Isles&Yankees
08-12-2004, 07:18 AM
Bluelines: Has Mark Messier decided to call it a career?
Aug 10, 2004
Anyone wondering why no progress has been made in NHL labor negotiations can get the answer from the scoreboard. Within the last month, Gary Bettman has given the NHLPA SIX different proposals. Since last fall the Union has offered none. Asked after the last meeting if his Association has a new proposal to offer, Ted Saskin says, "Not at this point, no." There you have it; NHLPA strategists must figure the CBA deadline is January 15.
This is the time of year Mark Messier decides if it's time for another season on ice. Since The Captain has put his Manhattan duplex up for sale ($3.9 million on the Upper West Side) the decision may be made. On the other hand if Mess wants to play - anywhere - he might challenge Bob Goodenow to make a CBA deal so that seniors such as himself, Dave Andreychuk and Brett Hull can keep their careers alive.
The Mark Parrish re-signing suggests that the gritty one will make an ideal linemate for Alexei Yashin, who's been starved for a couple of complimentary skaters. Parrish will help but he's hardly the panacea. What Yashin needs is an accepting dressing room. That hasn't happened yet!
Reader Noam Kogen writes "I'd like to see the NHL return to home teams wearing light color uniforms." Good idea!
It's neat, every so often, to hear a player express sincere appreciation for his status. That's why we believe Jason Blake when he says, "I love it on Long Island!" His new three-year, $6 million Isles deal makes him like it even more.
Once upon a time Mike Milbury figured Bryan McCabe would be a better defenseman than Wade Redden. MM was right. McCabe stats: Leafs' best plus-minus player, first in multiple assist games (6), second in assists, second in points, second in average ice time and second in power play assists!
Brad Richards Maritimes family fishes for a living. So it was appropriate that the Smythe Trophy-winner slurped lobster bisque from the Cup's bowl.
Now THIS is significant. An NHL coach says, "I've talked with four of my players since the season ended and all admit that what the (NHLPA) is doing is not good for the game but none want to upset Bob Goodenow." Translated: the seeds for an anti-Goodenow revolt are down there somewhere.
Seriously, do you think Sergei (Couldn't Get the Bruins out Of the First Round) Gonchar rates a 51 percent arbitration raise to $5.5 million? That's why his owner Jeremy Jacobs wants Cost Certainty! And Phil Anschutz in L.A., et. al.
With Ryan McGill staying in Hartford, it's looking better for Nick Fotiu in terms of the Rangers' assistant coach opening.
Martin Brodeur is expanding his journalistic horizons. The Vezina Trophy-winner wrote a column for a French-language paper last season. Now he's writing for the Toronto Globe and Mail. His first piece is about improving The Game. "Enforce interference on players skating without the puck," Marty writes. "Pushing the net closer to the end boards is another idea worth doing." Smart, Brodeur doesn't mention a thing about puck handling goalies!
Ray Emery believes he - not Martin Prusek - should back up Dom Hasek. Problem for Emery is that Ottawa brass isn't sure Ray's head is properly secured! . Reader Denise Karl writes Gary Bettman, concerned about a work stoppage. The Commish graciously replies with this conclusion: "We cannot continue things as they are. We owe it to the game, and to all our fans, to make it right." And he's right!
Wonder why Robert Lang nixed a spot on the Czech World Cup team. Pete Sykora replaces Lang.
Adrian Aucoin's $4.24 mil arbitration win gets a surprisingly supportive postscript from Mike Milbury: "He deserves the raise.". It wouldn't surprise us a bit if MM dealt Mike Peca.
One of the best little players the Rangers ever had, Wally Hergesheimer, took his bride, Ruth, on an Alaskan cruise, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. There never was a better-loved Blueshirt!
Quote Of The Week I, from Jim Schoenfeld: "The biggest thing in this (hockey) profession is having a passion for what you do."
For those wondering why NHL g.m.s are signing players despite threat of a work stoppage, here's the answer from one exec: "We need players under contract and have to do business as usual. Otherwise, the NHLPA will say we're not bargaining in good faith."
