The Canadian Press reports that the NHL and the players’ association will get back to negotiating table on Wednesday at an undisclosed location with U.S. federal mediators Scot L. Beckenbaugh and John Sweeney set to rejoin the process.
On Monday, the league cancelled all games through Dec. 30. Tuesday is Day 87 of the lockout.
Read more by clicking here.
Tuesday also marks the 20th anniversary of Gary Bettman being named commissioner of the NHL. Tweeted Chris Johnston of The Canadian Press: ”As Gary Bettman celebrates his 20th anniversary as NHL commissioner, it’s amazing to think only six men have run the league since 1917.”
The six are: Frank Calder (1917-43), Red Dutton (1943-46), Clarence Campbell (1946-77), John Ziegler (1977-92), Gil Stein (1992-93) and Bettman (1993-present).
Below is a column Michael Farber (now with Sports Illustrated) wrote for The Gazette after Bettman was hired:
NHL opens up to an outsider
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON DEC. 12, 1992
MICHAEL FARBER
THE GAZETTE
After a lifetime of dueling-banjos inbreeding, of staying in the clan, of assuming the business of hockey belonged to hockey men and not businessmen, the National Hockey League opened a door to the outside world.
Gary Bettman walked through it yesterday.
He is 40 years old. He is an expert in labour and licensing. But the most significant thing on his resume is this: he is an outsider.
Bettman is the No. 3 man in the National Basketball Association, the godfather of the salary cap, and if he has no clue where he was when Paul Henderson scored The Goal, he probably knows where he was when Willis Reed hobbled onto the court to help beat the Los Angeles Lakers. Who cares? The first NHL commissioner will like hockey more than John Ziegler in any case, but being able to recount the particulars of Boston’s Too Many-Men penalty doesn’t matter much any more. Business does. The facts of business life are CEOs jump from corporation to corporation and if you have a track record – and Bettman does – you can produce and package almost any sort of widget.
The NHL search committee was clever enough to know it had to go outside the family. In ditching the Deliverance pose, the league might have found its deliverance.
Bettman came across well in his first press conference in Palm Beach. He spoke with a forthrightness and an accent direct from the blues at Madison Square Garden. He promised a full review of league matters and although he skated when asked his opinion about fighting and a Dream Team, the generalities and evasions were without Zieglerian pomposity. Bettman obviously knows the route. When asked if he thought television was his first priority, he said no, collective bargaining.
The collective bargaining agreement, forged after a 10-day strike last spring that sealed Ziegler’s demise, expires after this season, and Bettman’s first call after his appointment was to Players Association director Bob Goodenow. Bettman has to conclude a partnership with, by nature, the least militant group of athletes you can find, and a salary cap and a revised revenue sharing program should be an easy sell. As Quebec governor Marcel Aubut said from Florida, “We have everything under control but our labour costs.” There is no one better equipped for the job than Bettman.
But Bettman should wade into other areas Feb. 1 when he takes over as the game’s – not merely the owner’s – commissioner. In no particular order, we suggest:
* The pension case. In October the NHL and NHL Pension Society lost a $25-million-plus Ontario court judgment in a case brought by Gordie Howe et. al. Now it should drop the appeal. There is no reason the league should be at war with pillars of the game such as Howe and Bobby Hull, especially now that there is $100 million in fresh expansion money.
* Drug policy. The NHL’s level of sophistication has been, “Oooooooh, drugs are bad.” This likely is true enough, but it doesn’t address the problem. Top cop Ziegler would pass out discretionary suspensions for anyone dumb enough to get caught or let the word leak out, which discouraged players from seeking rehabilitation. The NBA has a humane program, one that encourages dependent players to get help but also has lifetime bans for chronic offenders. There are ways back into the NBA, but at least there are no Steve Howes. The NHL, reeling from John Kordic’s death, can borrow this one whole.
* The Dream Team. Don’t. The NHL has its Olympics, which goes by the name of Canada Cup. The NHL season would have to start in September and end near July in 1993-94, but the real drawback is the Dream Team has been done, and no one ever will do it better than Bettman’s NBA in Barcelona. Let it go. You try to recreate Woodstock, you get Altamont.
* Singular collective team names. Ban them. A sure sign of a league’s decline is when it permits verbal assaults like Tampa Bay Lightning or, back on Bettman’s old turf, Miami Heat. You get nothing but “s” in major league baseball and the National Football League. Make the Miami expansion team plural while the Disney team in Anaheim should, of course, be called The Mighty Ducks a la Orange County.
