***Official*** NHL Lockout news thread ***Confirmed***

[Aquaman]

Gretzky won't get involved in labour mess

Canadian Press
11/9/2004

TORONTO (CP) - Wayne Gretzky says it isn't his place to step in and help solve the NHL's labour mess.

The former NHL star realizes there may not be hockey this year but says it's up to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow to end the lockout.

``No,'' Gretzky replied Tuesday when asked if he would get more involved. ``The reality is, I understand what the players are saying because I was a player. And I understand what management and ownership is saying, I am an owner of a team. But this is a complex, complicated situation. There are a lot of issues at stake here, and not just the quote, unquote salary cap.''

Gretzky said he hasn't been involved in the negotiations.

``I don't really know all the insides of that,'' he said. ``That's up to Bob and Gary to hammer out. That's why Gary's our leader and Bob is the leader of the union. It's really up to those two to sit down and figure it out. It's not something that I could go in and fix.''

Gretzky was speaking at a news conference at his downtown Toronto restaurant announcing a charity contest in conjunction with the Wayne Gretzky Foundation and the Canadian Hockey Foundation. Minor hockey teams with financial difficulties are being asked to submit an essay to Hockey Canada and explain what makes their team special.

The two foundations will choose 13 minor hockey teams from the entries and donate Team Canada jerseys, gloves, sticks and $1,000 in cash to help for team development.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Locked out players to skate for charity

Canadian Press
11/9/2004

VICTORIA (CP) - Locked-out hockey players plan to use a charity hockey game next month in Victoria as a way to stay in touch with fans and offer Christmas presents to people less fortunate than themselves, says an NHL player association representative and a retired Vancouver Canuck.

The NHL players and retired NHLers living in the Victoria area will play a charity game Dec. 9 at a 2,500-seat arena designed for Junior A hockey.

Some of the league's top players are already confirmed to play, including New Jersey's Scott Neidermayer, Edmonton Oiler Ryan Smyth, Toronto Maple Leafs Gary Roberts and Joe Nieuwendyk and Canuck Dan Cloutier.

Colorado Avalanche defenceman Rob Blake is also part of the line-up, but his playing status hasn't been confirmed.

``We do these games because we want to give back to the community,'' said Wes Walz, a member of the Minnesota Wild and the NHL team's player association representative.

``We're trying to do things for people and give money and give people an opportunity to watch hockey,'' he said.

The money raised from the Victoria game will go to a Victoria-based charity that plans on brightening Christmas for needy children and families, Walz said.

``We want to see the looks on these kids' faces when we go deliver these gifts to the doors,'' he said.

``We want to see the looks on these parents faces when we can hand the family that can't afford it a $10,000 diabetes pump.''

The Victoria game appears to have become part of a four-game challenge series between groups of locked out NHLers.

Brad May, a Vancouver Canuck journeyman forward, has set up games in Vancouver, Kamloops and Prince George.

The money raised from May's games will go to local charities and the Vancouver-based Canuck Place Hospice House for sick children.

The game in Prince George was originally supposed to pit the NHL players against the Western Hockey League's Prince George Cougars.

But the WHL nixed the plan for insurance reasons. So now, the NHLers will play each other.

In Victoria, May's team will play a team comprised of NHL players who have invested in a Victoria golf, hotel and housing development spearheaded by former NHL player Len Barrie.

Members of Barrie's Bear Mountain Resort team include: Sean Burke, Rob Neidermayer and retired NHL brothers Russ and Geoff Courtnall.

Greg Adams, a retired Vancouver Canuck, said he will suit up for the Bear Mountain squad.

``It's a great opportunity for the guys who are still playing to stay in touch with the fans and keep our relationship with the fans,'' he said.

``They realize that these sort of things are important for them right now in their negotiations.''

Adams, who has been retired for three years, said the players and fans miss the game and need to make opportunities to keep hockey alive.

``This time of year it just feels awkward not sitting down to watch a hockey game somewhere along the line,'' he said.

``It's hard on everyone. Everyone is missing it. No one wants to be playing more than the players themselves.''

The length of the lock-out plays deeply on the minds of the players, but nobody is holding out hope for a quick settlement.

Adams, Walz and Barrie all agree that crunch time for a settlement will be early December, but if nothing happens then, the whole season will likely be lost.

``At some point at the end of the day, when you are negotiating with somebody, you're going to have to have someone to negotiate with, and right now I personally feel like we're having a difficult time getting anyone to negotiate,'' said Walz.''

``I'm 34 years old, and OK I'm getting older, and no one wants a new CBA deal done faster or sooner than me,'' he said.

Tickets for the game will be sold for $30 each and $25 for standing room.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Beliveau: Players making a big mistake

TSN.ca Staff
11/10/2004

Jean Beliveau thinks the NHL players are making a mistake by battling with owners in the current lockout.

