Still No Deal, Gorges' Style, Price Mask Auction, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

Another day, another fruitless bargaining session.

The NHL and NHLPA met in caucus with FMCS mediator Scot Beckenbaugh in an attempt to restart the stalled Collective Bargaining negotiations. Everyone hoped this mediation session between the two sides would gain some traction in what seemed to be a situation that was completely obliterated last Thursday.

Katie Strang of ESPN provides the details on today's events.

Speaking of details, Chris Johnson of the Associated Press explains how amnesty ("Get Out of Gomez Contract") payments have become an important issue for the National Hockey League.


Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

Here are a couple of stories by the Montreal Gazette's Dave Stubbs to lighten our lockout woes:

- Josh Gorges tells Dave about his new-found, fiancé-inspired fashion sense during an appearance at RW&Co at Place Ville Marie in Montreal.

- Dave reports on the charity auction of Carey Price's Assassin's Creed masks, and tells us how Price is actually improving at playing the game.

- The Globe and Mail's Eric Duhatschek tell us how Junior phenom Nathan McKinnon is looking to fulfill the country's expectations, and become Canada's "Next One"

Read More

NHL's "Hill To Die On", CBA Talks To Resume, More...

Happy Hump Day HabsAddicts!!!

After last Thursday's statement by NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who said that the CBA term, player contract lengths and transition payments were "the hill the NHL would die on," WSMN decided to do some digging.

After speaking to multiple people close to the negotiations, some of the numbers the league has envisioned, as far as revenues and expenses for a shortened season are concerned, were staggering.

Take a look at this piece that I put together for Montreal Hockey Talk, where I go over those figures, and breakdown the three points in detail. It brings the NHL's position into a different perspective.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- Speaking of MHT, Bobby Dollas and Dino Masanotti joined host Corey Collard and Jay Ferrar to talk about the lockout, the negotiations.

- Katie Strang of ESPN.com tells about how FMCS mediators will rejoin the CBA negotiations once more.

- Since we're talking about tomorrow negotiations, Jack Todd of the Montreal Gazette give his opinion on how Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr need to go busy.

- Former Habs goaltending legend Ken Dryden writes, in the Globe and Mail, that in order to understand this latest NHL dispute, you have to follow the players' pride.

Read More

NHL Labour Talks Implode, Player Reactions, More...

T.G.I.F. HabsAddicts!!!

After the last 2 1/2 days of negotiations, between the NHL and Players' Association, most people were under the impression that a deal might be eminent. While details were hard to come by, it seemed that, up until Wednesday night, the amicable nature of the talks might lead to a resolution.

Enter Thursday, when NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr submitted a proposal to a diminished NHL contingent, made up of only Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and NHL Legal Council Bob Batterman. That was the first sign of things to come.

At 6:30 PM, Fehr, with his group of players in tow, addressed the media and gave the impression that the two sides were closer than ever to a deal. He neglected to tell those in attendance and those watching at home that he made modifications to parts of the NHL's last offer that the league wasn't willing to move on. He answered a few questions, and that when the real fun began...

Katie Strang explains what happened last night in excruciating details. 

Habs And Hockey News and Notes:

- While going over every Twitter feed to show how frustrated people are is near impossible, Jordan Shifman of CBC Sports give us a glimpse at the online reaction of some NHL players.

- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN, who has been the eternal optimist during these labour negotiations, vents his frustration at the lack of progress in what he feels was a mathematically fixable situation.

- With all the negativity in the air after yesterday's turn of events, the Canadian Press reports on Habs' prospect Alex Galchenyuk, who was stellar in a Sarnia Sting 3-0 win over the Saginaw Spirit.

Read More