NHL-NHLPA Marathon, Toronto Not a Hockey Town, NCAA, More

Good AM hockey fans!

With most eyes turned towards the U.S Presidential election, it was easy to miss that the NHL and NHLPA talked for over seven hours on Tuesday and have scheduled a follow-up session today.

A sign for optimism perhaps, but, as pointed out in this space yesterday, many have cautioned that there are still significant obstacles to an agreement.

And, with players such as Max Talbot trickling to Europe, you can't help but get the sense that an agreement is not necessarily close at hand.

What do you think?

Habs and Hockey News

- Pierre Lebrun reports on yesterday's rather secretive talks over at ESPN. In fact, Stu Hackel feels that the more "hush-hush" nature of these discussions has been helpful.

- Wow. Here is a headline sure to garner a few angry responses. "Brampton Battalion relocation proves Toronto isn't a hockey town". Hard to argue with some of Rory Boylen's arguments though.

- Did you know that there were more than 50,000 new registered hockey players in the world this year?

- HabsWorld continues its excellent prospect coverage, looking at the Habs' NCAA assets.


(Photo by the Canadian Press)

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Habs Overseas Prospects, Taylor Hall in AHL, Devin Setoguchi in ECHL, More

Good AM hockey fans!

So, what have you been doing with NHL hockey still in the dark?

I have been paying close attention to the American presidential election — after all, I am American. But, sporting wise, I've found no adequate replacement for my beloved Habs.

What about you? Have you gotten your hockey fix elsewhere or have you shifted your focus somewhere else?

Habs and Hockey News

- HabsWorld, which always has excellent prospect coverage, takes a look at Montreal Canadiens prospects playing in Europe.

- Taylor Hall has been cleared to join the AHL's Oklahoma Barons while Devin Setoguchi has signed with the ECHL's Ontario (Calfiornia) Reign.

- The Washington Capitals new head coach, Adam Oates, is slated to join the farm team in Hershey. An odd experiment, as ESPN's Scott Burnside points out.

- Ryan Kennedy looks at some of the NCCA-eligibility issues faced by the newly formed CHLPA.

(Photo via Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

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Dominik Hasek the Best?, NHLers in Offbeat Places, CBA, More

Good AM Hockey fans!

As you know by now, yesterday, Dominik Hasek formally announced his retirement at 45 years of age.

During his career, he won a mind-boggling six Vezina trophies, three William M. Jennings trophies, two Hart trophies and two Lester B. Pearson awards. On top of that, you can add two Stanley Cup rings and an Olympic gold medal.

In short, he has a pretty strong case for being viewed as the best goaltender of all time. At the very least, he certainly was the best of his era.

Where would you rank him all time?

Habs and Hockey News

- In light of Dominik Hasek's retirement, TSN compares him to some other greats of the last generation.

- As many regular readers know, I am hugely interested in players winding up in off-beat places during the lockout. For example, Wojtek Wolski is in the Polish league while Dustin Jeffrey has found himself in the Netherlands. In any case, Stu Hackel has a piece on that very subject today.

- Vincent Damphousse has a solution for the current labor standoff.

- Rory Boylen wonders who will help broker a much-needed compromise between the NHL and NHLPA.


(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America)

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NHL - NHLPA Talks Resume, Habs on Players' Tour, More

Happy Friday all!

As you probably know, talks between the NHL and NHLPA are set to resume today. In fact, officials from both sides have blocked off the whole weekend for negotiations.

On top of that, rumor has it — okay, Eklund has it — that the NHLPA may even have an offer up its sleeve, and a good one at that. Apparently, they would be ready to drop-down the cap next year to around 55%, with it progressively going down each year until it settles around 50%.

Although the league cancelled the rest of its exhibition schedule, there may be reasons for hope yet.

Who knows, we may even see a last minute deal to get the season going.

Or at least the two sides negotiating past happy hour.

Habs and Hockey News

- Andrei Markov, Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges participated in a exhibition game of locked-out NHLers.

- Alex Létourneau of HabsWorld takes a look back at the Montreal Canadiens of the last lockout in 2004-05. Elsewhere, Eric Engels has ten wishes for the Habs, should they set foot on the ice this year.

- John Tavares seems set to sign with Bern and join his Islanders' teammate Mark Streit.

- Adam Proteau of The Hockey News presents an 11-point plan to end the lockout.

- Pierre Lebrun looks at how GMs are spending their time during the quiet days of a work stoppage.

(Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

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Junior NHL Players, Hamilton Bulldogs, Olympics and More

Good AM!

So, the NFL settled its dispute with its referees at midnight last night after a few days of intense bargaining sessions.

In fact, mere days earlier one session lasted until 2 am.

Never mind ending this lockout — at least the NHL and NHLPA could stay up late.

Habs and Hockey News

- Forty-two players have reported to the Hamilton Bulldogs' training camp, including a few who saw significant NHL time last season, namely Michael Blunden, Aaron Palushaj, Louis Leblanc and Blake Geoffrion. Also worthy of note is the presence of Michel Ouellet, a winger with 190 games NHL experience with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks.

- Speaking of the Bulldogs, Brian La Rose points out some invitees to watch at training camp.

- Bob McKenzie looks at how the current lockout could be a silver-lining for Canada's World Junior squad. Speaking of Junior players, when the NHL lockout ends, teams will have a chance to bring up a pre-arranged number of CHL junior players. For Montreal, this includes the highly touted Alex Galchennyuk.

- ESPN's Scott Burnside looks at Brian Burke's appointment as Team USA manager for Sochi 2014.

- In player abroad news, Erik Karlsson has signed in Finland while Nail Yakupov is being prevented from suiting up in the KHL.

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Max Pacioretty in Switzerland, Mathieu Darche, Manon Rheaume, The Economist and More

Good AM hockey fans!

The strong shift of NHLers towards Europe continues. The latest player to make a move is the Montreal Canadiens' own Max Pacioretty, who has recently joined HC Ambri-Piotta according to The Fourth Period. RDS also confirms the news on their site.

Elsewhere, the Swedish Elite League was compelled to allow NHL players join its league by Anti-Trust authorities there.

As such, some players have begun making the move to the Scandinavian nation as well.

Habs and Hockey News

- Mathieu Darche, amongst others, was on Radio-Canada's Tout Le Monde en Parle on Sunday night.

- The Economist — yes, that Economist magazine — has an interesting piece on the lockout and the evolving landscape of sport ownership at large.

- Twenty years ago, Manon Rheaume became the first woman to suit up in the NHL.

- The NHL and NHLPA are slated to meet in order to discuss last season's revenue. Hmmm... how about we move the discussion to this season?

- If you are lacking you hockey fix, you can always check out this hat-trick by Rick Nash with HC Davos.

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

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