According to the Montreal Gazette, Beliveau believes today's players have left the game in bad financial shape which will be passed on to the next generation.

''They're making a big mistake, a terrible mistake,'', Beliveau told the Gazette. ''I've always sided with the players in the past but this time I really believe they're completely wrong. I'm sad to see that players don't seem to believe that 20 or 22 franchises are in deep financial trouble. No business can operate with 75 per cent of its total revenue going to the salary budget.''

Beliveau was a superstar with the Canadiens from 1952 to 1971 before joining the front office and continues to be a widely respected figure in hockey circles. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.

''Some players say they want to give back to those who will follow them,'' Beliveau told the Montreal newspaper. ''I can speak for players of my generation, who really had the game in mind. When we left hockey, it was in great shape. Those who follow today's players will face a very serious situation because the game will be in very bad shape, financially and otherwise.''

Beliveau has little sympathy for the owners either, siding more with the numerous people who have lost their jobs as a result of the lockout and the fans who have no hockey to watch.

''Those who love hockey and don't have other interests must really be suffering,'' Beliveau told the Gazette. ''But wait until the weather gets worse, football is over, and these people come home from a long day's work to watch a good hockey game - and there is none.''

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Swedish league booming during NHL lockout

Canadian Press
11/10/2004

STOCKHOLM (CP) - The NHL lockout is proving to be a boon for Swedish hockey.

With no end in sight for the NHL's labour impasse, more than 55 players have already committed to Swedish Elite League teams and more are expected to follow.

It's a dream come true in Sweden, the chance of a lifetime for the country's players, fans and league.

``This is in the best interest of Swedish hockey,'' said HV 71 forward Andreas Karlsson, who played 153 games with the Atlanta Thrashers before returning to Europe in 2003. ``I think it's great to have big guys and more talent here, especially if the lockout lasts the whole year and they stay.''

The way things are going, it probably will. The NHL and NHLPA haven't met since Sept. 9 and currently have no further plans to resume negotiations.

In the meantime, more than 250 of the league's players have signed with European teams, drawing criticism from some who say they are stealing jobs.

Not in Sweden.

``I like it because it's a new challenge,'' said Sodertalje captain Joakim Eriksson, who is playing in his eighth Swedish league season. ``The league is much better and the fans are excited.''

The majority of players displaced in Sweden so far have been younger ones who have been bounced to junior clubs.

Eriksson says he hopes Swedish teams limit their NHL content to four or five players each.

``Any more than that is too much," he said, noting that Sweden hasn't won a medal at the world junior championships since taking silver in 1996. ``Some of the young guys still need a chance to play in the (Elite League) and it's good if they can play with these top guys.''

Arenas throughout Sweden have been jammed every time 2003 NHL MVP Peter Forsberg and his Swedish team, MoDo, come to town. A sellout crowd of more than 13,850 packed the Globen Arena in October when MoDo visited Djurgardens. One scalper said he was selling tickets for 600 kroner ($102.55 Cdn) that night - a huge markup on their 230 kroner ($39.30 Cdn) face value. It was just the 10th game of 50 for both teams.

``The fans are excited because they know this is the season that will never come again,'' said journalist Ore Ost, who covers Timra for the Sundsvall Tidning newspaper.

Djurgardens is one of the few teams yet to see a windfall. Soccer is the top game in Stockholm and that season ended just last week. The hockey team was averaging just 6,352 fans through last week at the league's largest arena in the country's largest city.

Elsewhere, the game is flourishing: Frolunda, which is on top of the Swedish standings, was averaging over 11,000 fans per night through last week; Linkoping, with Vancouver Canucks centre Brendan Morrison leading the way, was drawing about 7,500 to its new arena; and tickets for games at the Sydkraft Arena in Timra are nearly impossible to get.

``The teams are all so deep now,'' said 11-year NHL veteran Kent Manderville, who is playing his second season in Timra. ``Last year it was much more diluted. It's like a whole new league.''

Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch thinks that's a bad thing. Hirsch made headlines recently when he called the NHLers playing in Europe scabs after losing his starting job with the Swiss team Langnau to Martin Gerber of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Those comments don't seem to resonate in Sweden.

``No one is complaining here,'' said former NHL defenceman Calle Johansson, who now works as an analyst for Swedish TV. ``Why should they? It's good for everyone right now.''

Especially now that everyone is getting in on the act. HV 71, the 2003 Swedish champions, chose not to sign any NHLers at the outset of the season before a 7-7-3 start forced their hand. Defencemen Bryan McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anders Ericksson of the Columbus Blue Jackets and goalie Brian Boucher are to join the team this month after the league resumes from a 12-day break for the Karjala Cup in Finland.

``Of course they'll be welcomed,'' Karlsson said of his new teammates. They're part of the team now. They're all great players and we need their help.

