Anyone have any update on Lubo and his filing??
The arbitration hearing for Lubomir Visnovsky's trade grievance might not be held until CBA negotiations are over. Wow.[ [The Fourth Period]][]
uh ohs...
NHL talks could start to turn icy
By MARK EVERSON
Last Updated: 4:05 AM, August 9, 2012
Posted: 3:00 AM, August 9, 2012
Read more: [http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/devi
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]They sweated the small stuff with “heated discussions” Wednesday. It bodes ominously that fireworks could erupt when the NHL and its Players Association finally argue the big “lockout issues’’ in the next week.
Union head Donald Fehr joins the CBA negotiations Thursday at NHL headquarters in midtown, and is expected to challenge the NHL’s proposals for revising methods of counting revenue today and tomorrow. But sources say Fehr is not likely to present the union’s economic proposal — the big one — until the sides reconvene in Toronto, starting Monday.
<!-- context: middle -->Fehr arrived in New York yesterday from Barcelona, where he conferred with his European constituency, but did not join the “small group” talks that focused on grievance arbitration in the morning, and supplemental discipline.n the afternoon.“At times there have been heated exchanges. There were definitely strong opinions on both sides, especially when it comes to supplementary discipline,” said Mathieu Schneider, special assistant to Fehr. “I wouldn’t describe them as adversarial, not at all.”
The union dislikes the Lone Justice format, starring Brendan Shanahan as ruler of the rink, with any appeals of his verdicts heard by his bosses and would The union would prefer an independent arbitrator for appeals.
Handling such side issues before the main ones are settled may lead to a repeat of the union’s last fiasco, when player Shanahan sought a rules committee which ownership could negotiate against on other issues. The current CBA expires Sept. 15
“It seems to be an important issue for the players. It’s an important area of discussion. It’s an important issue for the league,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said of the supplementary discipline/safety talks.
Both sides are waiting to see Fehr’s proposals, expecting him to take a militant stance against further concessions on the salary cap.
A proposal to dismantle the current salary cap would be a bold declaration of intent. Fehr will have to demonstrate his historic other-sport strength in these negotiations, since tough negotiator Bob Goodenow fell victim to a cabal in 2005 that snatched defeat from the jaws of union victory.
The league has proposed drastic give-backs by the union with little inducement. The NHL’s proposal would cut the players’ share of revenue from 57 percent to 46 percent, and the union calls it 43 percent because of proposed changes in counting revenue. The union says that plan amounts to a 25 percent pay cut. The league also wants to extend entry contracts from three years to five, and severely limit salary arbitration.
[mark.everson@nypost.com]
Read more: [http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/deviBy Brian Stubits | NHL Blogger
August 9, 2012 10:45 am ET
The city of Markham, Ontario really wants a brand spanking new NHL-ready arena and it could be on the way as soon as this Fall.
On Wednesday a site plan that calls for an arena that seats 20,000 was unveiled at a news conference. It's been in the works for some time now, at least the financing part of it, and now we're starting to seem more real with actual plans coming to the forefront. Soon we could see material progress.
[From the ][Toronto Sun]:
Once it's approved, a building permit can be issued and construction can begin on the $325-million arena.
Scarpitti said the city will make the project a priority: "The review of this application will be priority number one for us here in Markham."
He told reporters that starting construction this fall is ambitious, but "it's possible we could be in the ground later this year."
The goal is to have the arena completed by 2014. For those keeping track of the great relocation race in the NHL, the [Islanders]' lease on Long Island ends after the 2014-2015 season.
It's an awfully big gamble for Markham, though. I have little doubt that the Greater Toronto Area would be a good spot for a second NHL team. They support the [Maple Leafs] to no end and the amount of overflow fans is sizable. Why would anybody think hockey-crazy Toronto couldn't handle another team?
Well the Leafs, for one. OK, it's not that they don't think the area could handle another team, it's more likely that they know Toronto could handle another team and they don't like that. They make more in revenue than any other team in hockey and it's not really close. The Maple Leafs aren't looking to welcome any neighbors to the NHL, just ask Hamilton. Not to mention there is some pretty heavy competition building for NHL teams across the continent.
That's why it's a gamble, they're going up against the house. If they do get the arena built it would be a fight tooth and nail to get an NHL team. Sure, the arena could be used for other functions like concerts and competitions such as the World Junior Hockey Championships or other such events, but that's not going to fill up a calendar completely. It's tough without a primary tenant.
Considering the taxpayers are going to be footing a lot of the bill, it's understandable if there is a lot of trepidation over such an expensive venture that doesn't have much in guarantees other than a shiny new building. From the National Post:
Markham councillor Jim Jones fears the group's financial plan will put an unnecessary burden on new home and condominium owners.
"I don't think future home owners should be on the hook to finance this facility," Mr. Jones said. "It is the problem and the responsibility of the private sector and they've had plenty of time to get other investors."
It's a constant debate anytime you're talking about new arena. We all want to have fancy new buildings and potentially the big tenant to fill it, but not nobody wants to pay the high costs, especially without concrete assurances.
But back to the practicalities (and dreams) of getting an NHL team: I have little doubt Markham could handle a team and Toronto would hardly feel a dent in its bottom line. I also have little doubt it is very unlikely to happen.
For more hockey news, rumors and analysis, follow [@EyeOnHockey] and [@StubitsCBS] on Twitter and like us on [Facebook].
Barclay's will be the Islanders new home for several seasons until they get a real colesium built.Ted if they move to the Barclays without a deal prior, they are not coming back to Nassau and a new Coliseum, they will move to another state or Oh Canada. Sad but true.
