Daily Archives: August 13, 2012

All eyes on NHLPA’s presentation + optimism enough for all hockey fans!

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All eyes remain on the NHL & NHLPA meetings taking place in Toronto this week. Talks began 7 weeks ago…and there has been a constant back & forth until Bettman enforced a Sept. 15th deadline. Tomorrow is the day that the NHLPA led by Fehr will make their presentation of their alternative view for a new CBA[Collective Bargaining Agreement- settles the team salaries/cap/bonuses/franchise revenues/etc]. It is rumored that Sidney Crosby will be one the players present in representing the NHLPA at tomorrow’s meeting. Bettman is said to be ‘curious of the players view’, but the end result will tell the whole tale. Both sides remain optimistic that a new CBA can be established by September 15th. As I previously stated, I might be the only optimistic fan out there…but I  do think there is room for optimism in this scenario and I will just have to be optimistic enough for all hockey fans. Even if it ends up a shortened season….I would rather shorter than NO season. I do not like to entertain the idea of no hockey…we had that in 2004-2005(delaying Alex Ovechkin’s NHL debut until the 2005-2006 season when he was drafted in June 2004!) and it was brutal! Fingers crossed that the players, NHLPA director Fehr & Bettman can all come to an agreement that makes all sides happy and gives us a FULL season beginning in October:)! I refuse to join all those who are accepting the lockout before it is even official…what will you all do if it doesn’t happen, or is not all season long? Hear’s hoping this week goes well in Toronto for the NHLPA!

#59days

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

NHL meets w/ the NHLPA, Doan still running in circles & The Canucks sign Gaunce!

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Rumor has it that should the ever horrid reality of yet another lockout(ahem I mean a ‘work stoppage’ as they are now referring to it) with Bettman at the helm take place, that the NHLPA is working to organize at least a few exhibition games for the fans that would involve not just NHL players, but also KHL player(Kontinental Hockey League…aka the Russian league). Negotiations begin today between the NHL & the NHLPA and go through Thursday, the NHLPA will present their counter-proposal[alternative view] tomorrow. New Year’s hope? Will the Winter Classic save this year’s NHL season from complete demise? The league has until the January 1st date to cancel the fan favourite event(not to mention canceling the game last minute…would be a low blow). Could the Winter Classic act as the brake that will save the season from being axed completely? The Winter Classic brings with it great economic benefits for the NHL(the merchandising alone for this event…special jerseys, hats, flags, t-shirts,  sweaters, etc…its endless!) and some people have already committed financially to this event. There is still time to make a deal before the Bettman imposed deadline and hopefully these next 4 days of meetings go well. Do I want there to be a full 82 game schedule next season? YES, but I don’t know about you, I would rather have a shortened season than NO season at all.

Cristobal Huet has officially ended his waiting for a goal-tending job to open up in the NHL by signing a 4-year deal in Switzerland. He’s not the only one the leave the NHL behind, Gilbert Brule has signed a one-year deal with a team in Switzerland deciding to chance a return to the NHL in a year. A one-year deal with the European league gives Brule certainty for a job next season(with the CBA in limbo at the moment) and keeps him viable when the year is over to return to the league.

The Colorado Avalanche announced the re-signing of J.S.Giguere to a one-year extension worth $1.5 million.

Rumor has it that when the Shane Doan saga finally comes to a close, teams will make take a shot at landing Brenden Morrow from the Stars…via some sort of trade, not too sure that Dallas would willing to part with him though. Rumor has it that the Detroit Red Wings are also still actively interested in acquiring Doan but is he interested in Detroit? Reality suggests that Doan does not want to leave Phoenix, but it might be in his best interest to move forward if ownership cannot guarantee that the Coyotes will remain in Phoenix.

In other news my Vancouver Canucks have signed 2012 1s round pick Brendan Gaunce to entry level NHL contract. I look forward to seeing this kid unleash his potential at training camp, pre-season & potentially playing the line-up if he gets the call from the Canucks AHL affiliation the Wolves.

As always, until next time or [later today should more drama unfold], nuck said.

Sarah E.L.