* Expansion. The NHL has improved the gene pool by admitting Disney and H. Wayne Huizenga of Blockbuster Video. Now give the new owners a legitimate shot at the talent pool for their $50 million. Instead of being able to protect 14 players, the 24 clubs should be allowed to only stow 12. (Some tough calls there in Ottawa and San Jose.)
* Playoffs. In his mad five-month campaign to be commissioner before he turtled yesterday morning in what is being portrayed as a magnanimous gesture, NHL president Gil Stein flitted about many issues but the most important one – the playoffs. This is where the league makes its money and its name, and the system is in need of repair. Enough with Montreal-Boston every year. Change the format so No. 1 plays No. 8 in each conference. But Bettman’s real test is restoring lustre to the Stanley Cup. Unlike baseball or football, where general interest peaks at the World Series or Super Bowl, many NHL cities lose interest in the playoffs after the home team is out. The Stanley Cup has to become an event again.
* Black uniforms. Enough. Halt the black plague. Psychologists and market researchers love them, but the fashion fad has gone too far. Be a primary-color commissioner.
* Fighting. As they say in New York, fuggedaboudit. This is the freak show, the uncivility that has a basic emotional appeal and thus a place on the fringes of the NHL. The NHL already has it under control, and the commissioner should skip the debate and proceed directly to the treasure hunt for the missing rules concerning stick fouls and interference everyone swears they saw two months ago.
Any more questions, ask. Unlike Ziegler, we’re always available.
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Hey this kid Dumont can handle himself. Took down Sullivan pretty good.
This Hour has 22min today. “The Lockout Sweater” Hilarious.Check it out Amigos!
Sportsnet adds 6 AHL games this month (4 of them are the Bulldogs):
http://theahl.com/sportsnet-adds-6-ahl-games-to-schedule-p180780
–Go Habs Go!–
Thanks for the heads up!
Ditto, Thanks Amigo! Frontenac is ready for some Dogs Hockey!
The puck was just dropped on TVA as well tonight.
Here’s hoping Louis Leblanc gets going shortly. He’s been back a few games and it would be nice to see him start putting up his numbers.
He’s not 18, 19 or 20-years-old anymore, he’ll be 22 in a month. Every player develops differently and Leblanc still has plenty of time but at 22-years-old you’d hope that your first round draft pick from a few years back would be noticeable on almost every shift in the AHL.
I’m not dumping on him but like I said, I’d like to see him get going!
Looking forward to watching the Dogs on TVA tonight!
Danny Kristo’s North Dakota team leads the NCAA in attendance.
http://www.collegehockeynews.com/almanac/attendance.php
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And they don’t even have a name!
Well to be fair, they have the best nickname in pro sports, for humour content anyways.
The UND’s (pronounced the Undies) ? I mean come on!
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Go Habs Go!
I believe that except for maybe (likely) the Remparts, UND has the highest attendance of any hockey team in North America this season. Sounds like a good place for Kristo and MacMillan to be playing hockey.
–Go Habs Go!–
Bulldog Game thread.
http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/hamilton-bulldogs/2012/12/11/3755378/hamilton-bulldogs-game-thread-bulldogs-vs-monsters-ahl-habs-montreal-canadiens
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Player of the week: Nate the Great!
Not bad for the kid that has been taking some heat around here lately.
In other news, RUSH has finally been admitted in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. It’s about time.
Now lets get the season started already.
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“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
Deep Purple snubbed again…yet Donna Summer is inducted posthumously? Glad for Rush but some of the decisions leave you shaking your head.
Seriously? Deep Purple is not even in the same league as Rush. (can’t stand Rush)
Can’t stand??? That’s pretty harsh.
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“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
I’d say they’re at least in the same league. They’d take ‘em in a seven game series; they’ve got two more guys in the band.
But seriously, they had some great albums in the seventies and Perfect Strangers was a pretty good album for a bunch of old hard rockers more recently. I think they should have been in years ago.
Besides it’s not as though they had to beat out Rush to get in, and they are certainly more deserving than Donna Freakin’ Summer.
Disclaimer: I’m a Deep Purple fan, I don’t care much for Rush, and I absolutely hate disco.
Deep Purple would only have one word for you: Hush.
