Bettman's taking NHL fans for granted.

It sounds like the NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is taking NHL fans for granted – his logic is – because the fans came back after the two previous lockouts - they will come back this time again.

I am sure there were a lot of fans that weren't happy today with Bettman's condescending, pompous and arrogant statement statement, I don't like reading that statement.

Tim Panaccio, Flyers Talk --- And that’s what NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is counting upon. That you, the fans, will come back again when he locks the doors on Sept. 15.

A week, a month, an entire season. He’s pretty confident you’ll come back.

How do we know that? The Commish all but said so today in Toronto at the CBA meetings.

After a brief, 90-minute negotiating session with the NHLPA in which nothing was really bargained and nothing was gained on either side, Bettman was asked about the damage another lockout could do.

“We recovered last time because we have the world's greatest fans,” Bettman said.

That, in a nutshell, is why the owners are willing to do it again. They know the sport will recover. They have past history to prove it.

Hockey fans are like addicts. They can’t resist the ice. They come back. Again and again.

First, I am not sure how Gary Bettman can start making ridiculous comments like he did today – does he have research to back up his claims? How does he know that the fans will be back after the lockout is over – there might be some fans that might just decide to not renew their season tickets or spend the money on something else – the country is in an economic down turn and some fans might decide that they won’t by the tickets and save the money for a rainy day.

This is one of the reason I believe that there is no reason to remain optimistic. The owners and Gary Bettman are taking NHL fans for granted – the owners and Bettman are making the assumption that the fans will forgive the owners for locking out the players after the labor dispute is over.

Today Gary Bettman said, "the only way to make progress in ongoing labour talks is to solve the "fundamental economic issues."

WCHA Unveils All-New Mobile Website

http://www.wcha.com/mobile
MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today announced an all-new mobile website that includes significant updates and upgrades to the previous platform.

The WCHA’s men’s and women’s mobile site, which has been launched at the same url as before (www.wcha.com/mobile) now includes more visually appealing pages, a better navigation system and improved mobile box scores among other changes. The pages can be viewed on a regular web browser, but are optimized for mobile browsers.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to announce this all-new WCHA mobile website to our followers across the country and around the world,” said Commissioner Bruce McLeod and Associate Commissioner Sara Martin. “The WCHA has presented a significant number of improvements to WCHA.com over the past few seasons and now with this newest mobile development the men’s and women’s leagues will be at the forefront of providing quick access to all the latest scores, box scores, game stories, statistics and press releases with an easier-to-use, more appealing platform.”

The many upgrades for 2012-13 that can now be found at www.wcha.com/mobile include the following:

    •    More visually appealing league and member team home pages with images included to promote the top stories.

    •    Better navigation system including easy links to each member team's home page from a menu at top of each page.

    •    Individual mobile player statistics pages that are accessible from team and league stats pages, press releases and game stories.

    •    Improved mobile press release presentation that now includes images and the ability for people to share via social media.

    •    Improved mobile game story presentation with images now included and the ability for embedding potential video. Mobile game stories can also now be shared via social media.

    •    Significant changes to mobile box scores with the addition of all game data, including all player and team stats. Previous box scores were all text-based. The new version uses an “accordion” format for accessing different game stats categories. These mobile box scores will also be the basis for the live box scores for the coming 2012-13 season and beyond.

WCHA.com, the official website of the 61-year-old Western Collegiate Hockey Association, includes TheWCHAShop.com as the league’s on-line merchandise store and WCHA.com/mobile. They are joint ventures of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and SportDesigns.com, featuring a statistical partnership with CollegeHockeyStats.net.

What will Seguin get?

Today, the Edmonton Oiler's re-signed one of their up and coming stars Taylor Hall to a restricted free agent deal. Hall just finished his second season of a three year deal, the Oiler's decided not to wait as they have Hall locked up for the next eight seasons. Hall signed a seven year extension worth 42 Million dollars. Taylor Hall has played in 126 games and scored 49 goals and 46 assists — 95 points. Hall was selected first over-all in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Boston Bruins drafted Tyler Seguin number two in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (thanks Phil Kessel). Unlike Hall who failed to finish either season he played in, due to injuries -  Seguin was pretty durable and played a in 155 games  and has scored 40 goals and 49 assists — 89 points.

Seguin was eased into the Bruins line up because of the Boston Bruins depth and Hall played more of a larger roll with the Oiler's earlier. 

While he has only played two season in the NHL, Seguin already has a Stanley Cup ring to resume as he was a member on the 2011 Stanley Cup Championship team.

It will be interesting to see what kind of contract that Seguin will command when his time comes to sign a restricted free agent deal.Recently, the Carolina Hurricanes resigned Jeff Skinner to a six year deal worth 34.35 million. Skinner will receive $4.35 million in 2013-14 and then will receive $6 million for the other five seasons – if my math is correct that is roughly $5.725 million per season. 

I got a bad feeling

After reading some of the stories and various news items and other things around the blogsphere I get a sense that the Bully Boy and NHL Commissioner  Gary Bettman is bound and determined to lock the NHL players out so they can get their 24% Roll back. Seems to be the owners/Bettman's way or the highway - seems counter productive. I do believe both sides are going to have to give some. I don't it's realistic to expect the players to give that much back especially after some of the contracts that were signed this offseason. 

