San Jose Sharks Martin Havlat blames Franchise owners of being inconsiderate -NHL Update
Few of the San Jose Sharks squad members have made their voices heard to the world about the current lockout being faced in the National Hockey League (NHL), but veteran Sharks right winger, Martin Havlat, decided that he could not stay quiet any longer.
After a statement by vice president of the Detroit Red Wings franchise on how players and fans are just “cattle”, Havlat’s patience was tested to the maximum.
For the 31-year-old, giving his all to the NHL and working day and night to perform at his best in front of the fans, which ultimately is not only beneficial for him but also the franchise, it seems like the owners are just treating them like a hoard of
animals on a farm with no sense of direction.
“We’re not shocked at being called ‘cattle,’” Havlat said. “I can tell you the players have been called a lot worse by some of the guys on the other side. It’s just never been reported publicly. I think it helps that the fans get to hear what we already
know. We’re not humans in their eyes; we’re just pieces of meat that get to eat some grass for awhile.”
The biggest surprise for most players is how things have changed since the previous lockout back in 2004-2005, which cost them the entire regular season. At that moment, teams were considered to have been drained financially while the players took home huge
chunks of the revenue pie.
But now, as the league has reportedly termed these past few seasons to be their best ever in terms of making money, popularity and new following, they are asking for the players share to decline even further than ever though before.
While the players are already not making as much as they were prior to the 2004-2005 lockout and are not making as much as their counterparts in other sports around North America, the Players’ Association is not willing to compromise on any further decline
at any cost. Something which Martin Havlat, a former 26th overall selection of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by Ottawa Senators, certainly stands firm with.
Tags: