Breaking news: new NHL proposal

This morning it was leaked by a player that Thursday the NHL has put a new offer out. This offer moves more in the NHLPA direction. This could very easily start talks to end the lockout and have the season start jan 20 for a 48 game season

Federal Mediators...they are at it again...

Today the NHL and NHLPS sat down with federal mediators to try to seek traction or an end to this damn lockout. Unfortunately they came out of the meeting with no conclusions and not even a inkling if they are going to meet tomorrow.

The thing to remember about the mediation process is that it is a lot of back and forth and until they are in the same room as each other there are no definite deals. Speculation from today says that the mediators asked what if the league put its last offer back on the table would the players agree to its core principles. That of course led to a resounding no and a lot of pissed off fans now.

Here’s hoping to more to come from this process in the coming days. Even for me it is getting frustrating....

Keep your sticks on the ice.

Light at the end of the tunnel

last night players and owners met well into the very late hours of the night and reported that they have made real progress toward saving the nhl season. this was a nice suprising bit of news for all of us.
they are going to meet today after the end of the NHL BOG meeting. hopefully this will lead to hockey in the near future.

keep your sticks on the ice

Cracks in the wall?

Last week a report came out the Washington Capitals Defencemen Roman Hammerlik blasted Donald Fehr in an interview about not being able to make a deal. Here is what he said

"I am disgusted. We have to push Fehr to the wall to get the deal. Time is against us we lost 1/4 season it is $425mil who will give it back to us?

There should be voting between players yes or no if yes the. We sign contract and play if no he should leave and we will find someone new. Time is against us"

This talk also has brought out the rumor Cavour the players possibly decertifying the union. This is a double edged sword for players and owners and should not be taken lightly.
For the owners decertification adds extra pressure to get a deal done due to the threat that players will be able to file anti-trust lawsuits against the owners. If these go through players can be awarded up to triple what they have lost in damages. Players would also have the ability to file for an injunction from te courts to lift the lockout and allow games to be played again. If decertification happens this is Probolly the reason why.
Pro sports are actually an oddity when it comes to unions. For one pro sport owners actively want players in a union so they can deal with players under a standard contract rather than each individual player.
If the players were to decertify I feel there would be no hockey this year. But I still feel strangely confident there will still be a season. It wasn't untill Feb 16 that the league gave up on the 04-05 season so there is some time left. Here's hoping for some good news to come now especially that both sides have agreed to a federal mediator.

Keep your sticks on the ice.

The proposal via tsn

NHLPA memo to the players outlining the union's Nov. 21 proposal that was sent to the National Hockey League:

The NHLPA's Negotiating Committee today provided the NHL Owners with a comprehensive 6 page proposal on the key issues (see below). As you will read in the proposal, the players have made substantial moves in order to address all of the owners' concerns, end the owners' lockout and get the game back on the ice. Our proposal works off the league's proposed language/structures and moves off our position that there be a guaranteed players' share. These are major moves in the owners' direction. Regarding player contractual issues, we have also addressed the owners concerns regarding back-diving contacts and NHL contacts being "buried" in the minors.

Now that we have made this proposal, there is no longer any doubt as to how far apart the parties are in dollars. As you will recall, we had previously said we thought the gap was less than $200M, while the owners had said that the gap was much larger and close to $1B. Under our proposal, it is now undisputed that the gap is only $182 M over 5 years. Now it is up to the owners to finally make a move towards the players.

At the same time, we have protected player rights by refusing to accept their proposals restricting free agency and salary arbitration.

Here are a few significant details from our proposal:

Players' Share: A major move in the owners' direction by removing guarantees or fixed targets for Players' share.

Honouring Players' Contracts/Transition payments: Players' Share will equal 50 percent of HRR plus fixed payments in the first four years to partially honour player contracts and ease the transition to 50/50:

2012-13 - $182M
2013-14 - $128M
2014-15 - $72M
2015-16 - $11M
Total $393M

*The owners had previously proposed $211M

Long-term back-diving contracts – Cap benefit recapture rule so clubs no longer benefit from front-loading contracts (move in the owners' direction)

Contracts in the minors – Clubs take a cap hit on contracts in the minors over $1M (move in the owners' direction)

Four Recall Rule – Unlimited recalls after regular season (move in the owners' direction)

Salary Arbitration – Elimination of walk-away from arbitrator's decision, but clubs can still "walk-away" by not qualifying a player

Please read through the proposal below and contact the NHLPA if you have any questions. The league indicated that they plan to respond to our proposal later today. We will provide a further update following this meeting.