It makes you wonder about who runs the R&RHOF and who decides who gets in. I think they should let fans nominate the inductees. As for Deep Purple, I was not aware that they were not in yet. Another travesty! Let’s hope someone wakes up soon.
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“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
Sat with 2 members of Journey on an ill fated flight a couple of weeks ago. Nice guys, posed for a picture. Then the flight was cancelled and the vacation from hell started. Boycott United Airlines. Make Air Canada look like KAL. Worst customer service (English is their customer service reps 3rd language. French would rank worse. Positive they have blank screens with white out in their native language that translates to ” Sorry cannot help you”.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-prospects/trevor-timmins-on-a-mission-for-character/
http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-prospects/hudon-up-for-next-challenge/
WHY I’M DEPRESSED
Over five thousand years ago, Moses said to the children of Israel , “Pick up your shovels, mount your asses and camels, and I will lead you to the Promised Land.”
Nearly 75 years ago, (when Welfare was introduced) Roosevelt said, “Lay down your shovels, sit on your asses, and light up a Camel, this is the Promised Land.”
20 years ago, the NHL hired Bettman who chose to break ground in the southern belt with his mini shovel, went to New York to sit on his ass, hired a bunch of trolls (a.k.a. North American Camels) and said to them “Welcome to the New Promised Land!”
Today the government has stolen our shovel, taxed our asses, raised the price of Camels, and mortgaged the Promised Land to China!
The NHL has stolen our game, raised salaries and ticket prices, and sold Hockey land to the unconscionable.
I was so depressed last night thinking about my retirement, the economy, the wars, lost jobs, and most importantly, NO HOCKEY!
I called a Suicide Hotline. I had to press 1 for English.
I was then connected to a call center in Pakistan. I told them I was suicidal. They got excited and asked if I could drive a truck……
Now that is funny!!!!!!!!!!!
Good job Brian.
Disturbing and funny. Well done sir.
Hell, Bri! Toooooooooo nasty!
Please stay on the line, your call is important to us, thank you for your patience.
wjc
Who said suicidal people aren’t useful?
Pints and Table Dances at The Beach Hotel Amigo! Worked for me every time!
I no longer am worried about you. There could be nothing wrong with anyone with this kind of imagination. CHeers bud.
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@bri. Booze,Topless Dancers and Smokes.The Holy Trinity of Anti-Depression.Quebec style. Saludos Amigo!
Twenty years ago today – Gary Bettman ain’t no Sgt Pepper…..
He’s not even Billy Shears.
And Fehr is no Norma Rae.
Bob”s sister?
LMAO!
Not every mention of Gary Bettman is a word association game that requires a reply about Donald Fehr. Comments like this one of yours are tiresome.
Right about now, it’s hard not to think of one without thinking about the other… (or, replace think with loath)
Fehr is treated around here by many like some sort of second coming. To me, he and Bettman are what’s wrong with the league right now.
For others, without owners there aren’t any teams or leagues. These guys pay the freight for everything and should have a chance at a return for their money, not an automatic loss. Remember, without owners there isn’t a league. Of course, without players we’d all be watching ice and looking at the ads along the boards.
I agree with Cal.
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I’m surprised the HIO size queens have not complained about the loss of big guy Alain Berger.
Who?
I think he is some Swiss guy.
@aaronward_nhl
CBA meetings between NHL and NHLPA that are to take place at undisclosed location WILL involve a mediator. #TSN
Has all the sounds of the Batcave to me, gotta be Alfred doing the mediating.
As long as Alfred uses terms like “Master Gary” and “Master Donald,” I’m sure they’ll be OK with his mediation.
Is the location undisclosed because Bettman does not want D.Fehr to know where it is?
–Go Habs Go!–
it is at Starbucks
“Keep your stick on the Ice”
Oh look, the giant shaved ape is up to his old tricks, and Miro Satan is not happy about it, saying Chara ruined their friendship.
http://nesn.com/2012/12/miroslav-satan-says-friendship-with-zdeno-chara-is-over-after-big-hits-from-big-defenseman-video/
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
This was a clear case of keep your head up when skating through the middle of the ice. Nothing like Max Pac hit.
Chara is still an ape and should be locked up in a cage, though.
I didn’t say it was like the Max Pac hit. Not much like that hit.
But the first hit was high and late.
The second hit in the neutral zone was not as bad.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
A cage wouldn’t do it, that thing needs to be frozen in carbonite and shot into space, toward the sun.
