Hockeybird.com: CBA Issues Hang Over All-Stars

The Rodent discusses the possible Sean Burke move to Philly. It seems that Flyers GM Bobby Clark is willing to part with former Oilers star Mike Comrie. I don't know why I wanted that guy so much but I thought he'd make a good addition to the Blueshirt lineup.

Newsday - With thousands of fans gathered at Xcel Center eager to celebrate hockey, the hottest topic of conversation yesterday concerned the greatest threat to the game.

Daily News - "What we do is a punishing sport. There are only 500 people in the world who can do what we do, and we deserve to be paid well," Roe-nick said. "Someone like myself or Keith Tkachuk or Mike Modano, we don't have to play another game in the league. We want to do what's good for the game, and a lockout's not good for the game."

Daily News - Asked if the NHL was worried about a Janet Jackson-type R-rated escapade during its All-Star Weekend, commissioner Gary Bettman said, "The entertainment we will have will be by the Barenaked Ladies, who will be neither naked nor ladies."

NY Post - Record aside, Jaromir Jagr has made a greater impact on the Rangers in two weeks than Alex Kovalev has in a year since coming back to Broadway. Sather's main task at this week's GM's meetings will be to lay the groundwork for auctioning Kovalev to contenders as the March 9 trade deadline approaches.

NY Post - Jaromir Jagr on being here for the ninth time: "All I worry about is Rangers, even here at the All-Stars. I want to rest these two days and get ready for the next two or three Ranger games."

NY Times - The Brooks statue stands near the Xcel Energy Center, site of the National Hockey League's All-Star Game on Sunday. The man in bronze died last summer in an auto accident. One heck of a hockey winterfest is being held here in his hometown this weekend.

NY Times - "We proposed a link between revenues and player salaries," Bettman said. "It's been said we proposed a $31 million individual salary cap. It just isn't true. We did not propose a cap, and I defy anyone to show me a document that says we did."

Star-Ledger - Some youthful faces in the lineup -- Sather said yesterday he will likely recall prospects Fedor Tutin and Dominic Moore from Hartford after the All-Star break. Tutin has not played in the NHL yet and would have been called up already had a knee sprain not slowed him down.

The Jounal News - Rarely has the call for change — on and off the ice, from owners and players alike — been as loud in the NHL as it is now. A new collective bargaining agreement must be reached to avoid a labor stoppage prior to next season. Numerous rule changes will be considered to boost offense and make the game more marketable. Yet based on yesterday's acrimony regarding the labor talks, rule changes likely will be the only thing accomplished before the current CBA expires Sept. 15.

I will be attending some one year olds birthday party.....I have to go, it's the law. So perhaps 'Bug or Rocha will recap the All-Star game for you. I checked, there will be a TV available.....we'll see if I can get ABC on at 3pm.

Since the players insist they do not trust the NHL's numbers, I would like to see both sides agree to bring in a forensic accountant from the federal government to look at the books. But as I truly believe neither side really WANTS this issue resolved, although I am going to make this suggestion to both parties, I won't hold my breath.
They just want to continue sniping at each other like children.

Posted by: SueNJ97 on February 8, 2004 12:06 PM

Which federal government ? USA or Canada ?

I agree with you.....the foot stomping and breath holding is very childish.

What I find funny is the notion that the league needs to have a "cost certainty" system in place. I believe it's obvious that a high salarey team is not more likely to achieve success. The Rangers are an example of this. In addition, it is the individual teams who have issued these outrageous contracts....no one forced them to do it.

It pains me to say this but Lou in NJ has kept his operating costs under control while winning Cups....so it can be done.

----}- Bird

Posted by: Bird on February 8, 2004 12:26 PM

It can be either country...or both if they need one from each because they are dealing with two countries.

Unfortunately, the Devils appear to be a classic case of a team that HAS played by all the rules of the CBA, won, and still lost an obscene amount of money over the past few years, IF you believe the team.

Not only that, but for all the Players' Union saying that it can be done if you do it right, they do nothing but complain when GMs like Lou try to keep salaries down. And he does nothing but use the tools that the CBA gives him, yet he is crucified by the very same players who now say that's what all GMs should have been doing (Bill Guerin, anyone?). I'm so sick of all of them.

Posted by: suenj97 on February 8, 2004 02:04 PM