Regards, Don

NHLPA Proposal -- 21 November 2012

This proposal addresses significant open issues concerning revenue sharing, player contracting, the players' share, and certain other open areas, as reflected below. This proposal does not address other items upon which we have agreed or are pending, such as health and safety, hockey issues, the "jock tax", and international.

1) Revenue Sharing

• Pool of $200 Million at $3.303 B of HRR. Varies year to year with HRR.
• Contributions to be raised per NHL formula. No discretion to increase individual team contributions beyond what formula provides
• Existing level of distributions to be protected for 2 years. If additional funds needed, raised pro-rata from all teams
• Revenue Sharing Oversight Committee (RSOC) has discretion to adjust amounts for Phase One distributions by up to +/- 15% per team, provided that all such adjustments are considered and decided upon at one time
o RSOC by unanimous vote may move beyond +/- 15% limitation towards but not exceeding the straight pool value for regular season HRR. (Must therefore compute straight pool every year.)
• Industry Growth Fund to be managed by the RSOC.
o IGF will have callable dollars of up to $20M in first year, $40M in second year, and $60M in each subsequent year of the agreement.
o Need to establish criteria for which teams may apply for IGF funding and/or will submit plans.
o IGF funding is available to any team by unanimous consent of RSOC
o IGF funding also available for industry-wide programs or projects
• RSOC has seven (7) members selected by the parties in their sole discretion, as follows
o Four employer representatives, at least one of which must by an owner
o Three (3) player representatives, at least one of which must be a player
o Parties may name up to 2 Alternate RSOC representatives who will serve in the event of absence of a member
o Need to spell out in drafting the process of the RSOC, and limited arbitral review of decisions

2) Defined Benefit Pension Plan

• The parties will establish a defined benefit pension plan under US law per the NHLPA proposal.

3) Discipline

• For on-ice discipline, there will be an appeal to a neutral arbitrator or to a panel of three arbitrators (one appointed by each side and one neutral). The standard of review will be whether the League's finding of a violation of the League Playing Rules was supported by substantial evidence, and, if so, whether the penalty imposed was within the League's reasonable discretion and consistent with past practice
• For off-ice discipline, there will be an appeal to the impartial arbitrator. The issue will be whether the discipline was for just cause.

4) Player Contracting and System Issues

• NHLPA liability for escrow is eliminated from the side letter.
• NHLPA may set a higher percentage for escrow in a given year than the formula would provide. The NHL may also set a higher percentage than the formula would provide in the last year of the agreement, provided that any number so set is not unreasonable.
• The Playoff Pool is increased per the NHLPA proposal
• Liquidated damages provisions in SPCs are prohibited. This applies only to new contracts, i.e., contracts entered into after a new CBA is in effect.
• Prompt mutual disclosure of European loan agreements, ATOs and PTOs.
• NHLPA proposal on no trade / no move clauses
• NHL proposal to prevent a team playing with less than the minimum of 18/2 is accepted provided limitation is the NHL minimum + $100,000; counts against the share but not the cap.
• Waivers
o Re-entry waivers are eliminated
o Waivers will be required to loan a player who is on emergency recall if that player has played 10 games
o NHLPA proposal on 13.23 waivers
• Four Recall Rule
o After the conclusion of the Regular Season, a Club may exercise an unlimited number of additional Regular Recalls provided that it may have no more than three (3) Players on its Active Roster who were recalled by way of Regular Recall after the Trade Deadline
• Minimum salary continues to increase on the same schedule as previous CBA, $25,000 every second year
• Goepfert Rule as proposed by NHLPA
• Performance bonus cushion in each year of the agreement
• The Lower limit must be satisfied without consideration of performance bonuses.
• Players and cash/cap trading. A team may have an unlimited number of Retained Salary Transactions up to 15% of the Upper Limit in any League year
• The amount in excess of $1M paid to a player while in the minor leagues or in Europe on an NHL contract counts against the cap (none counts against the share). This applies only to new contracts, i.e., contracts entered into after a new CBA is in effect.
• NHLPA cap benefit recapture proposal.
o Applies only to new contracts, i.e., contracts entered into after a new CBA is in effect.
o Applies to contracts of 9 years or longer
o 35 year old rule changed to provide that the cap charge taken will be as per cap benefit recapture
• Salary Arbitration
o Walk away eliminated
• Second buyout period will continue in its current form except that
o A Club may not buy out a player who was not on its Reserve List as of the most recent Trade Deadline
o A Club may not buy out a player who has a cap hit of less than $3 M
• Critical dates calendar
o Sec. 12.3(a) election moved per NHLPA proposal
o Free agency interview period per NHLPA proposal
• Salary Cap and Payroll Range
o Growth Factor, Performance Bonus Cushion, Long-Term, injury continue except for any changes already agreed to or contained in this proposal
o +8M/-8M payroll range becomes +/- 20% of midpoint beginning in 2013/14
o The Upper Limit may not fall below 67.25 M in any year of the agreement. This is half way between the 11/12 Upper Limit (64.3 M) and the 12/13 UL (70.2 M).