Hit in front of the net was a little late but the big hit by the bench was clean. Suicide pass. They teach you that at a young age…maybe not in Slovakia I guess.
Regardless Chara is a still a giant D bag. Still love Price snubbing him at the All star game and not shaking his hand. Sends a true message of how he feels about him
“Keep your stick on the Ice”
The guy reporting it says the second hit is all on Satan for coming out with his head down but Chara catches him right on the jaw with his shoulder. Nasty hit.
i think he is just too big to play the kind of game that he plays, with the big giant plastic shoulderpads he probably could have killed the guy.
Both hits totally clean.
Only a Boon fan would think both hits were clean. The first hit was a day and a half late for cripes sake. The second, was clean.
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He left his feet a little each time. There should never be a reason for Chara to leave his feet.
Wayne’s doing alright.
http://www.calgaryherald.com/homes/Mansion+built+Wayne+Gretzky+listed+995M/7681628/story.html
He is doing more than alright…check out their cottage:
http://bustedcoverage.com/2012/07/16/paulina-gretzky-shows-off-familys-idaho-vacation-house-water-slides/
“Keep your stick on the Ice”
holy smokes check out picture 6 of 24 (bottom of page)….this girl is a you know what.
If I caught my daughter posting pictures like that there would be heck to pay!
“Keep your stick on the Ice”
Good thing is she isn’t your daughter, so your in the clear Kooch!
LOL. Point taken. I wonder what Wayne thinks of them
Have to wonder how happy he is that his daughter has become an exhibitionist slut. I mean, sure, Janet is proud as punch that Paulina is following in her stiletto heel prints, but dad must still be a lot disappointed.
How do you really feel Cal?
Personally, I prefer #7 but yeah… way to make daddy proud.
I didn’t see the see through part….good eye Timo
“Keep your stick on the Ice”
I do what I can to help
Let’s be honest…she’s about another 5-10 years away from never being heard from again. She does not appear to be the sharpest tool in the shed.
I have thought the same of Lohan, Hilton, etc… yet we still keep hearing… but I will gave Wayne’s girl the benefit of the doubt, just for Wayne.
you actually looked at the pictures of the cottage.. picture 6 was the first one for me
“Wayne’s doing alright.”
Are you sure? It looks like the poor guy can barely afford to clothe his daughter.
–Go Habs Go!–
Bazinga!
“Keep your stick on the Ice”
Happy Anniversary! Heck of a Job Brownie….er, Gary!
If this whole lockout thing is miraculously resolved, what happens to P.K.. Do you think that they(P.K. and Habs) could come up with a contract overnight?
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“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
It’ll happen a damn sight quicker than the CBA – lol
it’ll happen during the 2nd intermssion of the first game….PK will be on the ice for the 3rd period
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It’ll always be Habs Inside/Out to me
I admit it. I laughed.
Furious Bleacher Report Editor Will Make Staff Rank Things All ______ Night If He Has To (note – some objectionable language, so you’ve been warned.)
Sometimes, satire sites deliver some gold.
My other favourite, courtesy of Despair.com:
Blogging – Never before have so many with so little to say said so much to so few.
The Onion always provides a few good laughs.
Look at some of the players who jumped in the previous lockout overseas….was shocked to see pro union brother Eric Cole on there:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/08/20/nhl_players_see_success_other_leagues_in_2004-05_nhl_lockout/
“Keep your stick on the Ice”
Where team Canada’s selection camp players play:
Overall——18 OHL, 10 WHL, 7 QMJHL, 1 AHL
OHLers are predominate in every position.
20 Forwards—9 OHL, 4 WHL, 6 QMJHL, 1 AHL
12 Dmen——-6 OHL, 5 WHL, 1 QMJHL
4 Goalies——-3 OHL, 1 WHL
–Go Habs Go!–
I’ll just quote the great philosphers Perry and Tyler.
“It’s the same old story. Same old song and dance, my friend.”
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Ka is a wheel.
Fans Theme: “You’re Breaking my heart, You’re tearin’ it apart” – Harry Nilsson
You’re breaking my heart
Good question Prop, but It sounds like only players are saying that. I think players would love arbitration, methinks owners are against that.
If they are as close to a deal as they claim, why not go to arbitration?
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“Access Forbidden” gettin’ ya down?
Hold down Shift while clicking refresh.