Quote Of The Week II, from Brett Hull: "CBA talks are tough because both sides have buckled down. Hopefully, everyone will realize The Game itself is the most important issue." Yo, Brett, don't bet on it!'
Jason Allison's deep-seated admiration for Peter Laviolette's coaching should factor into JA's future.
Blue Ribbon Panel Report, which could give Devils a green light for the Newark Arena. The lights got brighter over the weekend when it was revealed that the Devils would guarantee Newark at least $2 million per year in revenue sharing as part of the pact.
Breaking down the CBA equation to its lowest common denominator, it comes to this: the NHLPA won't get serious until late Autumn, hoping that they'll be a break in ownership ranks. Gary Bettman's challenge will be keeping his troops unified. There have been published reports of ownership "wavering" but many insiders question whether they have been planted by Bob Goodenow.
At least half a dozen ex-NHLers claimed to have invented slap shot. Perhaps the most emphatic assertion comes from former Ranger Alex Shibicky (1935-46) the 90 year old, living in Vancouver, is still offering advice on how to take the big shot, "Your left foot has to face where you want the puck on net, then you touch the ice with your stick and zing! The rest is in the net." Two other ex-Blueshirts, Pat Began and Andy Bathgate, also are in the Slapshot mix, take your pick.
By far the most depressing aspect of Bettman-Goodenow talks is, as one insider tells us, "There's no middle ground."
Ex-NHL exec Stu Hackel will run public relations for the North American (Junior) Hockey League under Commissioner Mike Santos. That's a good hire!
Patrick Marleau topped all point-getters in the PlayStation2 Celebrity Home Run Challenge. Scott Hannan and Brad Stuart were PM's teammates. Together, they were crowned champs.
Don Cherry on the difference between U.S. and Canadian thinking: "In the U.S., when somebody is successful, he gets credit. In Canada, the motto is: 'Let's get him.' They obviously have an agenda."
This observation from St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz about Mike Danton's agent, David Frost: "Frost will continue to be certified and empowered as a player agent by the inept and irresponsible NHL Players' Association." By the way, Miklasz is not alone in his NHLPA views vis-à-vis Frost's continued certification. This story demands investigative reporting!
Aug 10, 2004
Anyone wondering why no progress has been made in NHL labor negotiations can get the answer from the scoreboard. Within the last month, Gary Bettman has given the NHLPA SIX different proposals. Since last fall the Union has offered none. Asked after the last meeting if his Association has a new proposal to offer, Ted Saskin says, "Not at this point, no." There you have it; NHLPA strategists must figure the CBA deadline is January 15.
This is the time of year Mark Messier decides if it's time for another season on ice. Since The Captain has put his Manhattan duplex up for sale ($3.9 million on the Upper West Side) the decision may be made. On the other hand if Mess wants to play - anywhere - he might challenge Bob Goodenow to make a CBA deal so that seniors such as himself, Dave Andreychuk and Brett Hull can keep their careers alive.
The Mark Parrish re-signing suggests that the gritty one will make an ideal linemate for Alexei Yashin, who's been starved for a couple of complimentary skaters. Parrish will help but he's hardly the panacea. What Yashin needs is an accepting dressing room. That hasn't happened yet!
Reader Noam Kogen writes "I'd like to see the NHL return to home teams wearing light color uniforms." Good idea!
It's neat, every so often, to hear a player express sincere appreciation for his status. That's why we believe Jason Blake when he says, "I love it on Long Island!" His new three-year, $6 million Isles deal makes him like it even more.
Once upon a time Mike Milbury figured Bryan McCabe would be a better defenseman than Wade Redden. MM was right. McCabe stats: Leafs' best plus-minus player, first in multiple assist games (6), second in assists, second in points, second in average ice time and second in power play assists!
Brad Richards Maritimes family fishes for a living. So it was appropriate that the Smythe Trophy-winner slurped lobster bisque from the Cup's bowl.
Now THIS is significant. An NHL coach says, "I've talked with four of my players since the season ended and all admit that what the (NHLPA) is doing is not good for the game but none want to upset Bob Goodenow." Translated: the seeds for an anti-Goodenow revolt are down there somewhere.