5) Players' Share

• Our players' share proposal is identical to yours in all material respects except for the amount of the transition payments added to the 50% share. There are no guarantees or fixed targets, other than a requirement that, beginning with the second year of the Agreement, players' share, expressed in dollars, may not fall below its value for the prior season. This proposal allows us to determine players' share regardless of the effects of the lockout and its aftermath.
• Player share will equal 50% of HRR, plus these fixed dollar payments attributable to the first four years of the agreement:
• 2012/13 $ 182 M
• 2013/14 $ 128 M
• 2014/15 $ 72 M
• 2015/16 $ 11 M
• Payment of these amounts may be deferred for one year (specific payment date to be agreed upon), with the deferral accumulating interest rate equal to the sum of the prime interest rate in effect at The J.P. Morgan Chase Bank on the next June 15, plus 1%. Payment of these fixed dollar amounts is guaranteed by the League.
• In years two through five of this Agreement, the players' share in dollars may not be less than it was in the previous year.
• Attached are charts which show this proposal against your last in the format you provided after our last proposal.

6) Term of CBA

• The term of the CBA will be for 5 years/seasons, and will end on September 15, 2017.

7) Transition Rules to be negotiated

• May cover, among other things, compliance buyouts, pro-ration of status/service and statistical criteria/thresholds based on the length of the season, movement of deadlines, and any other relevant matters.

Begining of the End

Today the NHLPA made a huge step towards the owners in their new proposal. According to sources and some quick number crunching the proposal is only 1.26m per team apart on the economics of a new deal.
In the new proposal the players are asking for another 180mil on the make whole provision to cover the losses due to the lockout..kinda fair saying that it was the owners who locked them out.

The biggest shift came in the area of the players moving off of the idea of guaranteed money to a % based revenue system. if this goes through the proposal will last for 5 years. Donald Fehr says that this was "about as good as we can do" the key word there being about.
more updates to come as the day goes on Gary Bettman will comment at 1pm on the new proposal.

I feel optimistic that this is at least the start of being able to put this behind us and watching these guys skate for once instead of behind a podium. who knows maybee Mr. Bettman will accept this heres hoping

UPDATE: according to some sources players had to convince Fher this was the way to go on the proposal and Bettman will respond at 130 now instead of 1. The only thing that might derail this is the extra 180 mil but I feel players are willing to move a bit

Till i hear more lets keep the sticks on the ice

Election Day? I want some hockey!!!!

With the activities of the weekend now quiet and talks looming on Tuesday I figured I might try and put some facts out about where the talks are reportedly at.

The mood around the talks/twitter universe after this weekend seems to be some quiet hopeful optimism from both sides.
There are reports that the NHL is willing to come halfway on the make hole agreement and that a lot of ground has been covered. But the sobering fact is there's still a lot of ground left to cover. The most hopefuls sign was the fact that Saturdays talks lasted till 1am. Another piece of hope / slash of cold water was a report by a anonymous NHL executive who said that 6-8 owners are all that stands in the way of a deal.

On a lighter note let's congratulate Washington capitals head coach Adam Oates on his soon to come hall of fame induction which will take place on nov 12. Couldn't happen I a better player. Now If only we can get some games going.

Remember people keep your stick on the ice.

Couple of points.

First of all.
Today the players and NHL are meeting today for the first time since Oct. 18th. As of about 1115 eastern time I've heard it reported that the sides are still meeting. If so if I'm not mistaken this may be the longest any meeting has gone to date. I hope this is something to be hopeful of.

Second point
Reports this week also surfaced that the hearing with the Quebec labor board will be scheduled Dec 6-7th hopefully those days won't be needed

What to take from these points things are moving unfortunately slower than us fans would like but they are moving.

where the sticking point seems to be

From a conversation over on reddit these are the 3 points the nhlpa is fighting the league over.

