Focusing on the tumultuous journey of Bob Goodenow, this book delves into his leadership of the NHL Players Association during pivotal moments in professional hockey. It explores the dynamics of labor relations, the impact of negotiations, and the eventual challenges that led to his downfall. Through interviews and detailed accounts, the narrative highlights the complexities of player rights, union politics, and the evolving landscape of the NHL, offering a compelling look at the intersection of sports and labor history.
The Hall of Fame story of Grant Fuhr, the first black superstar in the National Hockey League and the last line of defense for the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, told through Fuhr's 10 most important games. Grant Fuhr was the best goalie in the league at a time when hockey was at its most exciting. Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers were arguably the greatest team in league history, and during the 1980s arguably the most popular team across the United States, even if many had little idea where Edmonton was. They were that good. And so was Fuhr: Gretzky called him the best goaltender in the world. Fuhr broke the colour barrier for NHL goaltenders when he played his first game for the Oilers in 1981, and was an inspiration for later players including future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla. But in addition to their dynastic run of Stanley Cup championships, the Oilers were also synonymous with the excesses of the decade: Fuhr himself was suspended for substance use, a discredit he had to fight back from--and did, going on to set career records and earning election to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Iconic baseball writer Bill James, in 1987, frustrated with MLB's labor stoppages and the decline of the minor leagues, wrote that the minors "were an abomination ... if you're selling a sport and the players don't care about winning, that's not a sport. That's a fraud ... an exhibition masquerading as a contest." Bill imagined a better model and proposed that, as opposed to limiting the number of teams in MLB to protect parity, a free market was capable of sustaining many more franchises -- hundreds, even -- if we would just allow it to sort out the level at which those cities might best compete. Cap in Hand goes a step further, arguing that a free market in sports teams and athletes once existed and could work again if the monopolists of MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL would simply relent from salary-restraint schemes and reserve-clause models that result in elite talent being spread as thinly as possible and mediocrity being rewarded via amateur drafts and equalization payments. In fact, the model for this exists and may be the most wildly popular and monetarily successful of all professional sports: European football. Cap In Hand asks: what if the four major North American pro sports move beyond the restrictive covenants of the franchise model? The product sold to fans today is a pale copy of what it might be if the market could guide the best players to the best teams, whose ingenuity and innovation would inspire everyone to do better and put on a better show
In 2008, the Vancouver Canucks underwent a transformation under GM Mike Gillis, who implemented innovative strategies to reshape the team and its culture. By modernizing player diets, enhancing psychological support, and improving facilities, he propelled the Canucks from non-playoff status to one of the NHL's elite teams from 2010 to 2012. This revitalization not only boosted team performance but also significantly increased the franchise's revenue, positioning Vancouver as a prime destination for NHL talent, culminating in a dramatic Game 7 appearance in the 2011 Cup Final.
