Getting Closer?, Santa Even Thinks Leafs Suck, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

Despite the setbacks from last week's negotiations, popular belief is that this is the week that a deal between the NHL and the Players' Association gets done.

While optimism is beginning to dwindle even among the league's most devoted fans, Craig Custance of ESPN.com tells us how a pocket of players believe a deal is imminent.

With all the talk about communication between NHLPA second-in-command Steve Fehr and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, everyone is hanging on by a thread that the season can be salvaged. Add to that the apparent calls between players and owners, and it looks like efforts are certainly being intensified.

Yet others, like CBC Sports' Tim Wharnsby, believes that, to the contrary, there are 40 days left to save the season.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- On the light side of things, nothing made me laugh more this weekend than the story by the Toronto Sun's Shawn Jeffords, showing the even Santa Claus thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs suck.

- Our Sean Lloyd examines the Five Stages of Lockout Grief all hockey fans must be going through at this stage of the lockout.

- Hockey Night in Canada's own Elliotte Freidman explain what the end-game of the National Hockey League is.

- Erik Duhatschek tells us what Hockey Canada will do if a resolution is found for the NHL lockout before this year's World Junior Hockey Championships in Ufa, Russia.

- Finally, to get a better take on the NHL propaganda campaign, agent Allan Walsh shares an article by Jeff Blair that outlines how NHL owners have run out of tricks.

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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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Daly/Fehr Talk, Politics in Sports, Kane Leaves KHL And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Just days after league commissioner Gary Bettman suggested the two sides take a two week break from negotiations, it seems the two sides have resumed talking. While there were no negotiations Deputy commissioner Bill Daly spoke over the phone with special councel Steve Fehr.

The two were expected to speak more over the weekend about further steps in bargaining talks.

With every article I read on this topic I can't help but notice words like "optimistic", "progress" and "positive results". And each time I see these terms I can help but wonder, who is buying this?

When you have one side that seems to have made it's best offer by giving up a billion dollars worth of concessions and another that would prefer to take a break rather than continue to work towards common ground, how can you see an end in sight?

After going over that last paragraph I realize it looks like I'm taking the players side. I'm not. I don't back the players and I in no way back the owners. In fact, I'm not even on the fans side.

At this point how can I feel bad for fans? If it's been this long and you haven't found anything in life to keep you busy Saturday nights then perhaps the lockout isn't your biggest problem. Go to dinner, catch up with friends, spend time with your family...

I refuse to feel pity for anybody who follows this lockout too closely. Both sides are trying to win sympathy and too many fans are falling for it. Just sit back and let the billionairs argue with the millionairs and when they finally agree on what to do with your money then turn the game on. Or don't.

Personally, I will. I love the game. If they take another season to figure this whole mess out I will still return when hockey does. I just refuse to make my non hockey life about waiting for it's return and falling for every line I'm fed by either side.

And with that said I apologize for the bitterness. I don't mean to start your Saturday morning with negativity, I have just become fed up with how too many (not all) fans have fallen victim to false hope. I don't blame anybody for being opinionated, I just feel bad for anybody who thinks that what they think about this mess matters. It doesn't. Your money matters, the owners and players can whisper all the sweet nothings into your ears to win you over but the bottom line is they don't care. Whether or not we forgive and forget doesn't mean anything to them as long as they get paid. And they will.

Habs And Hockey News

- Avi Goldberg (@avigoldberg) featured writer over at Allhabs.com takes an interesting look on politics, sports and the lockout.

- It seems the KHL was too much for Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane.

- TSN reports that Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider may be getting tired of the lockout.

- Habs prospect Brendan Gallagher's two goals lead the Bulldogs to a 6-3 win over the Toronto Marlies last night.

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Hockey Hall of Fame, 16 D Before P.K Subban, NHL-NHLPA Issues, More

Good AM hockey fans.

As you probably all saw, four new individuals were added to the Hockey Hall of Fame this week.

Adam Oates, Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin and Pavel Bure are the latest additions to the prestigious organization.

Of course, as is often the case, pundits have already begun making their selections for the 2013 inductees, including recently retired players such as Chris Chelios and Eric Lindros.

Who would you add in 2013?

Habs and Hockey News

- Fred Poulin takes a fantastic look at the 16 — yes, 16! — blueliners chosen before P.K Subban in 2007.

