Thanksgiving is the time of year when "The Wizard of Oz" is shown on about twenty different networks. Since I'm always about two or three weeks behind, I just watched it on my DVR, despite my mom owning a copy of it on VHS and DVD (because you can't recapture the feeling of fast forwarding those ads on a disc). There a lot of similarities between the current NHL standing and this holiday classic (most importantly, they both sync up to Pink Floyd rather nicely, especially with a dose of pumpkin pie or beer).
Let's start with the cast of characters: Dorothy, the Munchkins, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, the Wicked Witch, and the Wizard. Dorothy, wanting to escape the confines of her lower class, midwestern upbringing, clearly represents either the Columbus Blue Jackets or small-market teams as a whole. The yellow brick road represents the dusty trail (Interstate 70) and the ruby red slippers are her desire to join the New York Rangers. The Munchkins represent the rookies, the unknown future of hockey, the little Pee Wees. They have very little say in future matters, but current decision making is important to their future prospects.
The Tin Man with his hollow shell, inability to budge, and lack of heart is obviously Gary Bettman. Having no brain or the ability to solve basic problems, the Scarecrow is a really good metaphor for Gary Bettman. And the Cowardly Lion, all words, but no game, is Donald Fehr. The Wicked Witch of the West, extremely ticked at how things have been going in Oz for the past couple of years, in spite of things being awesome, represents the owners. As an aside, this makes the general management the Flying Monkeys. Finally, there is the Wizard, who is completely oblivious to the needs of his constituents in Oz. He represents Gary Bettman.
If we follow the story, a young girl journeys with her friends to find her way home and get gifts to them, only to hallucinate and murder someone in the process, we can follow the similarities and predict the end of the lockout. Dorothy and company make their pleas with the Wizard (the teams pleading and Gary fighting with himself), only to be sent away. The owners (Witch) kidnap the players and then Gary Bettman has to pretend to save them (positive negotiations). Then the players offer a truce only to throw water on the witch owners, which results in the negotiation meltdown. When everybody returns to the Wizard/Gary Bettman, he offers the players the chance to return home (playing), but accidentally leaves in the balloon (purposefully leaves in a limo, never to be seen again). The players will then click their ruby skates and return to their home countries.And then there's a meaningless sequel that no one watches (the 2013-2014 season).
It's not a perfect analogy, but eerily apropos. I'll keep you posted on how this pans out.
Let's start with the cast of characters: Dorothy, the Munchkins, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, the Wicked Witch, and the Wizard. Dorothy, wanting to escape the confines of her lower class, midwestern upbringing, clearly represents either the Columbus Blue Jackets or small-market teams as a whole. The yellow brick road represents the dusty trail (Interstate 70) and the ruby red slippers are her desire to join the New York Rangers. The Munchkins represent the rookies, the unknown future of hockey, the little Pee Wees. They have very little say in future matters, but current decision making is important to their future prospects.
The Tin Man with his hollow shell, inability to budge, and lack of heart is obviously Gary Bettman. Having no brain or the ability to solve basic problems, the Scarecrow is a really good metaphor for Gary Bettman. And the Cowardly Lion, all words, but no game, is Donald Fehr. The Wicked Witch of the West, extremely ticked at how things have been going in Oz for the past couple of years, in spite of things being awesome, represents the owners. As an aside, this makes the general management the Flying Monkeys. Finally, there is the Wizard, who is completely oblivious to the needs of his constituents in Oz. He represents Gary Bettman.
If we follow the story, a young girl journeys with her friends to find her way home and get gifts to them, only to hallucinate and murder someone in the process, we can follow the similarities and predict the end of the lockout. Dorothy and company make their pleas with the Wizard (the teams pleading and Gary fighting with himself), only to be sent away. The owners (Witch) kidnap the players and then Gary Bettman has to pretend to save them (positive negotiations). Then the players offer a truce only to throw water on the witch owners, which results in the negotiation meltdown. When everybody returns to the Wizard/Gary Bettman, he offers the players the chance to return home (playing), but accidentally leaves in the balloon (purposefully leaves in a limo, never to be seen again). The players will then click their ruby skates and return to their home countries.And then there's a meaningless sequel that no one watches (the 2013-2014 season).
It's not a perfect analogy, but eerily apropos. I'll keep you posted on how this pans out.
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