Getty Images Sure, it’s somewhat comforting that NHLPA head Donald Fehr says a season can start without a CBA in place and that the Sept. 15 expiration date isn’t a “magic number.” Still, with a hopeful start to next season not all that far away in October, most hockey fans would prefer to see both sides as proactive as possible. There seems to be pretty good news in that regard, too; Louis Jean reports that the NHL and its players association will begin meeting on Friday.
Full-fledged free agent Shane Doan might have said it best, though; things have a way of happening with more urgency when the pressure is applied. Having a meeting is fine and well, but having productive ones requires both sides to be respectful and cooperative.
(Surely the NBA and NFL’s CBA tug-o-wars included a mind-numbing array of meetings, but only one league avoided missing a significant chunk of regular season games.)
Still, with the free agent frenzy nearly upon us, it’s nice to know that the powers on both sides will already commence talks to increase the chances that all that wild spending could actually be put to a prompt test.
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Persistent Preds sign another: D-man Bartley, three years, $2 million
Jun 19, 2013, 11:35 AM EDT
GM David Poile might be the busiest man in hockey.
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Based on a couple of reports, the answer appears to be yes.
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Sens’ Murray has ‘talked to a number of teams’ about moving up at draft
Jun 19, 2013, 11:17 AM EDT
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“If you move up, there’s a chance to maybe get that better player.”
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The duo spent the last three seasons together in Vancouver.
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He’ll be in charge of working with defensemen.
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Chicago has once again found themselves behind the Bruins.
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Both were scheduled to become restricted free agents this summer.
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Ken Cruise showed off his work at Game 3.
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Boston has a 2-1 series lead.
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Looks like Seth Jones might not be the number one selection.
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Wednesday’s collection of links.
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It’s the first NHL game on NBCSN to surpass 4 million viewers.
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They beat the Syracuse Crunch in six games.
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“It’s going to be a strong, solid franchise just like Winnipeg is now.”
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Report: Flyers will buy out Briere, Bryzgalov another story (Updated)
Jun 18, 2013, 9:27 PM EDT
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Things are getting dramatic in Philadelphia.
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His annual cap hit is a hefty $7,727,273.
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Coburn might be heading the other way.
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He also loves 2013 NHL Draft prospect Darnell Nurse.
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The coach already had him picked as Plan B if Marian Hossa couldn’t play.
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Blackhawks coach knows his team has to improve in those areas.