 A) Contract fulfillment
B) Definition of revenue
C) Intangibles

intagiables refers to stuff like airfairs hotel rooms and stuff like that. in other words owners agree to honor existing contracts and i bet you we got a deal!

Well...

Well mr Bettman you've done it again. You've managed to let hockey nation down for your political gain. You've sold out the NHL for your personel pride. An you've sold out the fans for the almighty dollar. You had a prime chance today to look good for once but you axed the deals because they weren't your own. You wonder why you are booed whenever you show up at a game. This is why.

Big day for talks

Today at 1pm the NHL and NHLPA will be meeting to hopefully either end the lockout or move stuff all g do it can happen soon. More updates to come as info becomes Available.

Fehrs' responce to players.

• "Simply put, the owners' new proposal, while not quite as Draconian as their previous proposals, still represents enormous reductions in player salaries and individual contracting rights. As you will see, at the 5 percent industry growth rate the owners predict, the salary reduction over six years exceeds $1.6 billion. What do the owners offer in return?"
• "The proposal does represent movement from their last negotiating position, but still represents very large, immediate and continuing concessions by players to owners, in salary and benefits (the Players' Share) and in individual player contracting rules."
• "They want to "clarify" HRR definition and rules. It is not immediately clear what this means, but so far all of their ideas in this regard have had the effect of reducing HRR, and thereby lowering salaries."
• "The Players' Share is reduced to 50 percent from 57 percent immediately -- this season. This is a reduction in the share of 12.3 percent. On last year's revenue numbers, this would mean that players' salaries would be cut by about $231 million."
• "The proposal includes a "Make Whole" provision, to compensate players for the anticipated reduction in absolute dollars from last year (2011-12), to this year and next year. However, it would work like this. The Players Share in subsequent years would be reduced so that this "Make Whole" payment would be made. It is players paying players, not owners paying players. That is, players are "made whole" for reduced salaries in one year by reducing their salaries in later years."
• "Finally, they also proposed that the players could appeal supplemental or commissioner discipline to a neutral arbitration, on a "clearly erroneous" standard, which, as a practical manner, makes it very unlikely that any decision would be overturned."
• "We do not yet know whether this proposal is a serious attempt to negotiate an agreement, or just another step down the road. The next several days will be, in large part, an effort to discover the answer to that question."

the cba proposal fromt the nhl from yesterday

Term:


Six-year Agreement with mutual option for a seventh year.
HRR Accounting:
Current HRR Accounting subject to mutual clarification of existing interpretations and settlements.
Applicable Players' Share:
For each of the six (6) years of the CBA (and any additional one-year option) the Players' Share shall be Fifty (50) percent of Actual HRR.
Payroll Range:
Payroll Range will be computed using existing methodology. For the 2012/13 season, the Payroll Range will be computed assuming HRR will remain flat year-over-year (2011/12 to 2012/13) at $3.303 Billion (assuming Preliminary Benefits of $95 Million).

2012/13 Payroll Range…
Lower Limit = $43.9 Million
Midpoint = $51.9 Million
Upper Limit = $59.9 Million