Seriously, do you think Sergei (Couldn't Get the Bruins out Of the First Round) Gonchar rates a 51 percent arbitration raise to $5.5 million? That's why his owner Jeremy Jacobs wants Cost Certainty! And Phil Anschutz in L.A., et. al.
With Ryan McGill staying in Hartford, it's looking better for Nick Fotiu in terms of the Rangers' assistant coach opening.
Martin Brodeur is expanding his journalistic horizons. The Vezina Trophy-winner wrote a column for a French-language paper last season. Now he's writing for the Toronto Globe and Mail. His first piece is about improving The Game. "Enforce interference on players skating without the puck," Marty writes. "Pushing the net closer to the end boards is another idea worth doing." Smart, Brodeur doesn't mention a thing about puck handling goalies!
Ray Emery believes he - not Martin Prusek - should back up Dom Hasek. Problem for Emery is that Ottawa brass isn't sure Ray's head is properly secured! . Reader Denise Karl writes Gary Bettman, concerned about a work stoppage. The Commish graciously replies with this conclusion: "We cannot continue things as they are. We owe it to the game, and to all our fans, to make it right." And he's right!
Wonder why Robert Lang nixed a spot on the Czech World Cup team. Pete Sykora replaces Lang.
Adrian Aucoin's $4.24 mil arbitration win gets a surprisingly supportive postscript from Mike Milbury: "He deserves the raise.". It wouldn't surprise us a bit if MM dealt Mike Peca.
One of the best little players the Rangers ever had, Wally Hergesheimer, took his bride, Ruth, on an Alaskan cruise, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. There never was a better-loved Blueshirt!
Quote Of The Week I, from Jim Schoenfeld: "The biggest thing in this (hockey) profession is having a passion for what you do."
For those wondering why NHL g.m.s are signing players despite threat of a work stoppage, here's the answer from one exec: "We need players under contract and have to do business as usual. Otherwise, the NHLPA will say we're not bargaining in good faith."
Quote Of The Week II, from Brett Hull: "CBA talks are tough because both sides have buckled down. Hopefully, everyone will realize The Game itself is the most important issue." Yo, Brett, don't bet on it!'
Jason Allison's deep-seated admiration for Peter Laviolette's coaching should factor into JA's future.
Blue Ribbon Panel Report, which could give Devils a green light for the Newark Arena. The lights got brighter over the weekend when it was revealed that the Devils would guarantee Newark at least $2 million per year in revenue sharing as part of the pact.
Breaking down the CBA equation to its lowest common denominator, it comes to this: the NHLPA won't get serious until late Autumn, hoping that they'll be a break in ownership ranks. Gary Bettman's challenge will be keeping his troops unified. There have been published reports of ownership "wavering" but many insiders question whether they have been planted by Bob Goodenow.
At least half a dozen ex-NHLers claimed to have invented slap shot. Perhaps the most emphatic assertion comes from former Ranger Alex Shibicky (1935-46) the 90 year old, living in Vancouver, is still offering advice on how to take the big shot, "Your left foot has to face where you want the puck on net, then you touch the ice with your stick and zing! The rest is in the net." Two other ex-Blueshirts, Pat Began and Andy Bathgate, also are in the Slapshot mix, take your pick.
By far the most depressing aspect of Bettman-Goodenow talks is, as one insider tells us, "There's no middle ground."
Ex-NHL exec Stu Hackel will run public relations for the North American (Junior) Hockey League under Commissioner Mike Santos. That's a good hire!
Patrick Marleau topped all point-getters in the PlayStation2 Celebrity Home Run Challenge. Scott Hannan and Brad Stuart were PM's teammates. Together, they were crowned champs.
Don Cherry on the difference between U.S. and Canadian thinking: "In the U.S., when somebody is successful, he gets credit. In Canada, the motto is: 'Let's get him.' They obviously have an agenda."
This observation from St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz about Mike Danton's agent, David Frost: "Frost will continue to be certified and empowered as a player agent by the inept and irresponsible NHL Players' Association." By the way, Miklasz is not alone in his NHLPA views vis-à-vis Frost's continued certification. This story demands investigative reporting!