exchange between Mr. Jacobs and either one of our Alternate Governors - Patrick Phillips or Kevin Cheveldayoff - ever took place. Any suggestion otherwise is completely false."

Remember last week or so, a report came from Philly claiming Ed Snider wanted to join forces with a couple other teams, including Pittsburgh, to get the ball rolling and find an end to the lockout. Not very long after that report surfaces, the NHL has another statement similar to this one where it was untrue and erroneous, etc.

Do you agree with the journalists? Is the NHL trying to cover their asses and quiet the fact there is division among owners? Or is it actual fabrication?

[NJDevils17]

I'm on the journalists' sides for this. Anything being reported that seems to be anti-league is always being called as "fabricated" or "made-up." It's BS because I believe these journalists are telling the truth. The two guys being called out are reputable beat writers and other reputable media members and journalists are upset that these two guys got called out. They don't just make up crap just to get traffic like Eklund or that HockeyInsiderr guy.

[Phila26Flyers]

Of course the NHL is going to deny anything that they think reflects negatively on them. But like NJD said, if the reporter is legit (like most of them are), I side with that guy. If @twittercunnt87 says "Flyers owner Snider calls hockey fans suckers!!1!" then I'd ignore it.

I do believe there is a division among the owners. Not a red vs. blue division, but surely some owners who are less hard on the bargaining line than others. It's just natural. I think Ed Snider WOULD be one of those guys if the report is true. He has so many other business ventures it's ridiculous.

[Mike Tython]

http://blog.triblive.com/dejan-kovac...ou-to-shut-up/

That's a little blog piece by the Pittsburgh beat guy who I find to be annoying 9 times out of 10. But he does bring up a good point, or at least something to think about. All along Lemieux and several others haven't been present. Are they "not allowed?" Do Jacobs, Leonsis, etc. "decide" who comes to the meetings and who doesn't? The beat guy is convinced Lemieux's presence would somehow get the ball rolling, which I don't understand, but it is an interesting question. Especially after reading about Jacobs bullying around Winnipeg.

[NJDevils17]

Originally Posted by Mike Tython

http://blog.triblive.com/dejan-kovac...ou-to-shut-up/

That's a little blog piece by the Pittsburgh beat guy who I find to be annoying 9 times out of 10. But he does bring up a good point, or at least something to think about. All along Lemieux and several others haven't been present. Are they "not allowed?" Do Jacobs, Leonsis, etc. "decide" who comes to the meetings and who doesn't? The beat guy is convinced Lemieux's presence would somehow get the ball rolling, which I don't understand, but it is an interesting question. Especially after reading about Jacobs bullying around Winnipeg.

It's pretty much been the same few owners at these meetings. Pretty much guys that Bettman want there. Jeremy Jacobs (Boston), Ed Snider (Philly), Murray Edwards (Calgary), Ted Leonsis (Washington), and Craig Leipold (Minnesota) have pretty much been the only guys at the meetings. The so called "hard liners" who are driving this lock-out. And if Bill Wirtz was still alive (Chicago) you know he'd be in on this too. Not sure what Mike Illitch's involvement has been with this though. I figure he must be playing some part since he's one of the few owners left that pre-dates Bettman, and he also had a huge stake in this season with the Winter Classic.

There is absolutely no way in hell these owners (well maybe Snider would be an exception since I believe he actually wants this resolved) would want a guy like Terry Pegula or James Dolan there.

[bruiser11]

Neither tells the truth.