230 replies to this topic

[You Play to Win the Game]

Some good tidbits here from Japers' Rink:

Welcome Home - Compared to the usual toils of an 82-game season, 48 doesn't sound so bad; that is, unless you've already played 30-40 games in another league in the meantime. It's going to be interesting to see how those who went to the KHL or one of the European leagues hold up over the course of the season, to say nothing of the playoffs.

Good point, hadn't really considered that. Altough, is the KHL as physically demanding as the NHL?

Is Backstrom Back? - Nicklas Backstrom missed the last few games of his time in the KHL with what was purportedly a neck injury, and there hasn't been much more info out there about the seriousness of it or whether it's healed. The center didn't seem to be concerned with it in an interview with Aftonbladet (or at least made no mention of it) so conceivably it's all better... but still something to keep an eye on, particularly with his recent concussion.

Stay Just a Little Bit Longer - Even with the compressed schedule, it sounds as if some aspects of the season will be pushed back a bit. One of the biggest changes will likely be to the trade deadline, which is reportedly moving all the way to April 5 (pending approval by the NHLPA). The Stanley Cup Finals also get shoved back a bit, with the Cup now being handed out at the end of June.

http://www.japersrin... ... 013-season

[JeremyStrain]

Good stuff, thanks. I didn't realize that the opt-out wouldn't cost us against the cap. Now, the way I read it was that each team has two options which they can use beginning in the '13-'14 seasons and '14-'15 seasons... so we wouldn't be able to move on Ward until NEXT off-season, correct?

Ah truth, I was reading that as 13 starting now, didn't see the 13-14 part, that would be next year. Makes sense though, with this shortened offseason if teams were cutting guys it'd be chaotic. So we could save a couple mil next year at least. Ward has to be most likely, he'd have to have a heck of a year to be considered otherwise. I much would have rather have Fehr in that role than Ward.

You are looking at:

Ovi-Backstrom-MJ90
Wolski-Ribero-Brouwer
Hendricks-Laich-Chimera
Perrault-Beagle-Ward

Green-Schultz
Alzner-Carlson
Hamrlik-Erskine

Holtby
Neuvy

Going in to camp at least. Then you've got Orlov, Kuznetsov, Forsberg as big time prospects, and there is still hope that Gustovsson would be able to pan out.

[JeremyStrain]

Also, keep in mind that a lot of the injuries you hear about over there, are guys being careful and taking games off because they are ready to go at any minute. Without much detail to it, Nick's injury could just be posturing because a deal was close.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Looks like the board of governors are set to ratify the CBA tomorrow, and the players Thursday (won't fully ratify until Saturday). Training camp is expected to start Sunday, with the season beginning next Saturday. Still no word on schedules. There's speculation that the Caps could open at Verizon Center due to there being nothing scheduled there next weekend.

[McNulty]

Lets go Flyers!!!!!!!!

I want to start some shit talking.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Lets go Flyers!!!!!!!!

I want to start some shit talking.

If the opening day rumors are true (Philly hosting Pittsburgh), I'll be right there with you... for a day at least!

[BSLMikeLowe]

NHL, union still have questions on Olympics

http://espn.go.com/b...ons-on-olympics

The two parties agreed to leave the Olympics out of the CBA, a departure from the last CBA, when Olympic participation was in the deal. They plan to negotiate a separate agreement outside the CBA relating to the Olympics.

That agreement would come about if the NHL and NHLPA can agree to terms of future Olympic involvement with the IIHF and the IOC. Sources tell ESPN.com that the four parties plan to meet over the next month or so to begin discussions. The Sochi Games are less than 13 months away, so it’s a time-sensitive matter.

If I had to venture a guess, I would say NHL players will again be Olympic-bound. The NHL has participated in every Winter Games since Nagano in 1998.

However, it’s not a slam dunk. The NHL and NHLPA both haven’t been thrilled with the way the IOC has treated them in past Olympics. Ironically, after a bitter labor battle, the NHL and NHLPA will be a unified front, very much brothers in arms in their approach with the IOC in these negotiations. Conditions need to improve for the NHL and NHLPA to sign off.

I never knew that the NHLPA had issues with the IOC. But the fact that the league and union are actually united on this makes me optimistic that they can get what they feel is necessary from the IOC. Which is great....I think having NHL players in the Olympics is good for everyone, including the league even though they have to shut down for 2 weeks.

Interesting on bringing back the World Cup. If they do it right then that could also be a good thing for all involved.

[DJ MC]

http://deadspin.com/... ... t=55957726

According to Brooks, Malkin, Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, and Datsyuk were prepared to announce on Friday that they would remain in the KHL regardless of how the latest CBA discussions concluded. Brooks reported that Vladimir Putin himself guaranteed the four players $30 million each to stay. The NHLPA talked the big four out of that deal—presumably by guaranteeing them that labor peace would soon arrive, which it did—but the KHL hasn't quit yet. Malamud reported today that the energy kingpins who own Kovalchuk and Datsyuk's teams are presently preparing more tempting offers to keep them around.

There's also an interesting connection made with the Olympics, to go with BoB's post: because the next Winter Olympics are in Russia, if they screw with the player agreement with the NHL the league may not allow participation.

[BSLMikeLowe]

http://deadspin.com/5974245/the-nhl-barely-dodged-a-putin+backed-russian-mutiny-but-the-league-might-not-be-out-of-the-woods-yet?post=55957726



There's also an interesting connection made with the Olympics, to go with BoB's post: because the next Winter Olympics are in Russia, if they screw with the player agreement with the NHL the league may not allow participation.

Yep, that certainly would violate the agreement between the KHL and NHL. And it could ultimately backfire....the NHL could petition the IIHF (ice hockey's international governing body) to have the defectors barred from participating in the Olympics. Imagine, the Games being played in Russia and the country's best players not on the ice. That would be an embarrassment. Putin might want to think things through a little more. Although that's not really his strong suit.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Wow, very interesting stuff there DJ and BoB.

[DJ MC]

IIHF to talk to NHL about Olympics.

http://prohockeytalk... ... -olympics/

KHL: New CBA means old contracts void.

http://prohockeytalk... ... contracts/

That second one is going to go over well, I think