``This is probably the best league in the world right now.''

Cheers.
Aquaman

 

[maddogchen]

you should create a poll...see how many people actually got turned away from hockey and will never go back because of this mess.

 

[Aquaman]

Wirtz says NHL season is slipping away

TSN.ca Staff
11/11/2004

Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz says the current NHL lockout is the "saddest thing in the world" but he stopped short of offering any more opinions on the subject.

"It's a difference of philosophies," Wirtz told reporters in Chicago reluctantly when pressed on the subject.

"No one wants to read the Levitt report unless you recognize what the problem is. I know what the problem is. I have to put in the money every year."

NHL owners have not been as vocal as some players when it comes to speaking about the lockout due to the threat of huge fines being levied by commissioner Gary Bettman.

Wirtz did not offer much optimism for a settlement in the dispute anytime soon.

"The commissioner said the season is slipping away, and it is," Wirtz said.

While the two sides have not scheduled any new meetings, a group of player agents and union boss Bob Goodenow are scheduled to meet next Wednesday in Chicago.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

La Presse: Damphousse disagrees

TSN.ca Staff/CP
11/11/2004

Former Montreal Canadiens captain Vincent Damphousse has taken issue with Habs legend Jean Beliveau's public comments about the NHL lockout. Earlier this week, the Hall of Famer blamed the players for the league's financial problems, and Damphousse told Montreal's La Presse that such assertions are incorrect.

"I have a lot of respect for Mr. Beliveau, but I don't agree with his opinion when he says it is the players who have put hockey in trouble," Damphousse said in La Presse. "I heard him say that he doesn't have all the information and that he based his opinion on what he's heard. But what's he's been hearing isn't favourable to the players and it's like that across Canada."

Beliveau made news this week when he said the players were "making a terrible mistake" by not making enough concessions to end the lockout.

"It's not the players who put hockey in trouble," said Damphousse, a member of the NHL Players' Association executive. "The owners say that themselves. They're the ones who made bad decisions and who lacked discipline. We negotiate our contracts, but the owners set the budgets. And when contracts are signed, both sides seem happy."

Damphousse noted that the players have offered concessions to reduce payrolls, including the lowering of rookie salaries and bonuses and an across-the-board salary reduction of five per cent. The owners have rejected these ideas.

"People seem to forget that we're aware of the problem and we want to improve things," Damphousse told La Presse. "We have made concessions since the beginning."

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Forbes disputes NHL's reported losses

TSN.ca Staff with Forbes, Star-Tribune files
11/12/2004

A report released in the latest issue of Forbes Magazine suggests that the National Hockey League is losing money - but not nearly as much as the owners claim.

The article, written by Forbes senior editor Michael Ozanian in the Nov. 29 issue, says that 17 teams lost money, and the average team lost $3.1 million US for total league operating losses of $93 million US (before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) on revenue of $2.2 billion US during the 2003-04 campaign.

The NHL has claimed $224 million US in losses for last season.

The article also states that the NHL lost $123 million US on revenue of $2.1 billion US for the 2002-2003 season, a stark contrast from the $273 million US in losees reported by financier Arthur Levitt in February.

"Forbes is once again pulling numbers out of thin air," NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly told the Minnesota Star-Tribune.

"I would suggest that they would have been far better advised to read the Levitt Report, as its author had complete and unfettered access to all 30 of our clubs' financial information."

According to Forbes, the difference between what the league is stating as losses and the magazine's own figures has to do with inconsistencies on what's included as revenue.

As an example, Forbes cites that the NHL included only half of the $17 million US the New York Islanders got last year for their cable broadcasts. The magazine states that for the team's ownership - who paid $188 million US for the Islanders and their cable deal in 2000 - the economic value of owning the team would include the entire cable deal.

In the article, Ozanian said Forbes spoke with bankers, broadcast sources and league sources while studying arena leases, ticket sales and prices.

Levitt's study - which endorsed the NHL's central accounting - said that only 11 of the NHL's franchises actually turned a profit for the 2002-2003 season, while the remaining 19 reported losses averaging $18 million US a team. Of those 19 teams, four suffered operating losses of over $30 million US, two were in the $20-29.9 million range, six were between $10-19.9 million, another six suffered losses of $5-9.9 million, and once took losses of less than $5 million. Of the 11 other teams, only two saw profits of over $10 million US, with four in the $5-9.9 million range, and five with just under $5 million in the black.

According to Forbes, the Toronto Maple Leafs led the league in operating income with $14.1 million last season, followed by the Minnesota Wild's $11.5 million.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Forbes magazine says NHL overstating its losses

NEW YORK (CP) - Forbes magazine says the NHL's financial losses weren't nearly as bad as stated by the league over the last two years.
In a report for its Nov. 29 edition, the business magazine - which did not have access to all of the 30 teams' financial records - estimates the league lost a combined $96 million US last season, not $224 million as reported by the league. For 2002-03, when the NHL stated losses of $273 million, Forbes estimates the losses were actually around $123 million.

