Courtesy: NHL
Some Quick Hits from around the League that you may find interesting.
– If the NHL has a 50 game schedule the layout will be:
5 vs division teams (20 games)
3 vs 10 conference teams (30)
No games vs other conference
48 games:
7 vs divisional teams (28)
10 vs conference teams (20)
No games vs other conference
– There has been no agreement on the Olympics or World Cup on whether or not NHL players will be allowed to participate. (Ovechkin made it clear a few years ago that he would walk away for a season to play in the Olympics. Let’s see what happens)
– The Coyotes are to be to sold to the Jamison Group and will most likely stay in Phoenix
– With the Salary Cap going to $64.3M, I am still interested to see how that will effect existing contracts and teams that are over that number. Will they have a ‘Make Whole’ provision that will cut the players salaries but pay them back via escrow throughout a few years? Some GM’s are rumoured to have said they would gladly ‘dismantle’ their team to get to $64.3
-Some notable RFA’s that are still not signed:
Jamie Benn – Dallas Stars
Michael Del Zotto – New York Rangers
P.K. Subban – Monreal Canadiens
Ryan O’Reilly – Colorado Avalanche
– What will happen to Roberto Luongo? Rumor was before the lockout that after a new CBA was signed and dotted, Lou would be shipped over to Toronto
– The players have lost over $700 million dollars in salary since November 2nd
– Bettman was set to cancel the season next Thursday if nothing was reached. Rumor has it he was being pressured by sponsors that something be done and soon. Bettman doesn’t hold the reigns with the league, he has 30 bosses that he answers to, but he definitely still has a say in making sure the league either stays afloat or sinks to the bottom. Watch to see if his contract is renewed
– Expansion. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. From what I’ve been reading over the last few months, there are rumors that the league wants to expand following a new CBA. Seattle and Quebec seem to be the frontrunners. What is also interesting is that during negotiations there were proposals on raising the league entry fee which would be, of course, split up between the owners and the players
– Remember: THIS DEAL IS TENTATIVE. Nothings been signed yet, but a framework has been agreed upon. The deal will be written up soon and, barring any disaster, signed and dotted
more to come…