I also saw that the NHL owners lock the players out and there is no hockey this season the NHL owners will still get a 200 million dollar payment from NBC.So the NHL owners will recoup some of their loses if they do lock the players out.

Former Boston Bruins Defenseman and TSN Hockey Analyst Aaron Ward says that we are no where - there is no substance to the negotiations and he all but guarantees that there will be a lockout. I also agree, I don't see how the players and the owners get anything done when they don't know where to start. 

The reoccuring theme that is starting to emerge the labor talks is that there appears to be a frustration surrounding the CBA negoations from both sides.

As a rabid fan of the NHL I can't see how a lockout does anyone any good - if there is a work stoppage there will be a fair number of fans that will feel alienated and might not come back when the CBA have been signed. Much like they did in 2004-05 fans will find something else to do. Thank God that college hockey doesn't lock the players out.

NHL looks at Obstruction

I am sure that my buddy Redwing77 will give his spin later on this subject.

According to NHL.COM, the NHL is having a two day summit to discuss the NHL current standard of rule enforcement.

Translation, the National Hockey League is looking into whether there too much obstruction in the NHL right now, especially after they had players sounding off on the leagues officials during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The following people listed in the Paragraph below are part of the discussion.

If you need refreshing here are some examples about players being upset with the reffing during last season's NHL playoffs... [example one] and [exmaple two]

While they’re at it, I would like them to look at the diving and flailing about on the ice that some like to use to draw penalties.

Tim Campbell, Winnipeg Free Press --- Players present for the meeting were Mike Cammalleri of the Calgary Flames, Jason Spezza of the Ottawa Senators, Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, John-Michael Liles of the Toronto Maple Leafs, James Neal of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Kevin Bieksa of the Vancouver Canucks.

The coaching roster included five NHL bench bosses -- Chicago's Joel Quenneville, Nashville's Barry Trotz, Phoenix's Dave Tippett, Boston's Claude Julien and Washington's Adam Oates -- as well as three active referees, Stephen Walkom, Brad Watson and Wes McCauley.

Also attending were five NHL GM's -- Pittsburgh's Ray Shero, Tampa Bay's Steve Yzerman, Buffalo's Darcy Regier, New Jersey's Lou Lamoriello and Vancouver's Mike Gillis.

After reading some of the tweets that Paul from Kuklas Korner posted on line it appears that the NHL is going to tighten up the calls if the NHL ever plays a game this season.

#NHL met today to discuss rules, namely obstruction. Looks like they’re going to tighten things up a bit for next season. — George Popalis (@SNGeorgePopalis) August 22, 2012

For fans that want to watch a more wide open game I think that this is really good news – I don’t know anyone that wants to watch the players hanging all over each other like groupies at a hockey party.

I also think that if the league cracks down on the obstruction they also need to crack down on the poor sports that like to embellish to draw penalties – you know the frauds like Ryan Kesslers (video evidence) and Alex Burrows (video evidence) that skate up and down the ice flailing around and snapping their heads back.

Lastly, It will be interesting to see if anything actually comes out of this or will they call it tight for a few months and go back to the horrible job of officiating we saw last spring during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Hump day Links

The summer is really winding down… If my math is correct there are roughly 45 days until UND plays it’s first exhibition game on October 6th, 2012. There are also roughly 23 left for the NHL and the NHLPA to come to an agreement on the CBA without delaying the start of the NHL preseason. If there is no agreement between the NHL owners and the NHL, the league will go from being the National Hockey League to the No Hockey League.

From the Penn State front : Lawyers for Graham Spanier, former Penn State president ousted after Jerry Sandusky scandal, plan to rebut Freeh report

Former KFAN PA and Dubay host Jeff Dubay has resurfaced on the radio this past week. Jeff was on KTWINS for the last two days. [Pioneer Press]

Former Fighting Sioux and two-time all-Western Collegiate Hockey Association goaltender Brad Eidsness has decided to fore go the professional hockey route and go to law school in British Columbia. Here are two articles on this story ‘He’s not your typical kid’ and Eidsness Exercises His Option

The NHL is looking at obstruction – I think this is a bit over-due, especially, after watching all of the obstruction, hooking and holding that has been allowed during the past two NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. There seems to be two different standards – there seems to be stricter standard during the regular season and then a more relaxed standard for the playoffs.

THE CANADIAN PRESS --- There should be a healthy exchange of ideas with five general managers (Darcy Regier, Lou Lamoriello, Ray Shero, Steve Yzerman, Mike Gillis) and four head coaches (Joel Quenneville, Barry Trotz, Dave Tippett, Adam Oates) in a room with players, referees and members of the league's hockey operations department.

Campbell labelled it a "think-tank for hockey."

The idea came out of the GM meetings in March, when a number of managers expressed frustration with what they believed to be a slip in standard for the way penalties were called. Campbell invited them to submit video of specific incidents, which will be looked at this week.

"Personally, I don't think the hooking and holding has slipped," said Campbell. "I think we have to find out what we want with intereference on the forechecking and interference off the faceoff."

The league's former disciplinarian thinks the discussion might branch off to other rules like slashing.

"Anything that stops a player from scoring," he said.