Why the difference? Forbes says several NHL teams aren't accounting for all their revenue. The magazine says, for example, that the NHL included only half of the $17 million the New York Islanders got last year for their cable broadcasts.

The NHL was not impressed.

"The Forbes article is factually inaccurate in numerous respects and is not based on any of the actual information that would be needed to support its claims," Bill Daly, the NHL's executive vice-president and chief legal officer, told The Canadian Press on Friday. "It is nothing short of irresponsible journalism."

Countered Ted Saskin, NHLPA senior director, in a statement Friday: "Forbes is a highly respected publication by everyone in business, including NHL owners and their investment bankers who use Forbes' analysis and valuations when they buy and sell teams. The independence and the integrity of Forbes is unquestionable."

The NHLPA has long maintained that it believed the league was exaggerating its losses, which is a big reason collective bargaining has grounded to a halt. The lockout is into its eighth week with no meetings scheduled in the near future.

"It is no surprise that Forbes found the NHL has vastly overstated its losses by not including all of the revenues earned by NHL teams," Saskin said. "We agree with Forbes' conclusion that the NHL should show more transparency and disclose all of an owner's sources of revenue in their financial reporting. We have been saying the same thing for many years."

The NHL stands by its numbers, pointing to the league-commissioned audit by former Securities & Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt last year. Levitt's study found NHL clubs lost $273 million in 2002-03.

Forbes says it spoke with bankers, broadcast sources and league sources while studying arena leases, ticket sales and prices.

"I can't really comment on the numbers, because I don't know where they come from," Stars president Jim Lites told the Dallas Morning News. "Forbes has never once asked for one number concerning our business."

The magazine also says the Toronto Maple Leafs ranked first overall in the NHL in operating income last season, pulling in $14.1 million US. The Minnesota Wild were second at $11.5 million.

The Montreal Canadiens were fifth in operating income, according to Forbes, at $7.5 million while the Edmonton Oilers were seventh overall at $3.3 million.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Miller: Forbes report a boost for NHLPA

Gord Miller, TSN.ca Staff
11/12/2004

After taking an almost daily pounding for the last two months, the Forbes Magazine report is a welcome piece of good news for the NHL Players Association, as it backs up what the union has been saying for years - that NHL teams vastly underreport income and as a result, vastly overstate their losses.

A widely respected financial publication, Forbes says the league lost $96 million US last season, as opposed to $224 million US as reported by the NHL.

The league of course, strongly disagrees, pointing out that Forbes did not have access to the team's books, and that Arthur Levitt's report on team finances did include many of the things that Forbes says are missing.

Perhaps the best example of the disparity is the Los Angeles Kings, a team that Forbes said made $7.5 million US two years ago. Reading that, a fan of the team who worked in the financial industry challenged the Kings to open their books to him.

Surprisingly, they did.

The fan emerged from the process and concluded that the Kings had in fact lost more than $11 million US that season, as opposed to the $7 million US profit as reported by Forbes.

But the magazine report underlines the basis of the dispute between the owners and players, who cannot agree on the financial condition of the hockey business, and therefore have no basis to begin talking about how to fix it.

The Forbes report is being dismissed by the NHL, and it may not have much of an impact on public opinion.

It is, however, a godsend to the NHLPA.

By underlining the points it has been making all along, it allows the Players' Association to further unify its already strong membership, and it also gives the them an independent, respected source to quote when making its case in public.

Far from shedding new light on the NHL's situation, the Forbes report only serves to further galvanize the two sides, making the possibility of a solution this season - already a longshot - even more remote.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Agents: Don't expect much at NHLPA talks

Canadian Press
11/15/2004

Don't expect Wednesday's meeting between the NHL Players' Association and more than 100 player agents to kick-start labour talks.

"No, not at all," agent Don Meehan said Monday in Toronto. "I don't expect that in any respect. What I expect, really, is a report and a meaningful session in terms of where the association is, by giving us as much up-to-date information as they can."

NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow isn't going to Chicago to get direction from agents. In fact, he's the one who's going to be telling the agents where he's at and where he's going.

"I guess we'll get a little more texture, and there may be some back and forth, but it will be very informational in nature," agent Don Baizley said Monday from Winnipeg. "I'm not expecting this to be a major turn of events. That certainly didn't happen in '94."

Goodenow held similar meetings with agents 10 years ago during the last lockout. But that was a different time. Both the union and the league knew deep down that a season would ultimately be saved.

That's not the case this time around. With owners having saved up $300 million US to survive an entire year without hockey and the players in turn having also saved up massively over the last four years, both sides seem intent on letting the season go by the wayside while they remain stuck on their positions.