Appropriate "Transition Rules" to allow Clubs to exceed Upper Limit for the 2012/13 season only (but in no event will Club's Averaged Club Salary be permitted to exceed the pre-CBA Upper Limit of $70.2 Million).
Cap Accounting:
Payroll Lower Limit must be satisfied without performance bonuses.
All years of existing SPCs with terms in excess of five (5) years will be accounted for and charged against a team's Cap (at full AAV) regardless of whether or where the Player is playing. In the event any such contract is traded during its term, the related Cap charge will travel with the Player, but only for the year(s) in which the Player remains active and is being paid under his NHL SPC. If, at some subsequent point in time the Player retires or ceases to play and/or receive pay under his NHL SPC, the Cap charge will automatically revert (at full AAV) to the Club that initially entered into the contract for the balance of its term.
Money paid to Players on NHL SPCs (one-ways and two-ways) in another professional league will not be counted against the Players' Share, but all dollars paid in excess of $105,000 will be counted against the NHL Club's Averaged Club Salary for the period during which such Player is being paid under his SPC while playing in another professional league.
In the context of Player Trades, participating Clubs will be permitted to allocate Cap charges and related salary payment obligations between them, subject to specified parameters. Specifically, Clubs may agree to retain, for each of the remaining years of the Player's SPC, no more than the lesser of: (i) $3 million of a particular SPC's Cap charge or (ii) 50 percent of the SPC's AAV ("Retained Salary Transaction"). In any Retained Salary Transaction, salary obligations as between Clubs would be allocated on the same percentage basis as Cap charges are being allocated. So, for instance, if an assigning Club agrees to retain 30% of an SPC's Cap charge over the balance of its term, it will also retain an obligation to reimburse the acquiring Club 30% of the Player's contractual compensation in each of the remaining years of the contract. A Club may not have more than two (2) contracts as to which Cap charges have been allocated between Clubs in a Player Trade, and no more than $5 million in allocated Cap charges in the aggregate in any one season.
System Changes:
Entry Level System commitment will be limited to two (2) years (covering two full seasons) for all Players who sign their first SPC between the ages of 18 and 24 (i.e., where the first year of the SPC only covers a partial season, SPC must be for three (3) years).
Maintenance of existing Salary Arbitration System subject to: (i) total mutuality of rights with regard to election as between Player and Club, and (ii) eligibility for election moved to five years of professional experience (from the current four years).
Group 3 UFA eligibility for Players who are 28 or who have eight (8) Accrued Seasons (continues to allow for early UFA eligibility -- age 26).
Maximum contract length of five (5) years.
Limit on year-to-year salary variability on multi-year SPCs -- i.e., maximum increase or decrease in total compensation (salary and bonuses) year-over-year limited to 5% of the value of the first year of the contract. (For example, if a Player earns $10 million in total compensation in Year 1 of his SPC, his compensation (salary and bonuses) cannot increase or decrease by more than $500,000 in any subsequent year of his SPC.)
Re-Entry waivers will be eliminated, consistent with the Cap Accounting proposal relating to the treatment of Players on NHL SPCs playing in another professional league.
NHL Clubs who draft European Players obtain four (4) years of exclusive negotiating rights following selection in the Draft. If the four-year period expires, Player will be eligible to enter the League as a Free Agent and will not be subject to re-entering the Draft.
Revenue Sharing:

NHL commits to Revenue Sharing Pool of $200 million for 2012/13 season (based on assumption of $3.303 Billion in actual HRR). Amount will be adjusted upward or downward in proportion to Actual HRR results for 2012/13. Revenue Sharing Pools in future years will be calculated proportionately.
At least one-half of the total Revenue Sharing Pool (50%) will be raised from the Top 10 Revenue Grossing Clubs in a manner to be determined by the NHL.
The distribution of the Revenue Sharing Pool will be determined on an annual basis by a Revenue Sharing Committee on which the NHLPA will have representation and input.
For each of the first two years of the CBA, no Club will receive less in total Revenue Sharing than it received in 2011/12.
Current "Disqualification" criteria in CBA (for Clubs in Top Half of League revenues and Clubs in large media markets) will be removed.
Existing performance and "reduction" standards and provisions relating to "non-performers" (i.e., CBA 49.3(d)(i) and 49.3(d)(ii)) will be eliminated and will be adjusted as per the NHL's 7/31 Proposal.
Supplemental and Commissioner Discipline:

Introduction of additional procedural safeguards, including ultimate appeal right to a "neutral" third-party arbitrator with a "clearly erroneous" standard of review.


No "Rollback"

The NHL is not proposing that current SPCs be reduced, re-written or rolled back. Instead, the NHL's proposal retains all current Players' SPCs at their current face value for the duration of their terms, subject to the operation of the escrow mechanism in the same manner as it worked under the expired CBA.
Players' Share "Make Whole" Provision:

The League proposes to make Players "whole" for the absolute reduction in Players' Share dollars (when compared to 2011/12) that is attributable to the economic terms of the new CBA (the "Share Reduction"). Using an assumed year-over-year growth rate of 5% for League-wide revenues, the new CBA could result in shortfalls from the current level of Players' Share dollars ($1.883 Billion in 2011/12) of up to $149 million in Year 1 and up to $62 million in Year 2, for which Players will be "made whole." (By Year 3 of the new CBA, Players' Share dollars should exceed the current level ($1.883 Billion for 2011/12) and no "make whole" will be required.)
Any such "shortfalls" in Years 1 and 2 of the new CBA will be computed as a percentage reduction off of the Player's stated contractual compensation, and will be repaid to the Player as a Deferred Compensation benefit spread over the remaining future years of the Player's SPC (or if he has no remaining years, in the year following the expiration of his SPC). Player reimbursement for the Share Reduction will be accrued and paid for by the League, and will be chargeable against Players' Share amounts in future years as Preliminary Benefits. The objective would be to honor all existing SPCs by restoring their "value" on the basis of the now existing level of Players' Share dollars.