This will be the first exercise of its kind since the NHL held a major crackdown on obstruction coming out of the 2004-05 lockout. However, Campbell doesn't expect it to have nearly the same impact on the sport in terms of the number of penalties called.

I know this about 12 days old, but according to Shooter from the Pioneer Press, former North Stars radio voice Doug McLeod is a strong candidate for the Gophers men's hockey play-by-play TV job on FSN. I personally, would like to see Kevin Gorg from FSN fill that role.

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Minnesota Wild forward Dany Heatley has sued his former agent for $11 million dollars. [TSN.CA]

Here is some interesting news. Current ECAC Hockey Director of Officiating and former National Hockey League (NHL) referee Paul Stewart is going to join the Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) as a consultant, where he will be an advisor to KHL president Alexander Medvedev on judicial matters. According to Ken Schott he will also continue working for the ECAC.

Chris Peters from the United States of Hockey, has a good story on Georges Laraque and “it appears” that he is going to be the new head of the CHLPA. [United States of Hockey]

EDIT: UND Hockey incoming freshman - the vitals

Here is a look at UND Hockey's incoming freshmen... I am sure that the class of 2016 will make it's impact on UND before it's all said and done.

Forward: 9 Drake Caggiula - Twitter - Stats - Highlights
Defenseman: 24 Jordan Schmaltz - Twitter - Stats - Highlights
Forward: 26 Coltyn Sanderson - Twitter - Stats
Forward: 29 Bryn Chyzyk - Twitter - Stats - Highlights
Goalie: 31 Zane Gothberg - Twitter - Stats - Highlights - Zane goes to camp.
Transfer Student - Goalie:  33 Clarke Saunders - Twitter - Stats

The UND Hockey Prospectus was released today - some fans have wondered where the members of the UND Hockey team are from - they're from all over the place. 

 

2012-13 UND Hockey Roster is up

The 2012-13 UND Hockey roster is up - as you can see Taylor Dickin is no longer on the team he is now a member of the University of Manitoba.

Mike Danton denied visa to play hockey in U.K.

This is the latest big hockey story to hit the wire - it's about former St Louis Blue Mike Danton being denied a visa from the U.K. to play hockey for the Coventry Blaze. After reading his Wikipedia page it’s apparent that Mike Danton has had a colorful and troubled life.

Chris Johnston, The Globe and Mail --- Mike Danton’s attempt to continue his hockey career in England is on hold after border officials refused to grant him an entry visa.

The former NHLer, who served more than five years in a U.S. prison for a failed murder-for-hire plot, had his visa application rejected last week, the Coventry Blaze announced Monday. The team, which plays in the Elite Ice Hockey League, said Danton plans to submit a secondary application to the UK Border Agency.

The Blaze called on officials to view that “sympathetically” because of the positive steps taken by Danton since his release from prison in 2009.

“Mike would be a huge asset both on and off the ice,” the team said on its website. “He is an outstanding example of an individual who has turned his life around in recent years. ... There are so many positive reasons why we believe Mike deserves to be granted his visa.”

Danton and team officials won’t make any further comment until a decision is made on the secondary application, according to the Blaze.

The 31-year-old Danton returned to pro hockey last season — splitting his time between teams in Sweden and the Czech Republic — following two years at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, where he helped the Huskies win a national championship in 2010 and was named an academic all-Canadian because of a straight-A average.

I looking at the Elite League UK, I was going through the various rosters and I only noticed one name that I was familiar with Colin Shields who played his NCAA Hockey at Maine from 2001-04.

Former Fighting Sioux forward Mike Prpich also played in the EIHL with the Cardiff Devils and the New Castle Vipers.

How much is Burrows worth?

Vancouver Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows has played in 522 games and scored (139g-131a—270 pts) in 7 ½ seasons in the NHL, you have to think that Burroows is due a pretty big raise.

According to Cap Geek Burrows is making 2 million dollars a year – if we compare Ryan Kessler and Burrows – Kessler is making 5 million dollars a year. Just for comparison sake Kessler has played in 561 NHL games and scored (153g-184a—337pts).

You have to think that Burrows who plays with the Sedin twins on the first line makes 2 million dollars a year and is probably set to get a big raise. First, you have to wonder if the current CBA negotiations are going to affect Burrows contract negotiations, I would think not. No one else has shown fiscal restraint when it comes to free agents signings and players contract extensions, during the current labor negotiations.

Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun --- Assistant general manager Laurence Gilman confirmed Friday that he has had recent discussions with Burrows' agent, Paul Corbeil.

"We have had preliminary discussions about extending Alex's contract," Gilman said. "But beyond that it's not our policy to discuss ongoing negotiations."

Burrows is set to enter the final year of a four-year contract that pays him $2 million a season.

He has proved to be a bargain at that price. Playing mainly with the Sedin twins, Burrows has had four straight seasons of 25 or more goals. He scored 28 goals and had 52 points for the Canucks last season. The 31-year-old had his best season in 2009-10 when he had 35 goals and 67 points, both career highs.

"Alex is an important player on our team, both on the ice and in our dressing room," Gilman said. "And if we can get him signed to a long-term deal that keeps him with us for a number of years it would be a very good thing."

Burrows' numbers obviously have him in line for a significant raise. But like so many other of his teammates before him, Burrows will be expected to sign for less than he might command on the open market if he was to become an unrestricted free agent next July 1.