That has some agents fretting on the sidelines although no one dares publicly question the union leadership. Negotiators by trade, some agents believe they could get labour talks going if given a chance.

But that's not going to happen. This is Goodenow's ship.

"Everyone is anxious for progress, the fans, the players and yes, of course, the agents," agent J.P. Barry of IMG said Monday from Calgary. "Nonetheless, it is the NHLPA and not the agents who negotiate the CBA. It is their mandate and they have been preparing for this negotiation for at least five years."

Baizley, whom many younger agents have turned to for advice and leadership, believes it would be wrong for agents to publicly question Goodenow's game plan.

"We've got to support the negotiators," said Baizley, who has represented NHL players for 32 years. "We have to have negotiators negotiate on our behalf, we can't have 30 or more different negotiators, 30 different ideas. It has to be done this way."

It's still worth the trip to Chicago for agents, who have largely been left in the dark throughout the collective bargaining process.

"I have no idea what's going to happen. It's going to be an interesting day," agent Anton Thun said Monday from Mississauga, Ont.

"I'm hoping that it's a process that will either confirm to me in a reasonable manner why we are at the stage that we are, or maybe provide some type of solution to the problem. I don't know that either of that is going to happen to be honest."

But Barry said the league must be prepared to negotiate - in other words, get off their hard salary cap stance - before anything can happen.

"At some point in time I hope the owners will realize that their commissioner's PR campaign and non-negotiation strategy has been a useless exercise and that it only serves to further damage their own businesses and the assets that are the core of their businesses - the players," Barry said.

"It's time they focused on seeking a compromise with the NHLPA and saving a season that is quickly slipping away."

The NHL had no comment when reached Monday.

Through Monday night, 218 NHL games have been scrapped by the lockout. The two sides haven't held bargaining talks since Sept. 9 in Toronto.

"I expect Bob to provide us with his analysis of the approach taken by the NHL in these negotiations to this juncture and what he expects will follow in the near future," said Barry. "I'm sure we will also get an in-depth analysis of the murky issues of revenue, profits, and losses among our franchises that have been the focus of the NHL's orchestrated public relations campaign."

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Daly, Goodenow on TSN this week

TSN.ca Staff
11/15/2004

Two key players in the NHL lockout will be appearing on TSN this week, with National Hockey League Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Bill Daly as a guest on a special edition of Off The Record, and an interview with NHL Players' Association Executive Director Bob Goodenow on a special edition of Molson That's Hockey.

TSN's Gord Miller sits down with Goodenow for a one-on-one interview on Wednesday at 7 pm et/4pm pt, immediately following Goodenow's scheduled meeting with player agents in Chicago.

Hosted by Gino Reda, the 30-minute show also features Miller conducting a sit-down interview with high-profile and powerful player agents Don Meehan and Don Baizley.

Two weeks ago, Miller conducted a special one-on-one interview with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York, in which Bettman stated, "The season is in danger of slipping away."

Daly's special appearance on Off The Record can be seen Tuesday at 7 pm et/4pm pt, his second appearance on TSN during the lockout. He participated in one of two separate TSN Hot Seat segments (the second with NHLPA Senior Director Ted Saskin) on Oct. 12.

The NHL lockout has just passed the 60-day mark, and both sides have not met to discuss a new collective bargaining agreement since Sept. 9.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Daly discusses lockout issues on TSN

TSN.ca Staff
11/16/2004

Just a month after appearing on the NHL on TSN Hot Seat, Bill Daly was on a hot seat of a different sort on Off the Record with Michael Landberg.

The NHL Vice President and Chief Legal Officer appeared on a special prime time edition of the show on Tuesday to discuss the latest issues around the NHL lockout with Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Paul Godfrey, player agent Mike Gillis and Erie Otters Owner/GM and former NHL team executive Sherry Bassin.

You can watch it on TSN tonight at 7pm et/4pm pt and 11:30pm et/8:30pm pt.

Daly was on the defensive right off the top of the program, amid some issues around a Forbes magazine report saying that the NHL did not lose as much money as it has reported over the last two years.

In a report for its Nov. 29 edition, the business magazine - which did not have access to all of the 30 teams' financial records - estimates the league lost a combined $96 million US last season, not $224 million as reported by the league. For 2002-03, when the NHL stated losses of $273 million, Forbes estimates the losses were actually around $123 million.

"It's a magazine article they do every year, they're wrong every year, and they didn't have access to all our financial work papers or financial records of any of our clubs or the league as a whole, said Daly."

"I don't think Forbes has a diffeent definition of hockey revenuies than we do. I read ther aritcle and there were several specific assertions in there that were flat out wrong with respect to what clubs report, what they don't report and how that reflects the league-wide numbers."

Other debates from the show included whether or not large contracts like that of Rangers forward Bobby Holik sets the bar for other big contracts and what needs to be done to get the NHL and NHLPA back to the bargaining table.