• • •

The final section here is a key one: Deferring payment on current contracts. Will the NHLPA actually trust the League to come through?
Donald Fehr responded to the offer in a letter to the players, as revealed by TSN's Bob McKenzie, including this bit on the last section:

"The proposal includes a "Make Whole" provision, to compensate players for the anticipated reduction in absolute dollars from last year (2011-12), to this year and next year. However, it would work like this. The Players Share in subsequent years would be reduced so that this "Make Whole" payment would be made. It is players paying players, not owners paying players. That is, players are "made whole" for reduced salaries in one year by reducing their salaries in later years."

Breaking News

NHL offers 50-50 split on HRR more details later

Here we go

So....how's everyone dealing with the lack of the NHL?

Well here's a couple of rumors I've heard

1.After a new CBA is signed the NHL plans to announce 2 expansion cities one in Quebec and the other Toronto.
I like the prospect of the nordiques returning as a fan of the game but I don't think another franchise in Toronto going head to head with an original 6 team is smart especially right after a work stoppage.

2. Today's meetings are supposed to address the issue of how to move forward with talks. This needs to happen. Let me say it again THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

3. For some lockout reading everyone who reads this should follow @nonhllockout12 on twitter lets grow the army and let the NHL know where they messed up most,with the fans

the number we all want.

this is gary bettmans personal line.
call it let him know how much of a douche he is
let him now of our love of hockey and hate of him
let him know that hes a failure as a human being
spread it around




(212) 789-2000 ext. 2101 is Gary Bettmans line - Let your voice be heard!!! #NoLockout - only open during weekdays! Let them know all week!

At least they are talking...

CBA talks are set to resume this Friday. most of the subjects covered this time around will be minor areas like player fines and certain rule protections. But the good news is there is some definite communication maybe it will lead to an end to the lockout!

A sad day for hockey fans and players alike.

the last thing i wanted to post this weekend is this...
at 1159et the league will lockout the players  because greed has gotten in the way.
as brooks laich said yesterday " this is what happens when adults get involved in a kids game"
i will mourn this move but stand firm in my backing of the players and hope for a quick end to this lockout.
the game will endure as much as the fans allow it to.

Glimmers of hope

@NHLPA: QLB ruling acknowledges legal issues with NHL lockout in Quebec. Says full hearing required.

NO NHL LOCKOUT

the lockout song

heard this song today it really hits it home about the fans perspective on how Bettman has handled the lockout situation. give it a listen maybe when hockey comes back everyone should sing it!

And the players shall meet

Over 300 players shall meet today in New York City to discuss the collective bargaining agreement. Tomorrow the NHL board of governors will be meeting and voting on wether or not to give Bettman the power to lockout the players Sunday morning as he plans. Lots of things are at stake in being probably the two most critical days before the lockout takes place.

Glimmer of hope or last minute ruse

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/20136435/nhlpa-trying-to-use-quebec-labour-laws-to-block-nhl-lockout


According to this link the NHLPA plans to appeal to the Quebec labor board to block a potential lockout under Quebec labor law. This would defiantly derail the league by not allowing the Canadians to lockout their players.

So is this hope or a last ditch effort?

NHL labor talks

Well update today is that te assistants have been meeting and report there are some gaps but both are willing to work to bridge those gaps

#NONHLLOCKOUT1213!!!!

http://www.change.org/petitions/gary-bettman-the-nhl-nolockout-save-the-hockey-season

this link leads to a very well done movement by fans of the nhl to stop the lockout before it happens.

there is more at stake than just owners and players. lets not forget the thousands of support workers who will be out of jobs in the event of a lockout they suffer the most.

FALL IS HERE

Well it's almost that time of year us hockey lovers wait for. Buuuuuut there is a tyrannical bastard that may keep that from us. In the coming weeks I'll try to balance between some actual hockey and hate mail or thoughts towards mr Bettman.


@NoNHLLockout12: RT - Follow @NoNHLLockout Bringing the fans together one fan at a time! #BuildTheArmy #NoLockout #FansUnite #10000Fists


Every fan of the sport should read what's happening and form an opinion.

Big day for CBA

Today 23 players are meeting the the NHL owners and Gary Bettman to present a counter proposal to the owners collective bargaining agreement it has been leaked that the players are proposing to eliminate the salary cap in favor of a luxury tax much like MLB


Edit: Donald Fher expects current proposal with salary cap still intact d lead to a new CBA agreement soon here's crossing our fingers. Go NHLPA Go!!!!

