Some quick hits from around the league.
Courtesy: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
– The NHL Board of Governors voted on and approved the CBA on Wednesday, now it’s up to the players to vote on Friday and Saturday (I had previously reported that the players voted Wednesday as well. They didn’t. Get over it.) As soon as all 700 votes are tallied, the CBA should be ready to sign and training camps should open up on Sunday. That leaves each team exactly a week to get physicals, medical exams, and practice. The Caps are one team that will have a whirlwind week as brand new Head Coach Adam Oates has to instill a new system in a very limited amount of time, and with no pre-season games to test it before the start of the season, he and the players are going to have to come together quick.
– Brian Burke has been fired from the Toronto Maple Leafs as GM following a 4 year stint that led to zero playoff appearances. Burke has faced a lot of scrutiny after some of his moves, most notably the Phil Kessell trade, and his lack of moves like not bringing in a solid veteran goaltender or help up the middle. He did however build a solid foundation for Toronto to stand on and build itself back up – which is what you’re supposed to do! Many believe he was let go because of his reluctance to trade for Roberto Luongo (because of what he’d have to give up) and that he was at odds with the teams owners because of it (and because Toronto is a very impatient franchise). Dave Nonis will step as GM and they will go after Luongo HARD.
– Speaking of Luongo. Rumors are swirling and dipping and weaving. The Philadelphia Flyers have made it known that they are NOT interested in Luongo, however there are many who believe that is a flat out lie. Sources are saying that GM Paul Holmgren is looking to make a deal to bring Lou to Philly and names like D Nicklas Grossman or even D Luke Schenn have come up in the rumors as going back. What would that mean for Ilya Bryzgalov? A buyout? A tandem of Luongo and Bryz for this year could work especially if Chris Pronger’s $5M comes off the books because of Long Term Injury Reserve (LTIR). Whatever the case, the Flyers regret Bryzgalov and are at least asking Vancouver what it would take to land Lou.
– Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk are playing the KHL All Star Game this weekend. They asked their respective NHL teams for the extra time to play in front of family and friends. There have been a lot of rumors about some Russian players NOT returning from the KHL for a variety of reasons. There was a report that the Russian President Vladimir Putin (yes that’s the leader of the entire country) offered Ovechkin, Datsyuk, Kovalchuk, and Malkin $30M EACH to stay, but apparently the players were talked out of it by the NHLPA. Very interesting. I’d love to know what the NHLPA said to them to get them to come back. Kovalchuk has also said that he would rather finish the season in the KHL but has “contractual obligations” with the Devils.
– The Detroit Red Wings are NOT going to retire Nicklas Lidstrom’s #5…. this year. GM Ken Holland said, “We want to have a night for Nick like we did for Steve Yzerman. To try to put everything together in six weeks — we’re trying to get the business back up and running.” You have to respect that. If they really wanted to lure fans back this year, they would be scrambling to throw this together and have a special night to try and sell tickets that they could upcharge. The Red Wings organization has always been about class and respect and this proves it.
– The Penguins, Lightning and Sabres are all offering deals and incentives for going to see them play. The Penguins are offering vouchers for free concessions and the ability to receive up to 50% off merchandise. The Lightning are offering $200 Season Ticket plans and gift cards. The Sabres are offering reduced ticket prices. It’s a smart move to get the seats filled. Every team should be doing this, right Washington?
– Centre Ice Package. There is a movement on Facebook and Twitter and the rest of the social media world to get the Centre Ice Package made madatory for every NHL fan – for free. Fans everywhere are petitioning the NHL to give us our hockey at no cost this year. If they want fans to watch this would be a VERY smart move.
– Earlier this week, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in the press conference that noted the NHL Board of Governors approved the CBA, made an apology to the Fans by simply saying, “I’m sorry”. He said that there was no explanation he could give to apologize, but that he has been following Twitter and other blogs (no, not this one – you rat) and knows that the NHL has “a lot of work to do” to make it up to us. When asked about his own future, Bettman said that any rumor of his departure is “unfounded speculation” and that he “looks forward to growing the game”. I know it’s hard to come up with new apologies after your THIRD lockout, however this might be his best. It was simple and direct and there wasn’t any fluff. I wonder what he’ll say in the 2023 lockout… At any rate, Bettman has handled this the best he could. He was dealing with owners, players, media and sponsors and trying to play devil’s advocate with the entire situation. Yes it’s his third lockout but he isn’t the one with the issues. The owners and players have been doing this since hockey started (since sports started actually). The reason for the lockouts have all been pretty much the same and it will most likely happen again. Let’s just enjoy what we have for the next 8-10 years and let them battle it out. As Fans, we’re united in that we love the game and we just want to see some f’ing hockey.
Mr. Bettman – apology accepted.
More to come…