CHL to have a players union

Canadian Hockey League (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This article caught my attention and is worth a read if you haven't seen it.

I wonder what kind of grievances you will see filed in regards to the education packages and compensation? I wonder if that zinger is too soon.

Mike Davies, Peterborough Examiner --- A union for Canadian Hockey League players has been in the works for 14 months and will soon go public, says a spokeswoman.

Sandra Slater, a consultant for the Canadian Hockey League Players Association (CHLPA), expects the group to go public within 10 days. The CHLPA aims to create better representation for junior hockey players regarding rights, education packages and compensation for their use in league branding as well as CHL and Hockey Canada events, particularly, the World Junior Hockey Championship.A union for Canadian Hockey League players has been in the works for 14 months and will soon go public, says a spokeswoman.

Sandra Slater, a consultant for the Canadian Hockey League Players Association (CHLPA), expects the group to go public within 10 days. The CHLPA aims to create better representation for junior hockey players regarding rights, education packages and compensation for their use in league branding as well as CHL and Hockey Canada events, particularly, the World Junior Hockey Championship.

“The CHL is big business. They make millions of dollars a year and these kids make it for them,” said Slater. “Hockey Canada is a big part of this as well.”

If a 60 per cent majority of players accept the union, Slater says the CHL will have no choice but to recognize it by law.

“We're hoping to have a good working relationship,” she said.

It also sounds like some of the same arguments that you hear surrounding the NCAA are also being talked about by the CHL players. Some have argued that college and universities should play the NCAA players especially in NCAA football and basketball because their schools makes so much off of the fruits of their labor.

D'Agostini said a QMJHL player he trains with mentioned it one day but that's the extent of his knowledge. He admits to mixed feelings. He says players should be compensated for the use of their image and he wouldn't turn down more money but he says: “I can't complain about the things I have gotten out of this league. The experience of playing for Team Canada. Playing in the Subway Series. You're always decked out in nice gear and are given free stuff. I'm sure I have gone through thousands of dollars worth of hockey sticks alone. I know I have been well taken care of. I don't know what to say.”

The Cult of Hockey profiles Dillon Simpson

The Cult of Hockey has an interesting article on UND junior defenseman Dillon Simpson.

Edmonton Oilers Prospects #12: Dillon Simpson

There was some reflexive complaining about nepotism in Edmonton after they drafted Simpson in the fourth round of the 2011 Draft, but it was largely muted and for good reason: Simpson looks like he’s going to be a player on merit, not just because he happens to share a last name with a former 50-goal scorer.

Simpson played 30 college games in his draft year, scoring twice and adding eight assists, and he built on those totals this year: 42 games played, two goals, and 16 assists for 18 total points. There’s other good news – his role expanded to the point where he was on the ice for both special teams (something that had not happened the year before), he doubled his shot totals over the course of the season, and despite taking on more responsibility he went from plus-11 to plus-10 despite the fact that the team as a whole went from plus-56 to plus-19.

Unfortunately, the news isn’t all good.

The jump in offense, for example, isn’t as spectacular as it sounds. At even-strength over 30 games in 2010-11, Simpson had one goal and six assists. At even-strength over 42 games in 2011-12, he had one goal and six assists. Fully 11 of his 18 points last season came on the power play. How much offense will he bring to the professional level – particularly if he doesn’t end up on the man advantage? It’s unclear but his college numbers to date don’t suggest he’s going to be a dominant force; his point totals are in the same range as recent Oilers college picks Jeff Petry, Cody Wild and Taylor Chorney.

Expectations for 2012-13: Another year at the University of North Dakota could be revealing. With top defender Ben Blood slated to turn pro, there’s room for Simpson to move up the depth chart. It’s reasonable to expect more work at both even-strength and on special teams, and the challenge will be for Simpson to remain a plus player against tougher opposition, and hopefully to deliver something more offensively. [Read the Whole Articled]

I don’t think that anyone who watched Dillon Simpson play on a regular basis over the past two year would agree with everything that is written in this article. I also wonder how many games the author actually watched Simpson play. Lets not forget, Dillon came to UND at the ripe old age of 17 playing against older adult players that are in their 20’s.

I have heard that Simpson like many of his other teammates played a portion of last season injured and that might explain why Simpson’s play might have taken a bit of a dip. I heard that Simpson had played one of the series against the Minnesota Gophers with a significant injury.

Lastly, I think that Dillon Simpson has a great upside and will get better as he matures with age. Simpson will only get better playing against older players.I am also not comfortable with comparing Simpson to the Edmonton Oiler fans favorite whipping boy Taylor Chorney - I think that Simpson in my opinion is much better player with a bigger upside defensively that Chorney.

Is Gary Bettman the lockout commissioner?

I think it's a good question - under the tutelage of Gary Bettman he has presided over two NHL work stoppages since he took over the NHL League Commissioner job in February 1, 1993.

There is a very good chance that the NHL is going to have their third lockout under the leadership of Gary Bettman. Another dubious honor Bettman holds is that the NHL is the only professional sport to lose an entire season due to a work stoppage.

Jack Todd, Montreal Gazette --- You get the feeling that Gary Bettman loves his lockouts. This is Bettman’s thing. Shut down the league. Grind the players to powder. Go back to the owners and get his own salary bumped up for having satisfied the owners’ greed.

