USA Clobbers Canada, NHLPA To Vote Again on Disclaimer, More...

T.G.I.F. HabsAddicts

In their most lopsided defeat since the 1981 World Junior Hockey Championships, Team Canada lost to an inspired American team 5-1 in semi-final action early Thursday morning.

Team USA, lead by a pair of goals by Captain Jake McCabe and John Gaudreau, stifled the Canadian squad. A strong forecheck by the Americans kept Team Canada on their heels for the majority of the 1st period, leading to multiple turnovers, quality scoring chances, and an early lead.

While Twitter was ablaze with criticism of Canadian goaltender Malcolm Subban, the Bruins' prospect wasn't to blame for the early goals scored against him.

Although Subban was pulled after allowing four goals on 16 shots, the Canadian defence didn't make stopping pucks easy for the young netminder. On the first three Team USA goals, Subban could hardly see the puck, as his defensemen had a difficult time clearing his view of incoming shots.

With the loss, there a many questions floating around about the Canadian Program of Excellence, and the quality of the teams they are put together for major competitions. Canada is set to face the host team Russia early Saturday morning in the Bronze medal game. While Team Canada coach Steve Spott says, "We owe Canada a medal,", the Russians will certainly have something to say about that. Jordan Binnington will start in place of Subban in the Bronze medal game. 

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- With the ongoing NHL CBA negotiations at a critical stage, the NHLPA has again started the process of voting on filing a "Disclaimer of Interest". Although the players' association could have filed the disclaimer by Wednesday at midnight, Executive Director Donald Fehr chose not to, as a show of good faith in this latest round of negotiations.

However, after the league floated the idea of amending Article 50 of the previous CBA, which assessed stiff penalties to teams who attempted to mask any hockey related revenue, the union decided to once again attain the right to disclaim from its membership. The NHL has since withdrawn the amendment to Article 50.

- Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com wonder whether the length of player contracts and the $60 Million salary cap that the NHL wants for 2013-2014 will be the reason the NHL season may be lost.

- After his excellent showing at this year's World Junior Hockey Championship, the Hockey News explores the possibility of Team Canada and Halifax Mooseheads' forward Jonathan Drouin being selected first overall in the next National Hockey League Entry Draft. 

(Photos courtesy: TSN.ca, Reuters)

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New Offer From NHL, Russia Downs USA, Spengler Semis for Canada

Good Morning HabsAddicts

Early Friday afternoon, Pierre LeBrun broke the news that the National Hockey League had submitted a new offer to the NHLPA, composed of some 300+ pages.

Some parts of the offer were already discussed before, including a 10 year term on the Collective Bargaining Agreement, $300 Million for the "make whole" provision ($50 Million of which is to go to the NHLPA's pension plan), and a single amnesty buy-out for each team in 2013-2014 which wouldn't count against the salary cap.

Important to point out, as far as the amnesty payment is concerned, that the bought out contract would instead count against a team's hockey related revenue, which would reduce amounts on both sides of the ledger. This is a significant move by the league, in an attempt to find an equitable way to avoid an immediate cap hit to a single team. It would instead distribute the onus to all teams by reducing HRR and the salary cap by a minimal and manageable percentage.

While the league still insists on a cap on player contract lengths, they've extended the length to six years instead of the original five, and they have backed off on issues like entry-level contracts, Group 3 free agency (unrestricted), and arbitration rights.

However, included in this latest offer is an absolute drop-dead date to start, that being January 19th, in order to have a 48-game season. Training camps would have to begin on January 11th. Effectively, that gives both sides a windows of just a few days to get this offer agreed upon, and begin recalling their players from European club teams and the KHL.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes

- In an action packed affair, Team Russia defeated Alex Galchenyuk and Team USA 2-1 on Friday morning at the World Junior Hockey Championships. Team Canada, who won earlier on Friday 6-3 over Slovakia, received some good news as forward Anthony Camara would not receive any supplemental discipline for his devastating hit on Slovakian defenceman Patrik Luza. J.C. Lipon, who also received a major penalty for head contact on forward Tomas Mikus, received a one game suspension.

- With HC Davos' win Friday versus Adler Mannheim, Team Canada was assured a birth in the Spengler Cup semi-finals in Davos, Switzerland on Sunday. The quarter-finals will take place Saturday between Fribourg Gotteron vs. Adler Mannheim and HC Davos vs. Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

- The Montreal Gazette's Dave Stubbs celebrates (I'm kidding) the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Canadiens last Stanley Cup win. 

(photo: Paul Sancya/AP)

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Gorges' Outdoor Game, Spengler Cup Opening Loss For Canada, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

With the lack of progress in the NHL Lockout negotiations, some players are trying to keep fans happy in ways they normally couldn't during the regular season.

Montreal Canadiens' defenceman Josh Gorges, who is one of the more active players on Twitter during the work stoppage, used the power of social media, along with a helping hand from the Montreal Gazette's Dave Stubbs, to organize a game of shinny.