- Blake Geoffrion father, Danny, talks about his son's recent injury scare.

- Ken Campbell takes a look at the oft-underappreciated Adam Oates.

- According to Steve Fehr, three outstanding issues remain before a deal can be reached between the NHL and NHLPA. Stu Hackel takes a look at the subject of contract rights. Elsewhere, Ken Campbell argues that Donald Fehr's tactics are beginning to get in the owner's heads.

- Joe Sakic and Mats Sundin say they would love to see an NHL team back in Quebec City. Personally, I'd just love to see an NHL team again at this point.

(Photo via the Canadian Press/TSN.ca) 

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Fehr/Daly Meet, Cole Retiring?, Oilers Trade Looming? And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

After two weeks without talking, Bill Daly and Steve Fehr met last night in an attempt to save any of the season that can be salvaged. Although there have been phone conversations between the two sides, there have been no formal meeting since October 18th.

Forgive me if this news doesn't excite me. Sure, it can't be bad that the two sides met. In fact it's even better that they plan on meeting again early this week, but util anything concrete happens I remain of the belief that this season is toast.

With over 300 games already canceled including the Winter Classic it's hard to imagine the two sides comnig to an agreement on time for any hockey to be played. Although a December agreement was what saved the 1993-94 season it still left a mark on that year.

If the NHL resumes this year, I'll watch. Even with the bitterness and pessimism taking over the hope I tried to hold onto I never adopted the "I'm done with hockey, when it comes back I'm through with it!" attitude that so many people resorted to. I'm quite certain the majority of those people will be in the same bars I'm in cheering on their team when and if this labor strife ends.

However, it's hard for me to take any hockey that is played this year seriously. Without a full season played there will be an asterix in my mind next to the Stanley Cup champion, just like there is nect to the '94 Rangers.

I'm not going to sit here and pretend that if the league resumes and the Habs win I won't celebrate. I don't see that happening. But to be completely honest with you I wouldn't want them to win this year if there is NHL action. It's been too long since the Habs won ad when they do it again I want it to be earned after a full hard fought 82 game schedule where nobody can take anything away from them.

Habs And Hockey News

- Erik Cole is obviously not impressed with the lockout. Cole recently stated that he is considering heading towards Europe or even retiring if the whole season is lost.

- Greg Wyshynski asks if the "make whole" makeover will lead to the lockout's end?

- Edmonton Oilers president Kevin Lowe hinted a few days back that some trades could be made sooner rather than later to improve his club.

- USA Today Sports asked fans with tickets to the Winter Calssic for their reactions.

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Allan Walsh, Coach K's "What If's", Yesterday's Unexpected CBA Meeting And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Yet another week has gone by without an end to the lockout and to make matters worse,the NHL regular season schedule has been cancelled up until October 24th.

With not much new being said on either side, it's interesting to see NHL player agent Allan Walsh cover the situation via twitter.

Walsh is quite possibly the most well known NHL player agent and has never shied away from sharing his thoughts through twitter.

Walsh stirred up some controversy in Montreal a few years back when he pointed out how much better Jaroslav Halak's numbers were than starting goaltender Carey Price. The comments made sense seeing as how Halak is one of Walsh's clients and, well, we all remember how each goalie did that year.

Yesterday Walsh tweeted " After spending most of the day on the phone, the one truth no one on the NHL side wants us to know- Bettman is losing control of his room". He went on to say that over the next few days he'll be sharing facts on which NHL owners don't support the lockout. According to Walsh Bettman is "feeling the heat from the owners" and is being told "we can't lose the season".

Whether you like him or hate him he's always an interesting follow on twitter (@walsha) and Toronto Star columnist Dave Feschuk wrote a piece on Walsh that is worth a read.

Habs And Hockey News

- Coach K put up an article of "What if's" over at Montrealhockeytalk.com

- Mark Ritter of The HockeyWriters wonders about the possibility of a lottery being used to determine the 2013 NHL Entry Draft

- Here is Kevin Allen of USA Today's piece on yesterday's unexpected meeting between Gary Bettman, Bill Daly and Donald and Steven Fehr

- Number 11 on the Habs Top 25 under 25 over at Habseyesontheprize.com is Russian prospect Alexander Avtsin

- ESPN3 will be streaming at least seven KHL games starting October 9th

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