This year's Winter Classic was to be between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings at Ann Arbor's "Big House". Organizers believed the event would break the world record crowd of 104,173 who attended the "Big Chill" NCAA game at the University of Michigan in 2010.
Kevin Allen of USA Today believes this cancellation leads the NHL and NHLPA on a path of mutually assured destruction.
Elsewhere, Adam Proteau of The Hockey News claims the cancellation of the event is a new low for the league.
I'm going to step away from the NHL labor negotiations for the moment. We are all aware that there have been no recent developments and with no talks scheduled there is very little reason to believe there will be any significant progress in the near future.
And with that, let's talk the CHLPA. It seems there isn't enough drama in hockey right now and so the newly formed CHLPA has decided to make itself known.
The Mooseheads are under fire from the CHLPA due to "violations of labor, pension and employment rules". Mooseheads majority owner Bobby Smith expressed his concern over his players' own concerns but maintained that " I feel we treat our players extremely well...".
The CHLPA has stated that they prefer not to litigate and would like to bring the CHL to the bargaining table.
Habs And Hockey News
- Here's a link to this morning's Sunday Shinny with Gary Whittaker, Nick Murdocco, Amand Stein and myself where we discussed the CHLPA, Andre Harvey's 10 year suspension from coaching after assaulting a 16 year old player, Pat Hickey's fantasy league and more.
- CHL players have launched their own union, the CHLPA, and have named Georges Laraque its Executive Director. Not entirely sure why a bunch of 16 to 20 year old players need their own union. They seem well treated enough, get money for college and are starts withing their own communities. And they get to play hockey. No offense, but that sure beats working at Metro like I did.
MONTREAL CANADIENS BUY OUT THE CONTRACT OF FORWARD GEORGES LARAQUE
MONTREAL (June 15, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens General Manager Pierre Gauthier, announced today that the Club has bought out the contract of forward Georges Laraque.
Laraque’s contract was valid until the end of the 2010-11 season. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Georges Laraque, 33, played in 28 games with the Canadiens in 2009-10. He registered three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and 28 penalty minutes. In 61 career regular season games with the Canadiens, Laraque recorded five points (1 goal, 4 assists) and 89 penalty minutes.
BREAKING NEWS: UPDATE: Jan 28, 2010 - 12:38 pm
A bizarre twist in the Laraque to AIK story as a Swedish source, who admits that they are not an expert of NHL-contracts, says that it is Laraque who is not waiving his no trade clause because of concern for the following year. The source was not exactly clear on the details of Laraque's concerns but explained that since he is not waiving his NMC the NHL will not allow him to play overseas.
Seems pretty straight forward but strange. I imagine that this is about financial security for next year but who knows. I'll post more as I hear it.
Swedish sources indicate that the NHL head office is holding up the Laraque to AIK transfer. AIK sports director, Anders Gozzi, was hoping to make an announcement last night.
So far AIK and the Montreal Canadiens have agreed to the transfer but NHL offices are not giving the ok to nullify Laraque's contract and let him go to Europe. According to an article in AftonBladet, Gozzi is saying that it is a complicated situation and they still hope to work out a deal.
UPDATE: Jan 27, 2010 - 4:27 pm
Reached for comment by telephone, Canadiens VP Communications and Community Relations, explained that he does not have any further information. When told that AIK has reportedly agreed to a deal with Laraque and is just waiting for approval from the Habs, Mr. Beauchamps again indicated that he has no further information on the subject.
UPDATE: Jan 27, 2010 - 3:27 pm
A message left for Candiens Director of Media Relations, Dominik Saillant, was not immediately returned.
Swedish source explains that AIK brass are currently in meetings to determine whether they will join the KHL or not. According to the scource, the team will provide an update on Laraque situation once their meeting is over.
UPDATE: Jan 27, 2010 - 10:00 am
Swedish sources explain that the offer for Laraque will likey be finalized today. There could be an announcement as early as this afternoon. The only thing holding up the signing/transfer is that the Habs are working out details involving insurance.
AIK captain and former Edmonton Oiler, Dick Tarnstrom, says that Laraque should be lauded for saying he would play for free.
UPDATE: Jan 26, 2010 - 2:00 pm
During email correspondance with a Swedish source they said that they have been in touch with Laraque during the weekend and he has confirmed that he is interested in coming back to Stockholm. They also confirmed that he is willing to play for free.
The source continued that AIK and sports director Anders Gozzi have confirmed that they are in contact with Laraque, and are trying to work out an agreement this week.
UPDATE: Jan 26, 2010 - 12:12 pm
Here is an interview of Laraque talking about how much he loves AIK Stockholm and would love to play there again before he retires:
UPDATE: Tuesday, Jan 26, 2010 - 11:40 am
Reached by telephone for comment, Canadiens Director of Media Relations, Dominik Saillant said that he had no comment at this time. He also explained that the first he heard about this story was this morning and that Laraque needs the Habs permission to play for any team.
UDPATE: Tuesday, Jan 26, 2010 - 10:40 am
Habs GM Bob Gainey, Laraque and AIK will sit down for a meeting today and the transfer may be completed as early as this afternoon.
Laraque to Play in Sweden? As first reported by HabsAddict.com, a Swedish article says that Georges Laraque wants to play for AIK Stockholm. This is the team he played for during the lockout. The NHL rules are unclear as to player transfers with Sweden when still under contract to an NHL team so lawyers from both sides are discussing. Here is the article (in Swedish). Use Bing Translator to get the gist of the article:
