Mediation Fails, Habs Language Woes, More...

TGIF HabsAddicts !!!!


As expected by most, the advent of U.S. Mediators in the NHL Lockout negotiations proved to be an exercise in futility. The Deputy Commissioner of the NHL Bill Daly, and NHLPA head Donald Fehr both issued individual statements.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com bring us up to speed on the 3 month stalemate, and answers the question, "Where do they go from here?"

Habs and Hockey Notes:

- Rob Elbaz of The Hockey Writers discusses how language discrimination may be at the root of the Habs' failures in recent years.

- Our own Sean Lloyd tells his story of how he was born into being a Montreal Canadiens fan.

- Puck Daddy's Sean Leahy examines Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeny Malkin's success in Metallurg of the KHL and how little he misses the NHL.

- Just to annoy hockey fans a little bit more, the L.A. Times Helene Elliott reports about the death of longtime L.A. Kings P.A. Announcer David Courtney, and how the lockout cost him his chance to announce the team's first banner raising ceremony.

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Phoenix In Jeopardy Again, Thoughts on Mediation, More

Good Morning HabsAddicts !!!

As if the drama of the NHL lockout isn't enough to drive deprived fans batty, the Phoenix Coyotes' saga came to the forefront again.

Although Glendale's new mayor, Elaine Scruggs, was against the proposed lease agreement and attached payment to Greg Jamison, Glendale city council voted 4-2 in favour of the deal.

While the sale is still pending approval from the NHL Board of Governors, will this deal guarantee that the Coyotes will remain long-term residents of Jobing.com Arena, or is relocation of the franchise still in the cards?

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- ESPN's Lester Munson tells us why he thinks having mediators between the two sides of the NHL labour dispute is a positive.

- And to look at the other side of the mediation coin, Jesse Spector of the Sporting New takes the pessimist's perspective.

- Montreal Gazette sports editor Stu Cowan explains why Gary Bettman has become hockey's biggest nemesis.

- Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshinski takes a look across the Atlantic at the success of Boston Bruins' forward Tyler Seguin, who is spending the lockout dominating in Switzerland.

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Lockout Mediation, Eller Enjoying Hockey In Finland, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

With all the talk about decertification this past weekend, the NHL and NHLPA threw everyone a curveball by agreeing to have U.S. mediators join in the CBA negotiations.

While getting an outside perspective may give some hope to desperate NHL fans around the world, considering that any suggestions from the mediators would be non-binding, will it realty make a bit of difference?

Habs and Hockey News & Notes

- Geoff Molson and Evenko announced today that they will soon begin construction on the long-time arena plan for La Place Bell in Laval, Quebec.

- Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette spoke to Habs' forward Lars Eller about how he is enjoying playing hockey in Finland.

- To get an idea of the effects of the NHL lockout on a small market, the Tennessean's Joshua Cooper at its toll on Nashville-area downtown businesses.

- New York Times writer Jeff Klein takes a look at what it would take for the NHLPA to decertify.

- The Detroit Free Press' Helen St. James gives us Todd Bertuzzi's take on the long-term damages the NHL lockout may cause.

- Adam Herman of nyrangersblog.com examines how the NHL wants to keep NBC from broadcasting Operation Hat Trick. 

(Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press)

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