Another question that was brought up was whether it hurt Daly - who grew up as a big Rangers fan in New York - when fans approach him and blame him for playing a part in the lockout.

"I think it does," Daly said. "But most of our fans understand that what we're trying to do is build for the long-term for this game and we're trying to safeguard this game's future."

The NHLPA will address the latest developments on the NHL Lockout on Wednesday, when TSN's Gord Miller sits down with Exceutive Director Bob Goodenow for a one-on-one interview on Wednesday at 7 pm et/4pm pt, immediately following Goodenow's scheduled meeting with player agents in Chicago.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[rh71]

I NEED TO PAY FOR MY NHL CENTER ICE DAMNIT !

 

[Grey]

I miss hockey, sigh. It kills me having to run a hockey site and there is nothing to talk about.

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: rh71
I NEED TO PAY FOR MY NHL CENTER ICE DAMNIT !

At least TSN is showing classic nhl games Like game 6 of Canucks vs Rangers 94 finals

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Aquaman

Originally posted by: rh71
I NEED TO PAY FOR MY NHL CENTER ICE DAMNIT !

At least TSN is showing classic nhl games Like game 6 of Canucks vs Rangers 94 finals

Cheers,
Aquaman

My eyes! Those jerseys! My eyes !!!!!

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Aquaman

Originally posted by: rh71
I NEED TO PAY FOR MY NHL CENTER ICE DAMNIT !

At least TSN is showing classic nhl games Like game 6 of Canucks vs Rangers 94 finals

Cheers,
Aquaman

My eyes! Those jerseys! My eyes !!!!!

What are you talking about ............ they are the "Skate" jersey........ not the "V" jersey

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Agents meeting with NHLPA under way

Canadian Press
11/17/2004

CHICAGO (CP) - The NHL Players' Association was holding court with player agents Wednesday in the Windy City.

More than 60 agents, including such heavy hitters as Don Baizley, Don Meehan, J.P. Barry, Pat Morris, Michael Gillis, Brian Lawton and Rick Curran made their way into a conference room at an airport hotel shortly before 10 a.m. EST and were expected to wrap up discussions at around 2 p.m.

They were joined by NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow, senior director Ted Saskin, associate counsel Ian Pulver and outside counsel John McCambridge.

Not present was hockey legend turned agent Bobby Orr, who earlier this month challenged the union and the league to get back to the bargaining table. Orr's agency was represented at Wednesday's meeting by Curran.

The union hasn't held bargaining talks with the NHL since Sept. 9 in Toronto. The lockout entered its ninth week Wednesday.

The point of the meeting is to update agents on the latest issues surrounding the NHL lockout and further explain the union's game plan, although the union insists it keeps agents informed around the clock.

``I expect we will have a good meeting, it's always good to have an opportunity to get together in a large group,'' Saskin said Wednesday before entering the meeting. ``But as I've said before there's constant communication with agents. It's not as if we needed this meeting to share our thoughts and ideas.

``In that respect I don't expect anything new.''

The NHLPA's executive committee, made up of players, was also at the meeting: president Trevor Linden and vice-presidents Bob Boughner, Vincent Damphousse, Daniel Alfredsson, Bill Guerin, Trent Klatt and Arturs Irbe.

The NHLPA met with more than 70 players Nov. 2 in Toronto and plans a bigger meeting with over 200 players in the first two weeks of December, also in Toronto.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Aquilini buys 50 percent of Canucks

Canadian Press
11/16/2004

VANCOUVER - The Aquilini Investment Group has purchased 50 per cent of the Vancouver Canucks from American John McCaw.

The purchase price was not immediately disclosed.

The Aquilini Investment Group, a commercial and residential real estate company, is headed by Francesco Aquilini.

The announcement was made at news conference at GM Place on Wednesday.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Agents support NHLPA leadership

Canadian Press
11/17/2004

CHICAGO (CP) - Bob Goodenow won over some heavy hitters in the hockey world Wednesday.

A little more than two weeks after putting on a united front following a high-profile player meeting, the executive director of the NHL Players' Association wooed some of the game's most influential people.

More than 60 agents left Wednesday's five-hour meeting with the NHLPA brass seemingly galvanized by what they had heard.

``The people walk out of here today confident and comfortable with the people driving the bus,'' said veteran agent Don Baizley.

That's all-important for Goodenow, who can't afford to have agents undermine him with their own players.

Agents, especially the top ones like Baizley, Don Meehan, J.P. Barry, Pat Morris, Brian Lawton, Michael Gillis, Rick Curran and Pat Brisson, have tremendous sway with their clients and could have easily been a threat to the NHLPA's stability in its fight with owners.

Of course the agents represent one side in this labour battle. And they are unlikely to support a salary cap.

