CBA Update and Just Saying Bettman Sucks

Both the NHLPA and the NHL have said that they are willing to let a lockout cancel the month of October and have the season start around Thanksgiving. Oh, and Gary Bettman can lick a camels ass.

Lockout Update

The players have been told to prepare for the worst, which would of course be a locked out 2012-13 season. Many players are looking overseas to find places to play if there is a lockout, and a lot of good players already have teams to go to.

You Know You're a __________ Fan If...

Last year I did a little segment on another website called "You Know You're a ___________ Fan If...", and I basically listed all of the teams and wrote a few words about something that has do to with their favorite team. It was a hit, being read by about 4,000 people. Since we had a lot of problems with the old website and I had to make a new one, I lost a lot of my old readers and writers (I now have only 2 people contributing besides myself; I used to have 7), therefore it's only right to assume that this years edition won't be seen by as many people. Who knows, maybe by the time next August rolls around and I do another one of these I will have more than the 300 or so thousand people who visited my old website.

Alright, I'll stop wasting your time now. The list is below. Most of these are true or at least very likely. Stuff in parentheses are my own side inputs.

You Know You're a ________ Fan If...

Anaheim: SELANNE'S BACK!!!
Boston: It's Tuukka's net now
Buffalo: Ryan Miller showed flashes of brilliance last year that he has to follow up on
Calgary: We need to win one for Iggy
Carolina: We are going to dominate the Southeast Division this year
Chicago: Ugggh... still stuck with Crawford and Emery
Colorado: Landeskog and Duchene will get us back to the playoffs
Columbus: Lets just say I accidentally skipped a team
Dallas: Jamie Benn is a great player that will lead our team to wins
Detroit: It's up to Smith to replace Lidstrom (Is it even possible to handle that pressure?)
Edmonton: Wow. The Cup is more or less ours in a few years.
Florida: We don't need Jason Garrison. Brian Campbell can get a rock that many goals.
Los Angeles: We are going to repeat (not unlikely at all)
Minnesota: Parise... Suter... PLAYOFFS
Montreal: Price, Subban, Pacioretty, Galchenyuk, and a bi-lingual coach... almost a playoff team again
Nashville: It doesn't matter that we lost Suter, Weber is the one we really care about
New Jersey: We have players that can replace Parise (Kovalchuk is the only one that comes close)
New York Islanders: Tavares is just getting better with time
New York Rangers: Lets start organizing our Cup parade (4-1 odds to win this year; highest in NHL)
Ottawa Senators: While Karlsson is getting better, Spezza and Alfredsson are getting older
Philadelphia: We really got screwed with defensemen this off-season
Phoenix: We lost some people*, but Mike Smith will be good again (only time will tell)
Pittsburgh: A healthy Crosby and Malkin and we are unbeatable
San Jose: Niemi is overrated and Jumbo Joe is running low on time
St. Louis: A healthy Perron and a top of the Western Conference finish
Tampa Bay: A new goalie and some guy named Steven Stamkos might help us do better this year
Toronto: Phil Kessel needs to find consistency in his offensive production
Vancouver: Luongo's finally not starting... ginger, do your thing
Washington: Lost Semin's attitude, and hopefully Ovechkin will return to form under Adam Oates
Winnipeg: Our biggest off-season move was Zach Bogosian changing his jersey number...

*Still waiting to see what happens with Shane Doan

NHL 13

NHL 13 is set to hit stores on September 11. The 21st installment in the NHL video game series has, among many new things and improvements, a new way of rating and ranking players.

Previously, players overall ratings were based on their player types. Now, players are rated for the position they play. For example:

In NHL 12 if you have a player who had good offensive abilities (not Erik Karlsson good, but capable of a 38 point season or so) but absolutely dreadful in all defensive aspects of the game, and they are recognized by the game to be an offensive defenseman, then they will have a decent to good rating, because they are an offensive defenseman with good offensive attributes. However, in NHL 13, such a player would have a lower rating because they would have offensive attributes, but they are recognized solely as a defenseman (disregarding whether or not they are an offensive or defensive defenseman), and the fact that they are lacking in the defensive aspect of their position would bring their grade down significantly more than it did in NHL 12.