Then come back five or 10 years later and say that the salary system he shut down the league to get is unworkable, so he has to shut it down again. Why? Because he wants to. Because he can.

Last time round, it seemed like the owners had a case. We were on the fence, until the latter stages of the lockout, when Bettman morphed into Richard M. Nixon.

This time, it is Bettman who has presented an entirely irrational plan, one the NHLPA would be mad to accept — and it is PA executive director Donald Fehr who responded with a response so rational, so well thought out, that we actually hoped Bettman might accept it, at least as a starting point for a new approach.

Again, I am sure that most of us would have more empathy for the owners if the NHL had not made 3.3 billion dollars last season. Also, I am sure the owners would get more sympathy from the fans if the owners weren’t signing players to ridiculous salaries like they have this off-season.

Rocco Grimaldi on the Pipeline show

This past Tuesday, UND forward freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi was on the Pipeline show with Guy Flaming. [Click to listen]

For those that are wondering about Rocco's recovery from the knee surgery. There is some good news. Last week, Rocco said that he has been skating for 45 minutes three times a week.

Rocco was asked if he was disappointed for not getting drafted in the first round of the 2011 NHL draft.

“Friday was definitely an interesting day as well," Grimaldi said.

"Getting there obviously like you said I was a wild card and I was told that too. So I wasn’t surprised about that I might go first, second, third, fourth whatever. So I was kind of just sitting there not knowing anything, like I know that some kids have an inkling enough of where they might end up, but I literally had nothing… Like I had no idea, so I am sitting there waiting and waiting and you know I thought it was a possibility, I heard end of the first beginning of the second, was probably where I was about to go. You know, obviously you want to go as high as you can, not that it matters but that was me personally, the first day ended and I didn’t get picked and I will be honest I was pretty upset. I wasn’t a very happy camper.”

Roco was asked about his faith and if it has ever been an issue for any of his fellow teammates.

“No I don’t think so,” Grimaldi said. Especially not with teammates, or those close to me because they know the true me; they know that’s just me and how I live my. I believe in the Lord. That’s just my life, Jesus is my life, and they know that and respect that. We just both respect each other. If we have something between us that kind of boiling and kind of getting angry, you know it’s the respect factor.“

"For the people that don’t know me, I don’t know. I obviously gotten some critics I guess just from the things that I have said. Most of them being misconstrued but there is nothing I can do about that. I am not really too concerned about what others are saying about me. As long as the Lord has said good things about me I am not too concerned about other people say about me.”

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Rangers, Michigan Daily Reach Settlement

It looks like the Michigan Daily has finally succumbed to the pressure and taken their famous story down. [Link to the Story]

Steve Bienkowski, Chief Operating Officer of the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club, has released the following statement regarding the organization’s settlement with the Michigan Daily newspaper.

“The Michigan Daily has removed the article that caused the Kitchener Rangers to commence legal proceedings against the newspaper and the reporter, Matt Slovin. As they have acceded to what was from the outset the Kitchener Rangers’ primary demand, we are discontinuing the legal proceedings as against the newspaper and Mr. Slovin.

The Kitchener Rangers remain gravely concerned about the ease with which a source hiding behind the cloak of anonymity was able to spread the false allegation that our organization offered Jacob Trouba financial compensation.

We are not discontinuing the action against the anonymous source. Although truth would be a complete defence to the libel action, we fully expect that the source will not have the courage to step forward, as there is not a shred of truth to the allegation, as the Ontario Hockey League investigation has now confirmed.

It is unfortunate that there are individuals so intent on harming our organization that they would fabricate and disseminate harmful lies. It is particularly unfortunate that they chose to implicate Jacob Trouba and his family, who should not have had to answer to the baseless allegation.”

It would have been interesting to see what a hockey team in a foreign country could have actually done against the University of Michigan newspaper and or Matt Slovin – I can’t imagine that a foreign countries court (CANADA) could levy a criminal sanction decision that would have much for teeth in it.

Hey kudos to Matt Slovin for not caving earlier and the story was actually up for a month plus before the took the article down. In my opinion, this still looks like the bully boys from the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL bullying a student newspaper.

EDIT: The Michgian Daily has a clarification on its webpage. [Click to link]

Friday at the Links

Sounds like the NHLPA led by Donald Fehr is less than impressed with Gary Bettman and the NHL Owners response to their proposal that they put forth in good faith.

One casualty of the impending lockout is that the Detroit Redwings have cancelled their prospects tourney that they hold every summer in Traverse City Michigan.

Helene St. James, Freepress.com --- General manager Ken Holland told the Free Press that, "we had a conference call with all the teams involved. Due to the uncertainty of CBA negotiations and teams having to make commitments for hotel rooms and travel plans -- the biggest thing is the hotel rooms. The people Up North needed to know if the rooms would be used or not. So we made the decision to cancel for 2012. We plan to be back next year."

Games among prospects for the Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues were to have run Sept. 15-19 at Centre Ice Arena.

Mike Brohy of Sportsnet.CA says not so fast don’t shoot the messenger. [Sportsnet.CA]

Not Lockout related but former Fighting Sioux forward Brad Malone is ranked 5th on the Av’s prospects.