The meeting, however, allowed Goodenow to detail the NHLPA's position while making the agents - some of whom are not short on egos - feel part of the process.

It seemed to work. Whatever grumbling some agents privately shared before Wednesday seemed to have disappeared after meeting Goodenow, senior director Ted Saskin and associate counsel Ian Pulver of the NHLPA.

``It's safe to say that 100 per cent of the agents in that room are behind Bob Goodenow,'' said agent Ritch Winter.

Goodenow tried to downplay the need to sway some agents.

``It wasn't so much getting everyone on the same page, it was more of an update,'' he said.

So what now? No talks are scheduled with the NHL - they haven't had any since Sept. 9 - but one can expect the union to table a proposal to the league in the next month or so.

And the union can move forward knowing it has the support of the agents.

Meehan, a major power broker in the game who negotiated on behalf of on-ice officials during their strike with the league in 1992, acknowledged some concerns coming into Wednesday's meeting at a Chicago airport hotel.

He left feeling much better about what the union was doing to end the lockout.

``My own impression is one of sincerity on their behalf to have a successful resolution not only for the players and the owners but for the fans as well,'' Meehan said. ``I was very pleased in relation to the steps they've taken and the information they shared today.''


No subject was out of bounds in the amphitheatre-like room. Everything from mediation to replacement players was broached. And what really seemed to win over the agents was the amount of information provided by the union.

``It was a very thorough presentation,'' said Morris. ``Definitely today the best thing was the sharing of information. We were almost taken through what's happened to a year ago.''

Goodenow said there's no better way to make a case than ``just to show them the actual documents, to show them exactly what has gone back and forth between the parties, there's nothing like seeing the real thing.''

And that included actual correspondence between the league and the union, material never seen before by most agents.

Said Barry: ``They did a really good job of putting substance to things we were wondering about. I think a lot of detail that we needed to know we now know.''

The message was unanimous from the agents leaving the room Wednesday. They felt the league was responsible for the current lack of negotiations by refusing to budge from their ``cost-certainty'' stance.

The league insists it is ready to negotiate at any time, but the union says that offer only stands if the NHLPA is ready to talk salary cap.

``My assessment today is that there's a position taken by Gary Bettman that's singular,'' Meehan said. ``In my view, I'm positive that there's a possibility of a resolution given that the NHLPA is legitimately trying to make measures to meet their needs. But they're not prepared to accept dictation on one position and one position alone.''

And that opened the eyes, Barry said, of some agents who may have come to Chicago frustrated with both sides for the lack of negotiating.

``I think they better understand the enormity of what the league is seeking, how radical a change they want and that they're really not seeking a compromise,'' Barry said. ``How do you negotiate in the face of another side that really doesn't want to compromise?''

In short, agents believe the union when it says the league is trying to hit a home run instead of trying to find middle ground.

The union also made its case on the impact of a salary cap.

``I think NHL teams and their fans should know that if a $33.4-million US cap was put into place, when the 2005-06 season starts, there would be 14 teams in the NHL that couldn't sign another player over and above their current market place,'' Morris said.

``The Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2005-06 season would have $36 million tied up, would have to dump players and have only nine players on the roster.''

The NHLPA's executive committee, made up of players, was also at the meeting: president Trevor Linden and vice-presidents Bob Boughner, Vincent Damphousse, Daniel Alfredsson, Bill Guerin, Trent Klatt and Arturs Irbe.

``I thought the way the meeting went was really beneficial,'' said Linden. ``The questions were to the point, not unlike a lot of questions we had in our players' meeting. The answers were given and there was good communication. I think it benefited everyone involved.''

The NHLPA met with more than 70 players Nov. 2 in Toronto and plans a bigger meeting with over 200 players in the first two weeks of December, also in Toronto.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

McKenzie: Agents, PA on same page

TSN.ca Staff
11/17/2004

Wednesday's meeting between the NHLPA and the player agents in Chicago was an interesting meeting because the agents, going into this meeting, felt a little bit disengaged with the whole collective bargaining process. They weren't aware of a lot of the things that were going on between Bob Goodenow and the National Hockey League and vice versa, only what they read in the newspaper.

It was an opportunity for the agents to get some firsthand exposure to what was going on and, to a man, they came out and talked about how open the information was and the access of information that they were getting from Bob Goodenow and the NHLPA.

As a result, they're very much on the 'no cost-certainty' bandwagon, at this point in time, and are 100% behind Bob Goodenow on that now that they have more information. Perhaps that's to be expected.

On another front, all the agents are part of the NHLPA certification program and there are certain rules and regulations that, to be an agent, you have to follow.

A couple of agents are already saying that there has been an amendment proposed -- and I stress proposed; it's not put through yet -- that no player agent that is part of the NHLPA certification program, which is basically all of them at this point, would be able to negotiate with any league -- any generic league -- that doesn't have a collectively bargained agreement with a players association.