Also, there is a new screen to view player stuff. The new rating system is whats most important in this update, but the screen for viewing players looks good too.

Penguins center Sidney Crosby's bio page in NHL 13

CBA Negotiations Update- 8/15/12

The NHL and NHLPA got together for a little more than an hour earlier today following Tuesday's counterproposal from the players' union. NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr met with the media afterwards to give an update on the latest progress in the negotiations.

Based on what was said, it appears that the two sides are still far apart in what they're seeking, as is to be expected considering that each side has so far only given one proposal each. However, the NHL and NHLPA have now both clearly stated their starting points and what they look to get out of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. There is a LOT of work that has to be done before we reach any sort of deal, but at least the two sides are making progress. 

It has been reported that the players have been told to prepare for the worst, which would be a locked out 2012-13 season, but hope for the best. From what it seems, the NHLPA does not want anything to do with a lockout, while the owners and the league are willing to do what it takes to get what they want. Gary Bettman (or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for the hockey fan who does not want to say the name of that awful man) is surely making it seem that the league could care less about a lockout, as long as they get what they want in the end. Then again, we've all grown to the point where anything that man says has less truth and worth than a rotten pile of horse dung.

Anyway, here's the latest from Mr. Fehr.

CBA Negotiations Update- 8/14/12

NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr addresses the media

It's been a little less than a month since the NHL first laid out their proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement, and the NHLPA has finally presented their counter proposal yesterday. We all hope that this counter proposal will be accepted by the NHL and put into use
within the next few days, but it would go against pro sports policy for negotiations of any sort to go nice and peacefully, so it will likely be awhile before any sort of progress is made.

I took a careful look at both the NHL's proposal and the NHLPA's, and the aren't all too different. While there are some differences that most likely will have to be resolved if the two sides are to eventually come to a decision, the two sides aren't as far apart as many people expected they would be (or for the matter as far apart as they were before the 2004-05 lockout). Below are some differences in the two proposals.



     - The NHL's proposal consisted of a five-year CBA while the NHLPA's lasts just three seasons with a players' option for a fourth.

     - The NHLPA agreed to accept a reduced revenue share within the new CBA, but only about $465 million over the course of three years; less than was first proposed last month by the NHL.

     - The NHLPA would like to see zero contract changes in the new CBA. The NHL, remember, listed several regulations they would like to see instilled in their first proposal [5-year limit, equally distributed annual salary (instead of front, middle, or back-loaded deals), no salary arbitration, etc.].

     - The NHLPA would like to see a system where a team can go $4 million over/under the salary cap limitations by adding or trading cap space.

     - NHLPA requested that the League set forth a limit on non-player spending by teams.



Those are all of the main points that will be focused upon heavily when the debate picks up in the coming weeks. Of those differences, the two sides are farthest apart in terms of the third one (contracts), and more than likely that will be the bug hump that the two parties will need to get over. Obviously the players do not want more rules and regulations applied to the contracts they sign, but the League sees it as a circumvention-preventer and, in the long-run, a safer and more secure way of going about doing business.

One positive that came out of this proposal by the NHLPA was NHL commissioner (or tyrant, your choice) Gary Bettman said that the Players Association's proposal was "very thorough" and that the league will take a very close look at it, and they will have their response in about a weeks time.

Another positive was that many of the NHL's star players were present and backing up Fehr as he addressed the media. Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, and PK Subban were among the 23 players present at the press conference. It was a good sign that many of the games stars were there to let the owners know that they mean business, so the NHL better not screw around with crap proposals that favor the league immensely, and they better get to working on a deal that works for both sides fast.

Again, the deadline to get a new CBA constructed  before the season is locked out has been set for September 15.

Bettman Killing the NHL

Commissioner Gary Bettman

Gary Bettman has been the commissioner of the National Hockey League since February 1, 1993, when he replaced Gil Stein, bringing an end to the era of league presidents, and moving towards owner appointed commissioners. There is no denying that he has done done some good for the league and the game of hockey, and that he does
 have intentions to improve the game, but he is single handedly killing the league.