The game took place yesterday at Willibrord Park in Verdun, at one of the community rinks built by the Habs' organization through their Children's Foundation.

About 50 players of all ages came to play with one of their loco hockey stars. Here's is Dave's column on the event. 

Habs and Hockey News and Notes

- The Spengler Cup opened on Boxing Day in Davos, Switzerland. Long considered one of the lesser hockey tournaments in the World, to the Swiss it is a bigger deal than the World Junior Hockey Championships. Canada opened their tournament against Adler Manheim.

Although the Canadian roster had the likes of NHLers Jason Spezza, John Tavares and Tyler Seguin, they dropped their opening matchup in overtime to their German opponents 2-1. Seguin had the lone goal for the Canadian side.

- The Star-Ledger's Rich Chere recently spoke to New Jersey Devils' General Manager Lou Lamoriello, who claims he is embarrassed by the NHL Lockout. 

- Are there 10 ways for the NHL to win back their fans? Pierre LeBrun gives some interesting ideas that some fans would love to see when the league gets back on the ice.

- Gann Matsuda of Frozen Royalty explains how arrogance, foolishness and intolerance are fuelling the NHL lockout.

(Photo courtesy Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

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Player Voting Options, Cleary Nervous, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

Another day without any scheduled talks between the NHL and the Players' Association is making fans more nervous than ever. However, some details have emerged as far as voting is concerned.

There are three available voting options available to players:

1) Continue negotiating with the league

2) Sign the last offer made by the owners (10 year term, 5 year max. contracts, transition payments)

3) File Disclaimer of Interest

While players assume that the three options are viable, owners WILL NOT start negotiations again. At this venture, they have tabled their last, and best, offer to the NHLPA. Some believe that the drop-dead date, while not mentioned by the NHL, is already set for Saturday, December 22nd at Midnight.

Many still remain optimistic about the whole situation, claiming all the legalese is just posturing, as it was in the case of the NBA and NFL. However, given the acidic nature of the last two weeks, can the season really be salvaged?

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- As players vote, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press tells us how Dan Cleary of the Red Wings is nervous about what the outcome of the voting will be.

- TSN legal analyst Eric Macromalla explains the details of the NHL's lawsuit and what may be next for both sides.

- ESPN's Pierre LeBrun gives us his take on the state of NHL labour negotiations, and how he lays the blame on both sides in what he calls "the most illogical and incomprehensible labour dispute in the history of pro sports."

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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.

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CBA Talks Run Late, Pizza Anyone?, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

After staying up for most of the last two nights, information from the Westin New York Marquis hotel has been scarce. Once again, NHL owners and 19 players met for another marathon session of talks. Along with the Pittsburgh Penguins duo of Crosby and Burkle, it seems Michael Cammalleri has also been a positive influence on these current negotiations.

The situation went from "cautious optimism" to "cautious pessimism", as most believe that this negotiation has reached a critical stage, and the slightest misstep by either side could result in a possible deal imploding. However, approximately 60% of the members on both sides support the deal. There are still a few hardliners left.

Katie Strang goes over the particular details that were discussed yesterday, including length of contract issues, and how the owners met the players halfway on the "make whole" provision. 

The biggest news that came out of today's talks was the fact Twitter went viral as the NHL's podium (or lectern) was setup.

The other news come courtesy of Pierre Lebrun's Twitter feed:

"@Real_ESPNLeBrun: Steve Fehr has come out and offered slices of pizza to the media. He's catching on..."

"@Real_ESPNLeBrun: Here's the proof pic.twitter.com/g9048kXv"

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- Hockey Inside/Out's Brenda Branswell reports on the Quebec Labour Board postponing their meeting with the NHL as talks continue. 

- Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy elaborates on how many games might be played, should the lockout end. 

- Detroit fans were happy as the Red Wings got good news concerning their quest for a new arena, as reported by the Associated Press.

(Photo: Matt Cade/TSN)

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Crosby & Toews May Attend Meetings, Sabres Don't Care, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

Well, this all important day has finally arrived. And while the NHL has divulged its list of attendees, the NHLPA has kept their list close to their vest.

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks are expected to be among those attending on the players' side, but the union hasn't confirmed anything yet.

To get a better understanding, Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com explain the importance of today's meeting.

Habs And Hockey News and Notes:

- Fred Poulin updates us about the Habs' CHL prospects via The Hockey Writers.

- Olean Times Herald beat writer Bill Hoppe examines why players from the Buffalo Sabres don't want to be bothered with the players/owners meeting.

-And while you're at it, take a look at my newest What If instalment for Montreal Hockey Talk, where I ask what the NHL's motive for such a meeting are.

- With MLSE's Larry Tannenbaum involved in the meetings on Tuesday, Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun explains why the players trust and respect him.

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