What that means, between the lines, is this: everybody assumes that there is going to be impasse and implementation and we may be looking at a National Hockey League with replacement players. If the proposal that is on the table goes through, that would prevent agents from negotiating new contracts with the NHL for replacement players or any players from the NHLPA that decide they might want to cross the lines.

It's a little pre-emptive strike, potentially, by the NHLPA to prevent these agents from profiting or having any incentive or reason to negotiate contracts on behalf of players who would be going to the "new NHL" of impasse and implementation.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Roenick calls for action in TV rant

TSN.ca Staff with files
11/18/2004

Philadelphia Flyers centre Jeremy Roenick, to no surprise, pulled no punches on Wednesday as he was given the chance to rant on the NHL lockout on Fox Sports' popular Best Damn Sports Show Period.

Given 30 seconds to vent his feelings, the veteran forward openly demanded that NHLPA Executive Director Bob Goodenow and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman head back to the bargaining table to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.

"Gary Bettman, you should be banging on Bob Goodenow's door, demanding to negotiate right now," he said.

"Get into a room, lock the door, and don't come out until there's a deal."

Roenick also addressed the NHL's waning popularity in the United States, made worse with no season and no exposure.

"People don't care right now," he added. "People are watching football; they're watching basketball. They don't care that hockey's not on TV right now. But...Bob Goodenow and Gary Bettman, you should care about two things: the fans and the state of the game. And if you don't get this deal done soon, you're going to lose them both."

Roenick added that he didn't believe there would be a season.

"(The players) are mad because of the lack of negotiations," he said. "Nobody has talked. And I don't understand why nobody has talked...They're mad at Gary Bettman, because Gary Bettman is really putting on a hardball stance right now, and he's being tough, and you don't act tough like that to hockey players."

The comments came just hours after the NHLPA met with more than 60 player agents in Chicago to provide updates and additional information on the union's stance.

Both the league and the Players' Association haven't met since Sept. 9.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Miller: What happens to 2005 draft?

Gord Miller, TSN.ca
11/18/2004

When Wayne Gretzky entered the NHL in 1979, he did so without going through the National Hockey League draft.

And now it could happen again, a quarter of a century later, to much-talked about teen phenom.

With the NHL and the NHLPA still embroiled in their bitter labour dispute, it's quite possible that Sidney Crosby, and all of the 2005 draft class, could find themselves without a draft to go to.

"If there's no draft, no CBA at that point, we're going to have to explore our options," said Pat Brisson, one of Crosby's agents.

"From a legal standpoint and a practical standpoint this is going to be a big issue if the season is cancelled in January and there is no draft."

J.P. Barry, who also represents Crosby, added,"We have people talking to experts in labour law and anti-trust law and they are getting opinions because we don't know what is going to happen.

"Can you have a draft when you don't have a CBA," Barry asked, before answering, "I don't think so."

"What happens to those players is up in the air right now."

The legal issues are considerable and could find themselves dragged through courts for months, if not years. Still, the prospect of Crosby and all of the 2005 draft class being unrestricted free agents is, at the very least, intriguing to a lot of agents.

"In hockey we're used to looking at free agents at 31, but if Sidney Crosby becomes an unrestricted free agent at age 18, it would definitely be the ultimate feeling," said Brisson bearing a wide grin.

No matter what happens, Crosby's handlers have reason to smile. If the lockout is settled, he'll be the number one pick in the NHL draft. If it isn't, there will be a long line of teams bidding for his services -- on both sides of the Atlantic.

He could sign with any European team, or sign in the American Hockey League as a free agent, and there's even talk of a new North American league starting up next fall and Crosby would clearly be the crown jewel.

Where won't Sidney Crosby play? It seems unlikely that he'll return to major junior hockey next year. Most people believe he's outgrown the Quebec Major Junior League. If the NHL returns next season withe replacement players, don't look for Crosby to play in that league, either. Crosby's people say that if NHL regulars aren't in the league, then he won't be either.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[SaigonK]

Where won't Sidney Crosby play? It seems unlikely that he'll return to major junior hockey next year. Most people believe he's outgrown the Quebec Major Junior League. If the NHL returns next season withe replacement players, don't look for Crosby to play in that league, either. Crosby's people say that if NHL regulars aren't in the league, then he won't be either

Actually it is very likely he would return, I dont believe he has outgrown the leaugue at all, in fact there are many teams who he has not been very successful against at all this year.

If someone says the believe he is above that league, then they dont watch very many games, there is no doubt in my mind that Crosby is good, but he plays on a team and in a league that protects him 24/7, unlike the CHL/NHL or European leagues, where he will have to take hits and what not..

He isnt a physical player by any means, and i dont think you can base all of his skill on the fact that he can put up points, what about the first time he takes a real check or has to defend himself on the ice, I can imagine him getting hurt.