The team owners hired Bettman with the mandate that he would make the game more popular in the United States, complete the plans for expansion, and stop the labor issues between the NHL and the National Hockey League Players Association.

When Bettman took power the league had already expanded to 24 teams, and was about to announce the addition of teams in Florida (the Panthers) and Anaheim [the Mighty Ducks (now called the Ducks)]. Bettman led the league on the Sunbelt Project, a plan to add teams to Southern American areas. Teams were added in Nashville (Predators), Atlanta (Thrashers), Minnesota (Wild), and Columbus (Blue Jackets), bringing the NHL to 30 teams. Bettman also oversaw the relocation of four franchises during the 1990s part of his tyranny, the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas (now the Dallas Stars), the Quebec Nordiques to Denver (now the Colorado Avalanche), the Winnipeg Jets to Glendale (now the Phoenix Coyote), and the Hartford Whalers to Raleigh (now the Carolina Hurricanes). What happened of the teams that came to be under Bettman?

 ‘‘Time is running short, and the owners are not prepared to operate under this collective bargaining agreement for another season, so we need to get to making a deal and doing it soon’’ 
           -Gary Bettman on a possible lockout if no deal is reached by 9/15/12

The Florida Panthers made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996 (where they were swept in 4 games by Colorado). They have been to the playoffs three times since then. The Anaheim Mighty Ducks (now Ducks) won the Stanley Cup in 2007. The Nashville Predators have never lasted 6 games into the second round of the playoffs. The Atlanta Thrashers never won a playoff game, and have since relocated to Winnipeg. The Minnesota Wild have not had any real playoff success, but they are doing well non-the-less (hockey is huge in Minnesota). The Columbus Blue Jackets also haven't won a playoff game, and just finished last in league standings. The Dallas Stars won the Stanley Cup in 1999, but have had a very low attendance recently. The Colorado Avalanche have won two Stanley Cups (1996, 2001), and are doing fine in Colorado. The Phoenix Coyotes just made it to the third round of the playoffs, but they have the worst ownership in sports history, and very low attendance. The Carolina Hurricanes won the Cup in 2006, and are doing fine. There have been five Stanley Cups won in that group, but I tried to keep it positive, and not explain the massive headache that these teams are causing.

 There have been two lockouts under Bettman, one that reduced the 1994-95 season to 48 games instead of 82, and one that cancelled the entire 2004-2005 season. As of right now, Bettman has said that the NHL will once again lockout its players if a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) isn't reached by September 15 (the day the current CBA expires).

Bettman's current salary is $7.984 million, more than the majority of the league's players. That's a pretty big paycheck for someone that could be arrested for two counts of attempted homicide, on on the NHL, and the other on the game of hockey. How do we stop this madness you ask?

Doan Update

It looks as though the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes will finally go through, which means that UFA forward and Phoenix captain Shane Doan will most likely stay in Glendale. Staying with the organization he has spent his entire career with was always his first choice, but he said he wouldn't sign there unless he saw stability in ownership.

Leafs Interested in Veteran Goalie

Word is that the Toronto Maple Leafs are very interested in acquiring a veteran Western Conference netminder. The Leafs, who haven't had a goalie last a full season as their number one since the 2007 season, are most likely considering Calgary Flames workhorse Mikka Kiprusoff.

Kiprusoff usually plays around 70 games for a non-contending Calgary team. The Flames are currently in a "rebuild", although they are trying to hang on to their valuable veterans instead of trading them for younger pieces. Their current goal is to win a Stanley Cup with Jerome Iginla, their 500 career goal-scoring captain. There have been rumors that they might trade him so that he can win a Cup, but no progress has been made on that yet. If the Flames are to trade Kiprusoff to the Leafs, they would most likely want to get young prospects in return.

Apology

I would like to apologize for the lengthy periods of time between some of the posts. It is because I have been doing a lot of traveling lately. That aside, I am going to work on getting an advertisement in The Hockey News magazine for sometime during the regular season.

