Getty Images With the lockout now threatening the regular season, New Jersey US Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez wrote a letter to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA boss Donald Fehr urging them to negotiate a new CBA, according to the Bergen Record.
The Senators state that the “cancellation of the preseason will negatively affect workers, businesses, and families in our state, and a failure to resolve this dispute in time for the regular season would impose an even greater hardship.”
They added that the a canceled NHL season could result in “millions of dollars in lost economic activity” in Newark and it could leave people out of work “when our state unemployment rate is already at a 30-year high.”
They also argued that other NHL cities will face similar hardships in the event of a lost hockey season.
“As you consider your next steps, we encourage you to keep in mind the communities, workers and families that would be hurt by a further disruption in the season,” the letter urges Bettman and Fehr.
It concludes with, “Businesses, workers and hockey fans played no role in causing this dispute, and it is unfair for them to have to bear this burden. The Senate has jurisdiction over interstate commercial activities, including professional sports, and will keep a close eye on your negotiations with hope that you will work diligently and quickly to resolve this matter.”
Meanwhile the league and union will resume their CBA negotiations on Tuesday, but they will continue to avoid the critical issue of the division of hockey-related revenue. Instead, they will focus on the definition of HRR.
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The Detroit Red Wings are “very close” to signing star forward Pavel Datsyuk to a “multi-year” contract extension, MLive.com reports (by way of Datsyuk’s agent Gary Greenstin). “Me and Ken [Holland] and Pavel (are) very close,” Greenstin said. Datsyuk’s Twitter feed teases as much, as this message from Monday suggests. Big day tomorrow… — Pavel Datsyuk (@Datsyuk13)…
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Hawks’ Smith goes from lunch with mom to playing for Hossa
Jun 18, 2013, 12:02 AM EDT
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Just a “wild night” for a Black Ace.
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AP
Odd timing, but big news.
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Led by Patrice Bergeron, who scored a goal and was practically unbeatable in the faceoff circle.
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Dennis Seidenberg: “It feels like sandpaper.”
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“It’s a low-chance game and a low-chance series,” he said.
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Joel Quenneville said it was “definitely not good.”
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He was a game-time decision for Game 3.
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A masterful performance by Boston.
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Nathan MacKinnon says Sidney Crosby opened doors for small-town players
Jun 17, 2013, 10:15 PM EDT
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Both are much-hyped forwards from Cole Harbour, Novia Scotia.
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Video: Jagr sets up Bergeron, moves ahead of Coffey on all-time playoff scoring list
Jun 17, 2013, 10:10 PM EDT
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He owns fifth place with 197 points.
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Big results for his line with Tyler Seguin and Chris Kelly.
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Does that mean it could fall through?
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Big (and surprising) loss for the Chicago Blackhawks.
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Chris Mason’s amazing beard couldn’t mask lousy numbers.
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Multiple sources expect buyouts for Ilya Bryzgalov and Daniel Briere.
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23-year-old was the club’s second-round pick in 2008.
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Reports: Vigneault gets five-year, $10 million contract to coach Rangers
Jun 17, 2013, 5:04 PM EDT
AP
Former Canucks bench boss cashes in.
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Just five days after acquiring him from the Islanders.
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Interesting, given he’s probably going to get traded this summer.