Heavens to Betsy, Prop, I think they’ve been lying to us!!!!
For shame!!
I read some but post rarely. Here is my take on the lock out. We (fans, media, etc…) look at the facts or at least the “facts” as they are given to us. Much of which can’t possibly be true because it is contradictory. For example: Prior to the last CBA the players were getting 73% of revenue. This means the NHL and teams survived on 27% and now they can’t survive on 43% of a much larger pie? And won’t be able to survive on 50% unless they also get x,y and z in addition to the extra cash. Expenses beyond salaries have increased that much since 2004?!!! Tell someone who will believe you.
This is the point at which it gets dicey. The players feel (rightly or wrongly) that they got shafted in the last CBA and do not trust Bettman at all. When Bettman was asked about trust he was taken aback in that 30 minute media scrum after talks fell apart. He was asked about trust again later and basically said “I don’t see what trust has to do with it”. Therein lies the problem. Bettman is a liar. During the last CBA he said we needed this so ticket prices would be more affordable. They have doubled since then on average… I could go on and on but he is a documented liar. He may think the players are stupid but most people can recognize a lie. During the current lockout Bettman has stated several times that the NHL is losing about 20 million/day and the players 8-10 million? Say what Gary? Interesting percentages you have there… Gary also says the players need to give because so far only the league has moved… Really Gary? Going from 57% to 50% for the players is a move by the owners? Term limits on contracts is a move toward the players? Tell the truth Gary, the only place the owners have moved from is their ridiculous original offer of 43% for the players etc… Essentially a 14% pay cut in a business that is growing? People can hate the players for being greedy but this isn’t even about money anymore. The players are tired of Bettman bullying them and they hired Fehr to stand up to him and that is what he is doing. Now we have two opposing forces, both of which taking lying and manipulating to places most can’t imagine. I’ll be surprised if there is hockey next season. All I can say is “Gary, you live by the sword, you die by the sword…”
What has been will be again, there is nothing new under the sun.
Prediction:
Wednesday: We are getting closer, there is a chance to save the season.
Thursday; We are still moving closer, but tensions are rising, this thing can blow up at any second.
Friday: Despite being closer then ever, we hate each other and talks have broken off. Fehr says Bettman is a poopyhead and Bettman says Fehr is stupidbrain. Talks break off til next week.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
I would like to see the Huberdeau, Mackinnon, Drouin line in the World Juniors.
I think that line lights up the lamp against anyone.
As well as that line played for 1 game in the super series. I think they will want to try Huberdeau (their best winger) with RNH (their best center) and see if there is any chemistry.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Drouin, MacKinnon and Huberdeau sure showed a lot of chemistry in that one game together and put 4 past Vasilevski. Drouin and MacKinnon know each other very well and Huberdeau clicked with them right away. I would love to see that line again, they were a lot of fun to watch!
–Go Habs Go!–
I agree with everything except the insults.
It’ll be poopybrain & stupidhead.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
I think I’d prefer Poopyhead.
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Saturday: Bettman fired, Ikea monkey becomes new NHL commissioner.
Darwin The Ikea Monkey is Free At Last!
Now Free Pussy Riot!
Get the feeling they’ll be serious about the meeting when they schedule one in the AM? Until they do, they’re full of it.
Prediction’s are for Gypsy’s.
So here is a fact! No hockey in 2012- 2013 season!
Okay, Ian, nice Toe Blake quote. But I disagree, you can take this to the bank Hockey January 1,2 or 3rd. This will be settled in a few days.
wjc
Another meeting. Another press conference filled with acrimony. Can’t wait. Yawn.
http://calsnhllockout2012songparodies.weebly.com/
When does the Tank Train pull into the old station?
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Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
OMG! There is hope that there will be an NHL Season! So they can make money from the dummies who will always come back. -_-
Man I wish I was smart…
Now now little one, I’m sure you’ll be as smart as me one day. But probably not.
Aww well, I was having a decent day, but turns out my life is ruined.
Go have a poutine buddy! BTW I was included in the dummies, so it was never meant to be a condescending statement. Just saying that these lockouts need to stop forever not just for 5-10 years.
Don’t worry Shiram, you have lots of company.
wjc
This shouldn’t take long. Donald Fehr says they are very close and have agreements on almost every issue.
–Go Habs Go!–
There’s a hole in the bucket dear liza……….
…
Who Cares