Shane Doan Down to Six Teams (Including Phoenix)

According to an inside source, UFA forward Shane Doan has narrowed his list of teams down to six. Doan, who has been with the Phoenix Coyotes organization for his entire career, and is currently their captain, has stated and constantly reiterated that his number-one choice would be to stay in Glendale (where the Coyotes play), but he wants to see stability in what has been the worst ownership league-wide for a very long time before he signs with them or not. Aside from Phoenix, Doan has these five teams on his list:

•  Boston Bruins
• New Jersey Devils
• New York Rangers
• Pittsburgh Penguins
• Vancouver Canucks

Doan is 35 years old, and is looking to go to a team that is a contender. Word is that he wants a 4-year deal, but most teams would prefer to give him 2-years. Whatever team Doan goes to, that team would be an all-star forward closer to winning the Stanley Cup.

Weber Situation Illustrates Problem With R-Free Agency

Defenseman Shea Weber

Yesterday the Nashville Predators matched the 14-year, $110 million offer sheet that their captain, RFA defenseman Shea Weber, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. If the Predators did not match the offer sheet, than Weber would be moving to Philly as we speak, and more than likely going there as the replacement for Chris Pronger. Pronger started this year as the captain of the Flyers, but suffered many injuries during the season, including a concussion that sidelined him from December on. Many suspect that Pronger, who won a Cup with Anaheim in 2007, is more or less done with his professional hockey career. 

Pronger is a big, strong, physical defenseman who has an absolute cannon from the point, and does a very good job of clearing opposing players from in front of Philly's net. When the Flyers stole him Anaheim in June of 2009, he was regarded as a perfect fit on the talented Broad Street team's roster. He was a great player on the ice, doing everything that the organization brought him in to do. As well as doing that, he was also a leader on the ice and in the locker room for some of the Flyers younger players. He taught them what it meant to be a pro, how to handle the rigors of an 82 game schedule, and gave them tips on how to make their games better.

That is essentially what Philly would be getting with Shea Weber, only in a much younger (Weber is 26 while Pronger is 37) player. Weber is not as big as Pronger (6' 4" compared to Pronger's 6' 6"), but he is just as strong. He also possesses a much harder shot than Pronger does [he was clocked at 106mph at the 2012 All-Star Skills Competition (I was there!)], and can also rack up more points than Pronger can. 

Nashville was often regarded as a team that is able to survive in the ultra-competitive (with the exception of the Columbus Blue Jackets) Central Division because of the play of its "Big Three". Shea Weber, defenseman Ryan Suter, and goaltender Pekka Rinne kept the team afloat, and without them the franchise would be reduced to nothingness. Nashville was in danger of loosing all three of those players, until they signed Rinne to a 7-year contract earlier this year. However, that still left their two franchise defenseman to be dealt with (Suter was a UFA on July 1st). The Predators did everything in their power to keep their core intact, but eventually lost Suter to a 13-year, $98 million contract to the Minnesota Wild on July 4th. With the departure of his linemate, Weber looked to move on from Tennessee's capital, so he signed with Philly. Then the Preds matched the offer, locking him up for long term. Therein lies the problem.

"Locking him up long term" is a good phrase to describe the situation with Weber and the Predators. He signed a contract to get out of Nashville and go play in Philly, but now is forced to stay and play for the yellow-jersey organization. Usually when a person wants to play for a certain team but is forced to play somewhere else, he isn't all too joyful. And we all know that an NHL arena is not a place where you can just go through the motions because you have too and win games or compete for a championship. If Weber is angered that he has to play for the Predators and he gives even a sliver less that 110%, Nashville will have a hard time being Stanley Cup contenders. 

If this happens, neither the team nor its captain will be satisfied, and we could end up with an NHL version of the Dwight Howard situation. That is why the Shea Weber situation is much more complicated than people see it to be, and why restricted free agency needs to be changed.

The Rangers Tribune Applicattion Paper

            The New York Rangers 2011-12 season was an emotional roller coaster for the fans of the Boys in Blue. They came into the season with a fresh new face in veteran forward Brad Richards who, along with third year sniper Marian Gaborik, was expected to produce more offense for a team that was buoyed by goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for the past few seasons. That much was expected, but it’s safe to say not many people were expecting the kind of success that would ensue in the months following the signing of Richards.

