"This is pure and simple bullshit for professional hockey," EHC Visp's manager Sébastien Pico gets carried away in an interview with Le Nouvelliste. For Pico, Viaccoz' solution (see yesterday's article) would be a setback for professional hockey: "The NLB is the best second division in Europe in terms of attractiveness and spectators," he continues. "This initiative would force many teams back into amateur status. This is a lack of respect." Pico would rather like to see the NLA and NLB consisting of ten professional teams each: "Otherwise we are heading to a closed league just like the NHL and KHL."
Inspite of Pico's harsh words, there is also support for Viaccoz' idea: "This is a good reflection that deserves to be discussed," Vincent Maret, member of HC Red Ice's administrative committee says to Le Nouvelliste. "A change is required in the NLB so that young players receive ice time to develop."
Moreover, Marlet also likes the idea from a financial point of view: "This initative would perhaps avoid further bankruptcies," he points out. "Certainly, budgets would decrease, but at the same time the current financial situation is difficult and there is no certainty in the long run. And in the NLB, the budgets are currently not in line with the economic reality."
No matter if Viaccoz' idea stands a chance in a vote of the league assembly. It certainly raises important questions that need to be addressed in the near rather than in the far future.
