Tag Archives: Bettman

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.

Bettman+Fehr=both sides optimistic & other thoughts before the new week begins

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According the Bettman & the NHLPA  director Fehr, a first counter proposal is expected to be presented next week. Both sides remain optimistic that an agreement can reached before or by the ‘deadline’ enforced by Bettman. Fingers crossed that that optimism turns into a brand new CBA by/before September 15th. I might be the only one who’s choosing to be optimistic about this scenario as it is Bettman at the helm of the ship…but I REFUSE the thought of no hockey next season, it is just unfathomable to me. I cannot think one other NHL Commissioner who had 2 lockouts(&potentially a 3rd) in their tenure[and he’s only been it since ’93!]. I might be the only one…but I will shout my optimism loud enough for all hockey fans! I demand that we get to see some #Tripletmagic & #Sedinery +#AllAmericanExpress not mention the other great moments for other great players in this league.The madness will be starting in October!

Word is that Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick has had surgery to repair disc fragments and a cyst. Rehab is expected to begin next week and the estimated minimum amount of time for a full recovery is projected to be 6 weeks(aka just in time for pre-season).

If Doan is looking for money and it is indeed around $7 million…then it will more than likely be with Phoenix or another team that he signs, not Vancouver. I do not think the Canucks should take on a $7 million annual cap hit. However, if it is not about the money and indeed where he would fit best & have a chance at winning that elusive Cup…then he could end up in Van City, Pittsburgh or New York. It seems today that the supposedly signed & sealed offer by Jamison(*apparently he got the funds he was short on just a mere few weeks ago…but questions have arise where did it come from?) is not all it seems and the Phoenix ownership is once again basking in uncertainty. The favourites in the Doan sweepstakes seem to change daily 2 days it was New York, yesterday it was Phoenix…today there have been whispers of Pittsburgh. There will continue to be rumors and whispers until there is an official announcement. Should the Phoenix sale & ownership go through officially ensuring that the franchise remains in Phoenix, it is almost certain that Doan would no doubt sign to finish his career with the Coyotes.

P.S. When I refer to the #triplets that refers to Henrik & Daniel Sedin + Alex Burrows… or my other favourite when referring to the twins #sedinery = their unreal chemistry..its magical…just you wait until October & they dazzle us with their seamless no look passes.  When I refer to the #allamericanexpress that refers to Ryan Kesler, David Booth, & Chris Higgins. In the future I will probably make many more references to these combos & state some new ones…just a little preview of what comes once hockey finally begins again!!!

As always, until next time[& I know there is still dramatics still to come before all is said & done this off-season], nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Strike 3, Bettman’s at it again!+ Detroit looking to the Flames?+ a few other thoughts

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In the news today everyone’s favourite(as in the one we love to despise!) NHL commissioner was at it again! Gary Bettman officially made the statement that should there be no new CBA in place by September 15th there will indeed be a lockout(yes I know we are ALL shocked…but WAIT we already knew that!) Don’t you just love how Bettman thinks he’s alerting the hockey world to brand new information? Although following his statement today, he also stated that there is still ample time until then for both parties to come to an agreement. Once again tell us, something we didn’t already know Bettman! It is yet to be decided how drastic this lockout could be(delayed shortened season or the entire year with no hockey), but since Bettman became NHL commissioner in 1993 there have been 2 lockouts….one in 1994 which cut the 1994-1995 season to just a 48 game schedule and then the entire 2004-2005 was canceled, and he potentially could force a 3rd one! Anyone else just as frustrated with the way Bettman ‘controls’ the league?

Rumor has it that Detroit is actively looking into Calgary Flames defenseman Jay Bouwmeester in what could be an interesting trade. Rumor has it that Calgary has been looking to trade Bouwmeester(who has a cap hit of $6.68 million after signing defenseman Dennis Wideman to a 5 year contract worth $26.25 million(or an annual cap hit of $5.25 million) earlier this off-season. Apparently Detroit feels they need to fill the void left by Lidstrom’s retirement & losing Brad Stuart to San Jose. Detroit also lost the race in free agency when they lost the Suter/Parise lottery and had no chance in signing Weber after Philly upped the stakes that only Nashville could match. All in all, Detroit needs a defenseman to help stabilize the back end, and it will more than likely cost them a trade as the free agent market has not produced them the player(s) that they hoped to nab. It will interesting to see what both sides give&take if this trade does go through. Rumor has it that Calgary is attempting to rebuild & make a run for the cup, but I wasn’t aware that you could do both at the same time? Colour me confused.

Rumor has it that maybe just maybe Doan could remain in Phoenix, that is if this whole ownership ordeal with Jamison has stabilized itself. Then again, until he officially puts ink to paper the eyes of the NHL will remain on him, before moving on. If he remains in Phoenix, I like the idea of the Canucks signing centre Jason Arnott(it has been rumored that he likes the potential of signing in Vancity!) to help fill the void in centre with Kesler down, and provide a leadership role as well. Time will tell with both these players. If Doan leaves Phoenix when all is said and done…it could have an adverse effect on Phoenix…as he is their franchise player and may affect ticket sales for a franchise that already struggles filling the arena on a regular basis.

Are you kidding me?! The city of Markham, Ontario has submitted a proposal  for an NHL sized arena! If it were to go through, that leaves the potential for a 3RD hockey team in Ontario(they already have the Leafs & the Senators). Would another Canadian team be exciting? YES! But 3 teams in ONE province…is a bit much….yes Ontario is large….but three teams is too many….do they want to be New York(they’ve got the Rangers, Islanders, & the Sabres!) but then again who knows it could work. Maybe Quebec will get another team too if that proposal goes through…! Another team or two would add some excitement to the league…and Canada does love hockey and will fill those arenas! Until approval is given to Markham, it is just a dream for the moment.

#isitOctoberyet?!!! #63moredays!

Until next time, as always, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.