            Derek Boogaard was a fan favorite in the Big Apple. He was not an offensive force, but nobody took liberties with the Rangers, because they knew they would have to answer to him. On May 13, he was suddenly gone. He was found dead due to a fatal combination of painkillers and alcohol. The fans lost a favorite player, and the team lost a teammate, and a friend. It was a tough time for the organization, and they wore his number 94 on the back of their helmets this season as tribute.

            The season started out awful, with no wins on the team’s season opening European tour (part of NHL Premiere). They then played a game at the Nassau Coliseum against the hated New York Islanders. They lost the game, and then boarded a flight to Vancouver, where they won their first game of the season (a 4-0 shutout of the Canucks).

            The Rangers had great success throughout the regular season. Highlights included a come-from-behind win over the Philadelphia Flyers in the Winter Classic, three players representing the team in the All-Star festivities in Ottawa (Lundqvist, Gaborik, and defenseman Dan Girardi), a first place finish in the NHL’s Eastern Conference, making it to the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and Lundqvist winning the Vezina Trophy for best goaltender.

            As stated in the previous paragraph, the Rangers finished in first in the East, meaning they faced the eighth seeded Ottawa Senators in the first round. The Blueshirts fell behind 3-2 in the series, but won two straight games, including a 2-1 game 7 thriller, to advance to the next round against the Washington Capitals (who eliminated the defending champion Boston Bruins).

            The Rangers took game one of the series, with Chris Kreider (signed before the playoffs started) again stunning viewers with his slap shot goal. The series was back and forth, with each team alternating wins. The Rangers took game 7 (again by a score of 2-1), which set up a match with the hated New Jersey Devils.

            The Rangers again started their series of strong, with a 3-0 shutout victory at Madison Square Garden. The Devs took game two, and then the Rangers pulled out another 3-0 win in game three, this time in Newark. Despite being up in the series two games to one, the Rangers lost to the cross-river foes. The Devils took the next three games, and capped off the series with an OT goal by rookie Adam Henrique in game 6 to send the Rangers home, and the New Jersey based team to the Stanley Cup Finals.

            Rangers GM Glen Sather made some impressive moves in the off-season. One key piece of the team, power forward Brandon Prust, left due to the fact that he wanted more then the team was willing to pay him, but Sather replaced him (at least the toughness part) by stealing Michael Haley from the Isles. None of the moves that Sather made could compare to grabbing the biggest name on the trading block. One July 23^rd, Sather shipped Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon, and a draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for power forward Rick Nash, and Steve Delilsle. The Rangers are looking to add Phoenix captain Shane Doan via free agency, which would add more talent to a roster that is already holding the “team to beat” name.

            I am expecting nothing short of a Stanley Cup Finals berth for the Rangers in 2012-13. They made it to the conference finals this past year, but will only be better this time around. Even without Rick Nash, the Rangers would be a better team. Player would have more experience, and a majority of the roster is just now entering their prime. Not to mention players like Kreider, Stepan, and McDonagh already have people knowing that they are future stars in the league.

            With the addition of Nash, the Rangers seem to be the favorites, barring injuries, for the need to plan a victory parade come June. He should nicely address the team’s need for a more physical presence down low, and he can bring some life to an offense that was bone-dry in the postseason.

Crosby to Sign Extension

Sidney Crosby will reportedly sign a 12 year extension with the Pittsburgh Penguin worth an average of $8.7 million a year. Crosby still has a year on his contract, and will sign the extension on July 1st.

Phoenix Interested in Sean Avery

The Phoenix Coyotes are currently in communication with Pat Morris, the agent of ex-Ranger Sean Avery. Avery was released by New York on March 5th, and will be a UFA on July 1st.

Avery is unofficially "retired" from hockey, however. He appeared on the TV show Watch What Happens Live and said "I'm officially retired; I threw my skates in the Hudson (River)", but his agent stated that the comments were "not serious". Avery has not signed official retirement papers, although Rangers GM Glen Sather has sent them to the former... well, I guess still current (he isn't a free agent until 7/1/12), #16.

