Showing posts with label spengler cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spengler cup. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

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)

Friday, December 28, 2012

Character Win For Team Canada, Spengler Dominance, More...

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

Team Canada had quite the scare this morning. Team Slovakia came out of the gate with a heavy forecheck, that caused Canada fits, and took an early 2-0 1st period lead.

However, despite loosing forward J.C. Lipon in the first because of a contact to the head major penalty, the Canadian squad came out firing on all cylinders in the second.

As the game wore on, the Slovakians began to wear down. Only a controversial charging major to Anthony Camara gave the Slovaks some momentum, but Morgan Rielly led the charge for the Canadian team, with a few brilliant shift to to get the ball rolling. He finished with a goal and two assists.

Team Canada dominated the last 40 minutes of play, using their speed and physicality to turn the tables on their tenacious opponents. After taking a late 4-3 lead in the second, they added two more tallies in the third to win the game 6-3. Mark Scheifele was all over the ice for Canada, which earned him player of the game honours.

Next, Team Canada faces Team USA at 4 A.M. Sunday morning. The question is if the IIHF disciplinary board will give suspensions to either Lipon and/or Camara. The board is chaired by former NHL referee Bill McCreary.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- Over in Davos, Switzerland, the other Team Canada had another dominant performance in Spengler Cup action, this time versus the host Davos. Byron Ritchie led Team Canada with two goals, en route to a 5-0 victory. Devon Dubnyk stopped 25 shots to earn the shutout.

- Team USA started their World Junior Hockey Championships with a resounding 8-0 victory over Germany. Montreal Canadiens' 2012 first round pick, Alex Galchenyuk had a goal and two assists.

- Barry Janoff of NYSportsJournalism.com looks at how the NHL Lockout is causing fans and sponsors to lash out.



Thursday, December 27, 2012

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)

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Hudon To Miss WJC, Bealieu And Tinordi Progressing, Spengler Cup And More...

Good Morning Addicts!


Habs prospect Charles Hudon will miss the WJC due to
a lower body injury.
 Only four days left until the start of the 2013 World Junior Championships. Canada lost their first pre tournament game against Finland  on Thursday but will get another shot this morning against Sweden. As soon as this post is written I will be sitting in front of my television gettting my first taste of the tournament.

As eager as I am to watch some hockey I must say I am quite disappointed I will not be able to watch Charles Hudon. Hudon, Montreal's fifth round draft pick in 2012 injured his back in practice on friday and was ultimately replaced by Mark McNeill of the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders.

Hudon has been having quite a year in the QMJHL so far this season notching 18 goals and as many helpers for 36 points in 27 games for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

On the bright side, Habs fans will be able to catch a glimpse of the Canadiens second overall pick Sebastian Collberg who will be suiting up for Sweden.

With Hudon having to back out - pun intended - Collberg is one of two Habs prospects still in the tournament. The other of course being Team U.S.A.'s Alex Galchenyuk who has been absolutely destroying the OHL this season. With 27 goals and 34 assists, Galchenyuk sits in second place for points - one behind Ryan Strome of the Niagra IceDogs - and tied for first in goals with the IceDogs Brett Ritchie and Boone Jenner of the Oshawa Generals.

Habs And Hockey News

- The Hamilton Bulldogs continue to struggle as they fell 2-1 to the St.John's Ice Caps last night. The 'Dogs now have won only once in their last five games as they remain in the AHL's Western Conference basement along with the San Antonio Rampage.

- Dan Kramer (@DanKramerHabs) of AllHabs.net takes a look at the progression of Habs Prospects Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi.

- With all the excitement surrounding the WJC, let's not forget about the Spengler Cup. Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) of The HockeyHouse provides Team Canada's roster as well as every other team's roster for the tournament which also starts on Boxing Day.


(Photo fromhttp://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/culture_physique/2012-2013/chronique.asp?idChronique=263544)

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Canadiens/Senators, World Juniors, Spengler Cup, Cam Ward Scores and More

Happy Holidays Habs fans!

Well, that was not was not an especially close first day at the World Juniors, was it?

Brendan Gallagher, who had a goal and an assist, and Team Canada hammered Finland to the tune of 8-1.

Meanwhile, Jarred Tinordi's American squad crushed Denmark 11-3. The hulking blueliner had a goal in the contest.

The Swedes also cruised past the Latvians by a final score of 9-4.

At least the Swiss kept things interesting, losing 3-0 to Russia but fighting throughout the game, peppering the opposing keeper with 40 shots.

Speaking of Switzerland, the Spengler Cup in Davos also got underway yesterday. Team Canada imposed its will abroad as well, overwhelming HK Vitkovice 7-1.

As for the Montreal Canadiens (remember them?) they head back into action tonight against the surprising Senators, who currently hold on to eighth place in the East with 39 points.

Oh, and in what proved to be a rather interesting day of hockey, Cam Ward was credited with a goal last night.



Habs News

HabsWorld.net - HW Recap: Is it rock bottom yet?

Hockey Inside / Out - Bounce-back game for P.K.?

TSN - Subban looks to be back for Habs after being healthy scratch

TSN - Michalek will return to Senators' lineup Tuesday against Habs

Hockey News

IIHF - Skillful Russians blank Swiss

IIHF - U.S Shuts down Denmark

IIHF - Boxing Day Blowout

IIHF - Swedes Start Strong

Spengler Cup - Canada’s Great Start to the Spengler Cup

TSN - Team Canada loses Smith-Pelly for remainder of tournament

TSN - Romanuk: A blowout start for Canada at Spengler Cup