Hockey's Standard Bearers Careless

I have to say I am a little sick of hearing that fans will have to do without hockey this fall. It's a pervasive arrogance that would allow player and owner alike to believe that one league equates to an entire sport with worldwide participation.

That said, the NHL is still the unquestioned standard bearer of the sport. The best players in the world ply their trade in NHL arenas (usually) and the game at its highest level is normally found in one of 30 North American cities.

Babies With Bath Water: Habs Page Turning Often Hurts

Today comes the news that Andrei Kostitsyn signs a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL.

Perhaps he's the first of many to sign come tomorrow, but his signing represents a little disappointment for the Habs organization.

Holiday Reading

The editor must be on holiday. How else does one explain the error-ridden and misinformed piece of tripe that the paper published today about the Habs?

I am going to link it, because it's that ridiculous.

According to Vincent Lubrano, correspondent and fan from the Garden State, Francis Bouillon is not French enough, Francis is not a name used by Quebec French name, Louis Leblanc does not exist and the Canadiens would be better off with 20 average players from the home province.

The Parties In Negotiation

The NHL collective bargaining process is starting to get interesting.

The storyline we are going to live with for the next month (months if we take a cynical view) is Team Owner vs. Team Player.

You know, if it were really that simple, I think this thing would get settled. The complexity of the thing is really much greater.

More Fodder For Subban

You don't want term, you don't want high contracts? Let me present exhibit Pacioretty.

PK Subban wins on the back of the Pacioretty deal. PK is the better and more valuable player, and though he's had less NHL seasons, he's had as many good ones.

A Lot To Fehr

Despite Donald Fehr's arrogant posturing, it appears the NHL will not be willing to play a season without a CBA after all.

September 15th is now a drop dead date for the players to read those 76,000 pages of audit.

One Thing Leads To Another

One thing always leads to another. This may be a revelation for the Habs green GM who reportedly just offered a contract of 2 years for $5.5 million to PK Subban.

Subban rejected that. You don't say.