5. Brad Malone, C: After he was taken with the 105th pick in the 2007 draft, Malone spent the next four years at the University of North Dakota. There he developed into an NHL-ready power forward. The Miriamichi, New Brunswick native turned pro prior to last season and made an immediate impact. That's not surprising -- Malone's size (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) and fearless attitude make him a valuable lower-line presence for any organization. He's also got some offensive pop, with 11 goals and 25 assists in 67 games for Lake Erie. When the Avalanche forward lines were hampered by injuries in December, Malone performed well in a nine-game tryout, averaging 10 minutes a game and notching two assists. If his development stays on schedule, look for him to make a breakthrough with Colorado sometime next season. "He's just a big strong guy who plays the center and the wing," Billington said. "He's got good hockey sense, and he's not afraid."

The labor impasse and the prospects of an impending lockout is holding up the signing of free agent deals. Phoenix Coyotes unrestricted free agent forward Shane Doan seems to be a casualty of this as well.

Sarah McLellan, Arizona Republic --– The Coyotes have been among the more conservative operators this offseason, waiting for potential buyer Greg Jamison and long-term captain Shane Doan to decide their futures with the team before the front office could further retool the roster.

But in the weeks leading up to the scheduled open of training camps in mid-September, the pulse around the league has copied that of the Coyotes, slowing as uncertainty picks up with the approaching expiration date of the collective bargaining agreement.

"Everybody is in a holding pattern in regards to the deals they can potentially make," Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said. "The last number of years, August is a quiet month anyway, but this CBA makes it a little quieter than normal."

Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News expects a work stoppage to happen but doesn’t think the lockout will go on very long. I agree as well, because I have a really hard time believing that the NHL would take a chance at losing their money maker the Winter Classic.

The players are thinking globally for the good of the game, allowing the salary cap to stay and proposing ideas like luxury taxes, trading of salary cap space and broader revenue sharing. Bettman and many owners are seemingly thinking only about their pockets. In a rarity for sports labor disputes, most fans are on the players' side.

My sense is we're not going to have an 82-game season but this won't go on too long. I find it hard to believe the league would blow off all the exposure HBO will be again providing with its 24/7 series in advance of the Winter Classic. And let's not forget the expected world record crowd in the 115,000 range likely to pack the Big House at the University of Michigan for the Red Wings and Leafs on New Year's Day.

Still, I wouldn't be making downtown dinner reservations prior to a hockey game thinking you're going to be seeing the Sabres against the Penguins (Oct. 13), Red Wings (Oct. 16) or Rangers (Oct. 19). Under the current schedule, in fact, seven of the Sabres' first 10 games through Nov. 3 are at home. They all seem in jeopardy now.

Jeff Z Klein of the New York’s Slap Shot Blog has two really good blog post this week. How to Share the Revenue Could Be Stumbling Block in N.H.L. Negotiations. [Click to open]

In N.H.L. Negotiation, the Union’s Good Ideas May Not Matter. [Click to open]

NHLers planning a European odyssey in case of a lockout may be in tough. [Winnipeg Sun]

NHL is headed for a lockout but it won't last into 2013, according to a national hockey writer. [Mlive.com]

Sabres Pylon Scott was not brought to the Buffalo for his defensive skills

The North East Division teams got tougher this off-season, the much maligned Buffalo Sabres signed former Dallas Star uber punk Steve Ott and former New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks pylon John Scott – not to be out done – the Montreal Canadians signed former New York Rangers tough guy Brandon Prust, who shared the NHL’s league lead in fighting majors with the Boston Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton.

By signing these players – some have said that the North Eastern division teams are playing right into the Boston Bruins hands – last season when the Boston Bruins have at least one fighting major they have a winning record. When the Boston Bruins don't record at least one fighting major last season they had a losing record.

I do predict that these teams are not going to beat the Boston Bruins at their own game. These aforementioned teams were better off to let sleeping bears slumber.

Boston Bruins forward/tough guy Shawn Thornton led the Bruins and tied Brandon Prust for the league lead with 20 fighting majors – thirteen of Thornton’s fellow teams mates dropped the gloves as well. According to Hockeyfights.com, the Boston Bruins were second in the league in fighting majors and held a record of 37-16-8 when they recorded at least one fighting major.

James Cook, Record-Eagle --- A bruising blueliner brought in by the Sabres to contend with fiesty teams such as the Boston Bruins, Scott makes a living as an enforcer. And that role often includes fighting.

"I tell him the only thing uglier than an MMA fight is a hockey fight," Bustance joked. "He's got a good nature. But he's patient like a boxer. He's got a good eye. We can even work with the same foot position so he can do it on skates."

The 270-pound Scott isn't out there for his deft scoring touch. In 146 career NHL games, he's scored just one goal and added four assists. But he's piled up 236 penalty minutes over four seasons with the Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers before signing a one-year contract with the Sabres this off-season.

Scott is ranked as one of the top 10 fighters in the NHL as a result of several vicious beatdowns he's handed out in his four seasons in the NHL.

His most infamous fight came when he was with the Blackhawks. It was Nov. 27, 2010, and Scott destroyed Kevin Westgarth, who is no small man himself.

