6/27 Notes
CBA negotiations
Last week both sides worked to negotiate a deal to put a halt to the current lockout. However, specifics have not been disclosed from the meetings. “Obviously, we know that time is of the essence in working to conclude a new CBA, and both sides are proceeding on that basis,” NHL executive vice president Bill Daly said in a statement.
Two weeks ago word leaked out that the NHL and NHLPA agreed on a deal that was based on a salary-cap system on a team-by-team revenue. According to the Globe and Mail of Toronto, each team will have its own salary floor and cap, which will be determined by team revenue. The cap could reasonably range from $34-36 million and the floor, $22-24 million. The Globe and Mail also reports that the cap would include benefits like signing and performance bonuses. In between the cap and floor, a luxary tax would kick in dollar for dollar. The players’ original offer of a 34 percent rollback is believed to remain part of that deal.
“Progress has been made in a number of areas, but there remains a considerable amount of work to be completed in order to reach an agreement,” union senior director Ted Saskin said.
While the draft was canceled in March, TSN is reporting that if a deal is reached, the draft date would be on August 6, 2005.
NHL players are “lab rats”
Bill Adams, a management attorney who specialized in labor disputes, views NHL players as “lab rats” after seeing the NBA close a deal and prevent a lockout for their next season. Adams believes that the NHL losing a full season to a lockout and its results will dictate sport league’s negotiations.
“I think you’re going to see a lot of modeling done in professional sports after the NHL situation. It probably will stabilize labor relations in sports for a long time,” he said. “While the financial circumstances are different, I think all professional athletes, except golfers, have been scared by the way it unfolded.”Â
NHL teams start to return staff
Today, June 27, the Nashville Predators extended head coach Barry Trotz’s contract. Trotz has been the only coach for the franchise since August 8, 1997. In 2004, he led the team to its first playoff game with an overall record of 183-328-60-21.
“This is the coaching staff that we want leading the Nashville Predators when the National Hockey League returns,” general manager David Polie said. “Our goal is for Barry Trotz to pick up where he left off and build upon our playoff run in 2004.”Â
The Predators on Monday also signed assistant coach Peter Horachek, associate coach Brent Peterson, goaltending coach Mitch Korn, video coach Robert Bouchard and strength and conditioning coach David Good to contract extensions.
The St. Louis Blues have also signed Mike Kitchen as coach. The Chicago Blackhawks and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim also have new general managers; coach Brian Sutter was fired from the Blackhawks. This recent flicker of activity among NHL teams and their staff are like the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, they have been led to believe a deal can be met and that a season will be in place for 2005-2006.
Some Red Wings tidbits
The Hockey News reported in mid-June that Steve Yzerman along with seven hockey friends went to Scotland on an eight day trip in celebration of his 40th birthday. The tour included many of golf’s oldest and finest courses like Aberdeen, Carnoustie, and Troon. Yzerman’s hockey buddies include Kris Draper, Steve Duschesne, Eric Lindros, Darren Pang, Robert Lank, Ray Whitney, and Steve Thomas.
The Hockey News also reported:
Top right wing prospect Igor Grigorenko has agreed to play for Severstal Cherepovets of the Russian Super League in 2005-06. The 22-year-old native of Togliatti, Russia spent 2004-05 with both his hometown club (Lada Togliatti) and Salavat Yulayev Ufa in the RSL (41 GP, 11-8-19, +8, 28 PIM). Grigorenko could find himself with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins–or possibly in Detroit–if NHL play resumes in September, but the organization may want him to continue to develop overseas. After all, he’s still not all the way back following a car accident in 2003.Â
“There will be a season”
Earlier today I “bumped” into Ken Daniels with a friend and we inquired about the hockey league and if there will be a season next year. Ken Daniels does play by play announcing with Mickey Redmond for Fox Sports Net in the Detroit area for pretty much all of our Wings’ games. As you all know, I’m not one to spread rumors. But he said that after talking with many agents and GMs (but not the Red Wings’ GM, Ken Holland) that a deal should be signed in the next couple weeks and we’ll have a season in October. Take it as you will (probably with a grain of salt), but I wanted to let everyone know who reads this blog. And I sure hope he’s right!
And I’m sorry I haven’t updated much over the past bit. Excuses aside, I should start updating pretty consistently after June 18th. I graduate from high school on the 16th and we have an all night party and all that fun stuff.