If the Phoenix Coyotes sign Avery, they will be obtaining a fan favorite, who is hated by every opposition fan with a burning passion. Avery is a speedy fourth liner at best, which can be useful, but the Yotes need to know what they may be getting themselves into.

More to come.

Crawford Update

As of right now, the Corey Crawford to the AHL rumor seems not to hold any truthfulness. The way it is going right now, my Hawks are going to keep their current number one netminder, and will need superior offense to make up for the big gaping hole in net.

Corey Crawford to the AHL?

There is a rumor buzzing around right now that Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford will be sent down to the American Hockey League's Rockford Ice Hogs. The Hogs are the Hawks minor league affiliate, and where Crawford spent his early professional years before being called up to Chicago for the 2010-11 season.

Crawford was sold in his first year in a Hawks sweater, but struggled greatly in his sophomore year in the NHL. He ended up splitting time with free agent signee Ray Emery. Crawford was still regarded as the number one all year, and played every game int the team's first round playoff loss to Phoenix, a series which lasted 6 games.

The idea behind sending Crawford down would be to have hm develop more. New York Rangers defenceman Michael Del Zotto played extremely well in his rookie year with the Blueshirts, but he was, lets be honest, god-awful in his second year with the team. The Rangers sent him to their AHL team in Connecticut, and he spent the year developing. This past season he played the whole year on the Rangers and, as a result of his development, he was one of the Rangers best defencemen, and one of the top offensive-defencemen in the entire National Hockey League.

If the Blackhawks do the same thing with Crawford and they get the same or a similar result as the Rags did with Del Zotto, then the Windy City based franchise will have real stability in net for the first time in as long as anyone can remember (the days of Ed Belfour?)

There is no real news on this yet, so I am unable to confirm anything. As soon as I get another update, I will let you guys know. Stay tuned.

New York Rangers

Right now the Rags are making a very strong push for Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan. They are also in contention for Parise, but not so much Suter.

Hjalmarsson Update

Just a quick update on the Chicago Blackhawks-Niklas Hjalmarsson situation.

A very reliable source had this to say:

"Every tick of the clock leading up to July 1st (NHL Free Agency begins the second the clock strikes 12:00 this day) means that it is more and more unlikely that Niklas Hjalmarsson is going to be traded".

The Hawks were considering trading him to free up cap space to go after a big free agent, presumably Nashville's Ryan Suter.

New Updates

Here are some quick updates on Rick Nash, Zach Parise, the Colorado Avalanche, Paul Gaustad, and Roberto Luongo. 

Nash
Sources say that a Rick Nash deal is getting closer. At this point it seems as if the most likely destination is Toronto.

Parise
Right now there is a 60% chance that Parise, a UFA, signs an extension with the Devils to stay in New Jersey. There is a 30% chance that he signs with another team, but that can easily grow as a result of NJ's issues with capital and the fact that they have a large debt with the National Hockey League. Parise has made it clear that he would love to stay with the franchise he has spent his entire career with, but the Devils may not be able to retain his services.

Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have decided not to send a qualifying offer to free agent forward Peter Mueller. Mueller busted onto the scene with 54 points in his rookie year with Phoenix after being taken with the eight pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Since his rookie year, however, he has been plagued by injury, including a concussion that sidelined him for the entire 2010-11 season.

Also, the Avalanche are rumored to be going after free agent forward Shane Doan. Doan, the captain of Phoenix, has spent his entire career with the Coyotes. It is much more than extremely unlikely that he will be swayed into leaving what has become his team; he is far too loyal to sign anywhere else. There is less than a .001% chance that he leaves Arizona, and that would happen only if the 'Yotes decide not to re-sign him, but as long as he wants to stay they will keep him around.

Gaustad
Word is that Paul Gaustad and the Nashville Predators are very close to a contract extension for the forward that was acquired from Buffalo at the trade deadline.

Luongo
Luongo is going to start next year in either a Panthers or a Lightning jersey, no doubt about it.