Even at 6-5, 241, Westgarth appeared dwarfed by Scott, who heaped punishment on the Los Angeles Kings forward. Westgarth tapped out to end the fight, which is somewhat unusual because both participants were still on their feet.

The first thing that the Buffalo Sabres should try to do is teach former MTU defenseman John Scott how to skate, so he can take a regular shift on the ice and not just take up a roster spot. I couldn’t resist when I read this article.

The Rangers valued John Scott so much that they made John Scott a healthy scratch during the Rangers “entire” playoff run, because his former head coach John Tortorella felt he was a defensive liability and beating the crap out of people is not a desired trade that you need in the Stanely Cup Playoffs. For whatever reason, the New York Rangers also failed to resign Brandon Prust in the offseason as well.

Just for the record, I am a big fan of fighting in hockey and I relish a good fight between two willing combatants and would never be an advocate for eliminating fighting in the junior or professional ranks. That being said, let’s not kid ourselves – John Scott has one role in the NHL and that’s to beat the tar out of the opposition but let’s call it as we see it – he can’t skate or play hockey very well at all.

Finally, while the Boston Bruins might have been second in the league in fighting majors last season – all of their tough guys can skate and play a regular shift and a vital role on their team. There aren’t any one dimensional goons taking up a roster spot on their team. So while the Sabres employed Scott to dance with a few Bruins in six league games, the Sabres are still wasting a roster spot on a one dimensional player that has a hard time staying in the lineup.

Thursday Links – NHL = No Hockey League?

As most of you know the NHL Commissioner threw cold water on the NHLPA’s proposal and now NHL hockey fans have to worry if there is going to be a work stoppage that could cost us a good share of the NHL season. To quote Gary Bettman, "There's still a wide gap between us with not much time to go."

A while back, my good buddy Redwing77 suggested that the NHL contract a few teams – over on Sportsnet.CA Michael Grange has suggested the same things as well.

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing NHL owners is that they are in business with some real dog-and-pony shows. On one hand you have Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which -- on-ice performance aside -- is perhaps the most sophisticated sports ownership group on the planet. According to Forbes, the Leafs' 2010–11 operating income of $81.8 million nearly matched the next two most lucrative operations -- the Rangers and Canadiens -- combined. (And if you're looking for a staggering figure, the other 27 teams combined for $44.4 million in operating losses.)

On the other hand you have the New York Islanders, who could hold a rat rodeo in the bowels of the decrepit Nassau Coliseum and have taken John Tavares hostage. Phoenix is Phoenix. Columbus is a joke, and Florida can barely draw Canadians during March Break. But what if we chopped two teams and moved two more? More revenue for the league and the players to share, and less bad news for the rest of us. No-brainer.

Lopping off two teams (and before you say that's crazy, I talked to one former NHL governor who wished it was six) makes the league six percent smaller, but as the former governor told me, “You know that revenues wouldn't drop by six percent.” Right away, each remaining team's share of revenues would increase as they would only have to divide by 28 instead of 30; it would also mean two fewer clubs on the receiving end of revenue-sharing cheques. Lopping off the Islanders and Panthers would cut league revenues by $144 million (based on 2010–11 figures compiled by Forbes) but would increase the average earned per team from $103 million to $105 million.

I found a post by a Devils fan on the NJ.COM site that I really agree with… I thought I would share it with you because it probably the same way a lot of NHL fans feel. I wonder sometimes if the NHL would be better off spending their 7.5 million dollars on someone else.

Gary Bettman is a buffoon threatening a lock out, Last year was a breakout year for the NHL with TV coverage of all the playoff games. Building from that, the popularity is finally going in the right direction and he wants to derail the whole thing. The cap system he scrapped an entire season to get was supposed to save the team owners from themselves. The owners find a way to get around this "savoir cap system" with enormous long term contracts, spending themselves into financial trouble once again. Now Bettman wants to scuttle the progress the league has made withe the fan base by sabotaging the CBA negotiations, he should keep his mouth shut and the the process work. The attitude of of closing up shop if I don't get my way is counter productive, nobody wins with a lockout financially everyone loses; teams, players, cities, vendors, parking, restaurants/bars all lose a revenue steam

It does appear that he owners want to move back to 2004-05 lockout era and I am not sure that is even possible? The more I read – the more I think there is not going to be any easy solution – that is going to happen any time soon.

Under the NHLPA's offer, the difference would be much less significant.

Donald Fehr, the union's executive director, bristled at the parallels Bettman drew to other pro leagues -- "every sport has its own economics," he said -- and indicated that the gap in talks was actually created by the NHL's initial proposal in July.

"There's a pretty substantial monetary gulf which is there and when you start with the proposal the owners made how could it be otherwise?" said Fehr. "I mean consider what the proposal was: It is 'Let's move salaries back to where they were before the (2004-05) lockout started, back to the last time.' That's basically what it was.

"'We had a 24 per cent reduction last time, let's have another one.' That was the proposal. That's what creates the gulf."

The sides broke off from talks with two completely different offers on the table and no meaningful negotiation sessions planned for a week. A sub-committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, but Bettman and Fehr won't sit down together again until Aug. 22.