New assistant coach

The capitals have announced that Tim Hunter former caps assistant coach from 97-98. That means our bench is 100% caps veterans from the cup run. I hope this is what's called stacking the deck with wins

Callle joooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

Caps have announced that the first new assistant coach this year will be none other than the real #6 Calle Johansson. Calle has spent over 1000 games in a caps sweater as a defence man. and I'm starting to really like where this is going who's next?
Kolzig?
Bondra?
May?

Mike green:check

The Capitals and defense man Mike Green have agreed on a three-year, $18.25M contract extension.

caps sign matt clackson fromt he chicago wolves

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Matt Clackson to a one-year contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Clackson will earn $525,000 at the NHL level and $75,000 at the AHL level.

Wolski-what's a doodle?

Caps sign LW Wojtek Wolski to 1-year deal for $600K
Low risk could get some good numbers out of him. More thoughts to come later

new ECHL affilate

The Washington Capitals have agreed to an affiliation agreement with the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
“We are very pleased to announce our new ECHL affiliation with the Reading Royals,” said McPhee. “The Royals are a first-class organization where our prospects will be playing in an environment that will help them develop to their ultimate potential. We feel the proximity to both Washington and our AHL affiliate in Hershey will be beneficial to all three clubs. We would like to thank the South Carolina Stingrays and their fans for their support over the last eight seasons.”
The Royals finished the 2011-12 campaign with a record of 36-28-4-4 under head coach and director of hockey operations Larry Courville. Courville played 33 career NHL games with Vancouver and appeared in 49 games with the Hershey Bears in 2001-02. He finished his playing career in 2007-08 while playing for the Reading Royals. Reading has made the playoffs in six of its 11 seasons in the ECHL, finishing first in its division twice.
“This affiliation agreement kicks off a new era of Royals’ hockey,” said Royals general manager Mark Wallace. “The Capitals have a deep tradition of success and a proven track record of identifying and developing young talent. The history of success of professional hockey in Hershey is simply legendary. We look forward to working with the Capitals and Bears as we all seek to strengthen and grow our sport in Central Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake region. We believe that fans in Reading are going to have a unique opportunity to closely follow the development of prospects within this system, while being treated to an exceptional quality of play which we trust will translate into winning games in Reading.”

slow week slow morning development camp t-24hrs

Mike Ribeiro will wear the number 9 while playing for the Capitals.
in other news there are reports that Alex Semin is close to signing a 3 yr $30million contract in russia with CSKA

more free agency frenzy

The Washington Capitals have signed Defence man Jack Hillen formerly of the Nashville Predators on a contract reportedly worth 650,000

We got crabb!!!!!

The Caps sign energy guy Joey Crabb, from Toronto. 4th line is Probolly set still no Semin news

More stuff from nothing

More offseason magic from GMGM

The Washington Capitals have traded the rights to D Dennis Wideman to the Calgary Flames for D Jordan Henry and a 5th round pick.

Welcome back #77

 Adam Oates has been named the 16th coach in Washington capitals history.He will be here for at least 3 years as he has received a 3 year contract to coach.
Welcome back and congrats on your hall of fame class.
This makes me happy and excited can't wait for September/October
Let's finish what you started in 98!

Hall of Fame 2012

Joe Sakic, Adam Oates, Mats Sundin and Pavel Bure have been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Congrats to all players especially Coach Oates that's right you heard me more to come

Draft update: Final

Lets welcome to the great hockey city of Washington DC the newest players taken from the 2012 NHL Entry Draft:


Filip Forsberg (C/RW).
Tom Wilson (RW).
Chandler Stephenson (C/LW).
Thomas Di Pauli (C).
Austin Wuthrich (RW).
Connor Carrick (D).
Riley Barber (RW).
Christian Djoos (D).
Jaynen Rissling (D).
Sergei Kostenko

Draft update day 2

 Washington Capitals Select Chandler Stephenson With 77th Pick

With the 100th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft the #Caps select C Thomas Di Pauli

Draft Update day 1 end

Well the caps were very productive this time around. Not only did we draft 2 players in the first round Filip Forsberg and Thomas Wilson, they also traded the #54 overall pick and Cody Eakin to the Dallas Stars for Veteran Center Mike Ribiero. not bad mister GM not bad at all.

Welcome mike ribeiro

Caps have dealt center Cody Eakin and 2nd round pick (no. 54 overall) to Dallas for C Mike Ribeiro. Both Ovie and mike green have already welcomed him to Washington via twitter. He has one year left on his contract and will be a 5 million cap hit.

