I had read that Wayne Gretzky had shown no inclination to attend the HHoF induction ceremony - He's been fucked out of his investment and coaching fees, by the NHL and the Phoenix Coyotes.

I have searched online for more information, or reporting which might indicate he's in attendance, and am finding nothing.

It had been rumored by the Hockey News that he would decline to attend - Boycott the ceremony.

If he WAS a "no-show" how does this reflect upon the NHL, Gary Bettman and the message they're trying to send (if any) to Hockey fans?

Has The Great One become disposable, since "Sid the Kid" hit the scene? Has the new poster boy rendered Gretzky an expendable commodity, in light of the fact that they're trying to reneg on the $8.2 mil owed him?

If this is so, what of Stevie Yzerman? Would he not have had the courage, nor the graciousness to acknowledge Gretzky, in his HHoF induction speech?

Something like: "...I should have liked to have had this special day been that much more special, with the presence of the greatest player of my generation...I am saddened by the absence of my good friend, my fellow Canadian, an integral member of Hockey Canada, and a living Hockey Legend, Wayne Gretzky."

Is there no courage left? No honor?

If I'm way off base on this, I'll remove this thread - But, the silence is deafening.

And I'm shocked at the pettiness and shortsightedness of the NHL, in light of their decisions and actions.

Thoughts?

Shocked? Nay...

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Well, I dont read a lot of hockey news outside sabres stuff, so I have no idea what you're talking about. Any chance you could summarize the situation for me?

Edit: Ok, i'm not retarded...so apparently the NHL, or the coyotes owed him some money, and he got screwed out of it so in response he's not attending the hall of fame ceremony for steve y?

Does that about sum it up? Why was gretzky screwed out of money, and by whom?
Why is it so significant that he's not going to go to the ceremony...I know he's the 'great one', but is he expected to be at all of them, or was he particularly good friends with steve or something?

If I fuck you out of $8.2 mil, after I roped you into buying into the deal that cost you the $8.2 mil...and I've been using you to fucking make more money, all along. Based on your name and reputation...

And, now that I ain't payin' you the money, I expect you to attend my "Birthday Party" and bring a gift?......*crickets*

Would you show up at my "Birthday Party"?

your not off base but i dont see why gretzky needs to be there.

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Check out my website: http://www.artistzero.com

"That wasn't very nice...I do believe you killed my hat."

Driver of the FIRE LINDY RUFF Bandwagon since 2008.

Gretzky is right in his actions in every way. He was the greatest player to ever live, at least since the NHL has been in existence.

Without Gretzky, some people wouldn't have watched hockey. Who wouldn't want to see a guy averaging 2.398 points per game during his first 9 years as an Oiler?

They owe him big, no one will ever forget the incredible greats in sports.

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His being so fantastic at the game he played has nothing to do with this. He is owed money, plain and simple - 8+ million - and he isn't getting paid.

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mechaphil

A lot of what I read surrounding the Yote's bankruptcy was saying that Wayne could ruin the NHL if he wanted to. The NHL screwed him around big time, treated him just like any other 2 bit part owner, not as the greatest hockey player and ambassador to the game that the league has ever had.

Gretzky is rumored to have enough dirt on how the NHL runs that he could take it down in a minute if he so chooses. He gets major cred with me that he's not, but a part of me wishes he would, just so I can see Buttman burn.

If you were a nobody, and a great coach, you should still get the money.

Doesn't matter who you are, but with him being a huge reason some people watched games in the 80's and 90's and drew in millions of people and probably a lot of players.

He deserves so much better than having 8.2 million he is owed disappear basically.

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Gretzky as a player should have no barring as how hes treated as an owner.

anything else would be called favoritism.

that being said, he should be paid based on good business practices that should be used by the NHL.

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Check out my website: http://www.artistzero.com

"That wasn't very nice...I do believe you killed my hat."

Driver of the FIRE LINDY RUFF Bandwagon since 2008.

I'm not suggesting favoritism. I'm suggesting that he be treated with some degree of respect.

Well, the speeches are given tonight. Let's see what kind of late-night hockey news we get from the ceremony.

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mechaphil

Courtesy of Faceoff.com:



Gretzky downplays Coyotes' dispute

"TORONTO - Wayne Gretzky took the high road to reach the Hockey Hall of Fame, where a few of his pals were being inducted.

After days of Internet consternation - would he show or wouldn't he? - Gretzky did arrive at the Hall on Monday evening and addressed a throng of media about the fallout in Phoenix.

"Right now it's just my time to sit back, and enjoy my kids," Gretzky said, in his first public comments since the NHL Coyotes were sold and he was ousted as head coach.

"And you know what? The game is bigger than any individual or any person. Right now, it's just not part of my life. It's a simple as that."

Class.

Well I'm glad he showed up, being one of the very few players to be inducted without having to wait for three years and for everything he did for the NHL in his day.

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Me too, that was a real classy move on his part

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret