CBA Update, Spengler Cup for Canada, More...

Happy New Year HabsAddicts!!!

As 2012 has come and gone, hope springs eternal in the National Hockey League CBA negotiations. After the NHL presented a comprehensive 288-page offer to the NHLPA on Saturday, both sides have been talking both on the phone and face-to-face over the past three days.

Late last night, both sides broke off talks as the NHL presented another counter-offer to the Players' Association, who they themselves submitted a proposal of their own on New Year's Eve. There doesn't seem to be very much separating the two sides. According to some insiders, both sides have agreed on the ten year term length of the next CBA. However, the two major points of contention remain the $60 Million salary cap in 2013-2014 and escrow payments in years five to ten of the agreement.

While it seems there is plenty to be optimistic about, until both sides have an agreement in principle, fans continue to wait with baited breath.

Chris Johnston of the Canadian Press provides a report on last night's negotiations.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes

- Team Canada, on the strength of a pair of goals by Ryan Smith and John Tavares respectively, cruised to their first Spengler Cup victory in five years over HC Davos 7-2.

- Team USA thrashed the Czech Republic early this morning 7-0 in quarterfinal action at the World Junior Hockey Championships, booking themselves a semi-final showdown with Team Canada. John Gaudreau led the American squad to victory, on the strength of his power play hat trick.

- Joanne Ireland of PostMedia News explores the all-world contribution to Team Canada's World Junior team by Edmonton Oilers' forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

- The Sarnia Sting, minus Alex Galchenyuk, put an end to the London Knights' 24-game winning streak, beating them in overtime 6-5. The streak was the longest is the second longest in OHL'S history, behind the 25-game winning streak set by the 1983-84 Kitchener Rangers and ahead of the 2009-10 Barrie Colts, who had their streak stopped at 22 games.

Posted in: Chris Johnston,Davos,john tavares,London knights,NHL,nhlpa,OHL,ryan nugent-hopkins,Ryan smith,sarnia sting,spengler cup,streak,team czech republic,team usa,world junior hockey championships