It's impossible to ignore the looming threat of a lockout.[TSN.CA]

I also don’t know how the owners can sign players to outrageous salaries and then say – we would like to have the players take a 24% roll back in salaries – especially after the Weber, Parise and Suter Salaries. I think this is why the players and fans are cynical if not downright dismissive of the owners.

Think about this, the NHL has a works stoppage every 5.25 years – I don’t know if any professional can make that claim.

Glean what you what you want from Fehr’s statement about the owners.

Also, there was a feelings of optimism after the NHLPA made its proposal on Tuesday – those feelings of optimism – expressed by many on Tuesday – were squashed on Wednesday when the Owners led by Gary Bettman rejected the NHLPA proposal saying, “there’s still a wide gap between us with not much time to go,”

Pat Leonard, New York Daily News --- A lockout this fall would be the fourth NHL work stoppage in the past 21 years, and once again it’s clear that Bettman and the owners believe it to be their best negotiating tactic – dig their feet into the sand until they get what they want.

The league filed the notice of termination of the current CBA in May. The NHL’s opening proposal in July then was intentionally, drastically far from what the owners knew the players would accept. Finally, Bettman confirmed last week that the owners would lock the players out on Sept. 15 – when the current deal expires – if a new agreement isn’t in place.

“There’s only one party here that’s talking about Sept. 15,” Fehr said. “You make of that what you will.”

The players made clear they’re not caving to all of the owners’ demands, but at least their proposal indicated a desire to compromise with the NHL. The NHLPA is still waiting to hear similar rhetoric from the league.

In summary, yesterday, we found out that the NHL owners are not impressed with the NHLPA’s proposal – on the other side of the equation we found out that basically the NHLPA is not impressed with the NHL owner’s stance either.

Donald Fehr said. “I mean, consider what the proposal was. It is ‘Let’s move salaries back to where they were before the lockout started, back the last time.’ That’s basically what it was.

“‘We had a 24 percent reduction last time, let’s have another one.’ That was the proposal. That’s what creates the gulf.”

Gary Bettman said, “So there’s still a wide gap between us with not much time to go. … The sides are still apart – far apart.

It’s time for the NHL and the NHLPA to sit down and work out their difference and to come an agreement on a new CBA. They should make them sit in a room and tell them not to come out until you have an agreement. The owners and the NHLPA shouldn’t take the NHL fans for granted – if there is a lockout – some of these fans will not come back after the work stoppage is over.

Looks like the end of the niceties in the CBA negotiations

Last night, I was out of town at the races in Fargo and during a rain delay I decided to check my twitter feed when I saw these tweets make it’s way across my twitter feed on numerous posts.

Bettman: “still a wide gap between us with not much time to go”

Bettman says after analyzing PA’s proposal the NHL owners understand it “but there is still a wide gap between us with not much time to go.”

Bettman: wide gap remains. In other words, lockout all but certain. No meetings until next Wednesday.

The message is clear that the owners really don’t plan on budging very much on their first proposal and this doesn’t really look like a partnership anymore. Any way you look at this – the players are going to be the losers in the CBA negotiations. It looks more like a shakedown than a negotiation.

Here is a break down on how far apart the two sides are – from TSN

Current system@

Salary cap: $70.2 million

Salary floor: $54.2 million

NHL's proposal@

Salary cap: $55.3 million

Salary floor: $39.3 million

NHLPA's proposal@

Salary cap: $69 million

Salary floor: $53 million

70.2 – 55.3 = 14.9 is a very big gap between the two sides. I am not very optimistic anymore that the two sides can avoid a work stoppage. It doesn’t appear that the owners are going to move off of their stance and I stand by my statement that the owners appear that they want to weaken the players union even further.

Does the OHL commissioner lack transparency?

Last week we found out that the OHL had put the hammer down on the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL – going forward fans were interesting in knowing who were the players that were involved in the Spitfires recruiting and benefits scandal. This is does not seem to be an unreasonable request.

Ontario Hockey League commissioner Dave Branch has said that he isn't going to release the names of the players that were invovled in the scandal.

Apparently, there are a lot of unhappy people to include people in the media – it seems as if Ontario Hockey League commissioner lack of transparency isn’t sitting well with the Media and OHL fans bases.

Bob Duff, The Windsor Star --- This is the plan that Ontario Hockey League commissioner Dave Branch has opted to follow since he revealed Friday that the Windsor Spitfires would be fined $400,000 and docked five draft picks for violating the league's recruitment and benefits policy.

For good or bad, this could prove to be Branch's defining moment in a long and storied career as the man in charge of the OHL.

"To hand out that kind of punishment, you would hope that he must have some pretty rock-solid evidence," suggested one OHL executive, who wisely didn't want to be named.

If Branch doesn't, then all those pro-Spitfires conspiracy theorists who insist Branch is just out to get their favourite team might actually have a point.

This is exactly why he needs to spell everything out in intimate detail.

Apparently the OHL Commissioner Dave Branch doesn't plan on giving out any further details on the matter – which will only add fuel to the fire and cause further speculation.

"I'm not going to give any details," Branch said. "It's not about players. It's about the Windsor Spitfires hockey club."

It’s going to be interesting to see if the shoe drops on any other CHL teams or if the Spitfires are the only team that is going to feel the wrath. I also understand why fans would be upset with Branch for not releasing the details of his investigation because lack transparency it does play into the conspiracy theorists hands.