Draft update

Caps have dealt center Cody Eakin and 2nd round pick (no. 54 overall) to Dallas for C Mike Ribeiro.
Well played

Adam Oates are you there?

So Adam Oates has interviewed for the caps coaching position a multitude of times. Are we getting ready to welcome back #77. Here's hoping

ITS SCHEDULE DAY!!!!!!!!

here it is like Christmas. The NHL has gifted us with a peek  at whats to come this season.
first date to mark is September 24 for the third annual caps convention hope to see y'all there.
                                

                                            2012-2013 Washington Capitals schedule

found this link

apparently make a wish foundation and the caps did something big and awesome check this out.

this should make you feel like we root for the good guys

GMGM press confrence

just a few highlights from this mornings press conference.


GMGM says they are qualifying all their restricted free agents
Coaching search ongoing, no decision before draft.

No decisions yet on Wideman and Semin.

Caps set own cap internally, not worried about new CBA

@Chris_Gordon: McPhee on Kuznetsov: "They all come over eventually. … He is a terrific prospect and at some point he'll play for us."

coaching update

Craig Berube was in the mix for Caps coaching vacancy, but told he's no longer a contender.
kinda unfortunate would have loved to see chief back in dc

Preseason schedule

Now that we can look ahead the caps have gifted us with next years pre-season schedule and here it is...
the September 26  game is the Baltimore hockey classic


September 25, 7 p.m.,Vs. Boston Bruins
September 26, 7 p.m., Vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
September 30, 5 p.m., @ Detroit Red Wings
October 1, 7 p.m., @ Columbus Blue Jackets
October 3, 7 p.m., @ Boston Bruins
October 5, 7 p.m., Vs. Nashville Predators
October 7, 7 p.m., Vs. Detroit Red Wings

The offseason is offically here.

Congratulations Los Angeles Kings on wining the Cup. it was a good battle
Congratulations to Johnathan Quick for winning the Con Smyth Trophy
Its the first Stanley cup in Kings History, guess what that means next year its our turn
LETS GO CAPS!!!!

you know your a goalie when...

You know you're addicted to goaltending when....

Noone plays golf with you because you always stand in front of the hole and keep people from hitting the ball in

Everytime you sit on the floor it's in a buterfly position

Your wife asks you why you didn't even blink when she walked naked in front of the hockey game on TV and you ask her "What the hell are you talking about?"

....And the whole time you're talking to her you still don't realize she's naked.

Best friend tosses you the car keys but the throw is way to low and to the right. You respond with a kicksave.


Your wife complains she's just started her period, so you say you'll come back in 20 minutes.

St Louis is the city with that landmark which looks like a giant 5-hole.

Acceptable words for my 8 year old son to use: ***, Damn, bitch, Sh*t, and F--K
Unacceptable words for my 8 year old son to use: Jagr, Forbserg, and Hull

Goalie store BB is down and you suddenly realize there are like hundreds, maybe even thousands of other websites out there, most of which are gay porn.

You are envious of baseball catchers because they have a 12 foot tall fence that prevents the ball from getting too far past them

While everyone shovels snow off their driveways this winter, you get out and zamboni yours.

.... and then "scuff" it.

You watch NHL 2-Nite because of Darren Pang (seriously ill addicts only)

Can't understand why searching your Palm Pilot's Holy Bible gave hits for "Joseph" but not for "Roy"

for the knuble fan in all of us.

I honestly have had no luck in writing  anything about Knubles departure from Washington.

Instead I'm going to offer this link from Russianmachineneverbreaks.com as it was written by the loyal mike knuble knighthood.Goodbye,Mike Knuble

More free agencey updates:

Veteran and Potomac MD native Jeff Halpern will not return in a Capitals uniform next season.

Free agency update: once a cap always a cap

In some disheartening news. GMGM will not be offering Veteran Mike Knuble a contract to stay with the capitals next season. More news and quotes to come later.

Chocolate and hockey

The Hershey Bears have just announced that they will be having an outdoor winter classic game at Hershey park stadium Sunday January 20th.
Tickets go on sale the morning of June 18th.

Playoffs update:

I know the caps are out of the playoffs for the year but...historically you all should know.
I'M ROOTING FOR THE KINGS FOR THE CUP
there i said it.
nothing to see here
nothing at all.
but anyway the kings are 1 win away from winning it all i figured id just put this PSA out there for everyone to know.

now back to regularly scheduled programing.....