Additional confirmation: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=130240 We just need ratification from the players...if they vote this thing down, I simply don't know what I would do.
Apparently the Players Union will allow the NHL to have a press conference (or a release) and it should be out by 12:00 noon EDT or just after. I also had heard that the NHL had already contacted USA Today about a full page ad for Thursday, so this thing looks about as done as it gets. I'll wear my Stars jersey this afternoon if this all comes to pass.
Go Caps! Possible details on the new deal ... http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2106921 Of note (if all details are in fact, facts): * Players get a year of service for 2004-05. * Minimum salary more than doubles, from $175K to $400K. * 20% single-player maximum per team is in effect ... so if Detroit's payroll is $40, they can't spend more than $8 million on any one player's salary. * NHL to shutdown for Olympics in 2006. All-Star Game off.
Ouch... my wallet took a nice hit today... hopefully since none of the networks are willing to carry hockey they will slash prices on the NHL Center Ice package... as well as season tickets, of course
It looks like the Goon squad are all going to get pay raises. the free agent period is going to be fun
Here are the expected terms of the agreement http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2106921 All attempts at work productivity this afternoon have now been abandonned... its going to be a fun off season
Yeah we should try and get all 30 teams by the end of the day... Of course with hockey back now I have one more topic to keep me on bigsoccer all day... boy my boss is going to love that!
This will be the most exciting offseason in history, obviously...just imagine all that needs to get done by October: --Draft lottery --Draft --Buyouts --Re-signing existing free agents --Signing UFAs --Training camps --Preseason games Wow, I simply cannot wait. Also, here's the details on the draft lottery. Awesome that my beloved CBJ have 3 balls in the hopper! http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature.asp?fid=7314
Thanks! Actually, I just have a lot of friends in Toronto, and travel up there 2 or 3 times a year. I love the place, and I of course ended up following the sports teams too. I like the Leafs as well, and I hardly ever have conflicts, since CBJ rarely plays them. The Leafs have a LOT of work to do in the next couple of weeks to trim the payroll down. Obviously, Nolan is gone, and I would hope they could shed Belfour's salary too.
The Jackets could have a million balls in that hopper, it won't matter. The Rangers are going to end up with this kid just like Patrick Ewing went to the Knicks.
I agree, but at least the 3 balls give me a glimmer of hope. If the NHL HAS to have him in a huge market, I would rather (by leaps and bounds) he play in Los Angeles. The Rangers have just conducted business like complete morons for the past 4 years, and to reward them with Crosby is rather nauseating.
This should be the correct total number of balls: Buf 3 CBJ 3 NYR 3 Pit 3 Ana 2 Atl 2 Cgy 2 Car 2 Chi 2 Edm 2 LAK 2 Min 2 Nsh 2 Phx 2 Bos 1 Col 1 Dal 1 Det 1 Fla 1 Mtl 1 NJD 1 NYI 1 Ott 1 Phi 1 Stl 1 SJS 1 Tam 1 Tor 1 Van 1 Wsh 1 48 balls total
If they rig the draft, he can only end up in five places: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, or Toronto. Since New York has three balls anyways, the can rig it and say statistically that it makes sense he went there... and I cant see how they wont rig it... they need to drum up so much support and renew interest in the game, and having Crosby in Atlanta or Nashville wont cut it. Otherwise, I'll go out on a limb and say either Edmonton or Boston gets really lucky and lands Crosby
YAY!! THe deal is done. I'm very confident that JFJ can solve the contract issues with the overpaid players still under contract. With Coliacovo, Steen, Wellwood and possibly Kukemberg, the Leafs can bring in players to fill in the rest of the spots. Also they can sign players like Jason Allison and Eric Lindros to low contracts since they are injury prone but good players who want to be in Toronto. Can't wait to see the Free Agency market go into full swing. And next week we find out who will win the Crosby sweepstakes. Hope the ISS mock draft didn't curse Toronto.
Let's Go Rangers! So happy to have the NHL back, thankfully I've got an AHL here so I went to a TON of games this past season. It'll be sad to see some of the players leave.
Yeah, but we still won't make the playoffs so don't worry Coach. Well, looks like I have reason to go back to the Garden. Let's just hope they don't go nuts with some of the rule changes. LET'S GO RANGERS!!!!
Well they're proposing a 20 team playoff format. So the Rangers should make the playoffs if it's true.