NHL Opening Night That Wasn't

I'm sure you've by now you've figured out that Thursday October 11th was supposed to be opening night in the NHL, sadly October 11 has come and gone without any NHL hockey. By now we all now the reasoning behind missing opening night so I'm not going to elaborate on it; simple as millionaires vs. billionaires.

What was supposed to be a magical night for hockey fans, turned into any other ordinary Thursday evening. There were no sweaters donned, no huddles around the TV, no pre-game rituals for fans or players, no line ups at the arena, no fans in the stands and most importantly no players taking to the ice. On the sports networks one could find playoff baseball and Thursday night football, not a single mention of the NHL. CTV has even come out with Big Bang Marathon to help fill the "hockey void." (yes those are their exact marketing words)

It's a sad time. On the day the puck was supposed to drop on the 2012-2013 NHL season the arenas sat dark and empty. For Canadians there was no Don Cherry or double header on CBC. One thing a lot of people forget is the fact the NHL players actually agreed to and wanted to play through the CBA negotiations. The lockout came directly from the league itself, the players were willing to play and negotiate so us the fans could have hockey. But instead NHL commissioner Gary Bettman decided that playing hockey and negotiating a new CBA couldn't happen. Instead the two sides should meet a few times a month to discuss "non-important" economical things.

I must admit there's a weird feeling here in Canada. While fans are upset few are expressing their feelings. My school which is filled with hockey fans and players aren't talking about hockey. Even when walking around at coffee shops and grocery stores there is little to no hockey talk. Even though there is still junior hockey and the AHL season is about to kickoff tonight, there is almost no talk about hockey between people. It's almost as if the game we love has become an after thought. Canadians have realized they can survive without the NHL. 

Unlike 2004-2005 fans seem to have realized that despite their not being any NHL hockey life will still go on, a noble discovery. For example, tonight the Buffalo Sabres are unveiling their historic "French Connection" statue to commemorate the franchise most history line. There's not a lot of excitement on twitter between Sabres fans right now, heck I even forgot it was happening until I received an email about it Monday.

Please Bettman, reinstate the NHL and give Canadians a piece of their culture back. I miss talking and debating hockey with people at Tim Hortons!

Agenda During Latest CBA Talks

The good news right now for fans is the fact both the NHL and NHLPA are at least meeting and talking to each other. In 2004-2005 the two sides went for 3 months without speaking, the longest this time around has been roughly 2 weeks. The unfortunate news is the talks as of late have been focused on the "secondary issues" as neither side is willing to back down from their current proposal.

So what exactly is going on behind closed doors during these meetings? Thankfully my sources were able to pass on some important information from the last few meetings. Here's the just of how things went Monday when Bettman and Fehr got together with their posies.

9:00 a.m.- Let's be real they're not meeting as early as 9.

9:30 a.m.- Donald Fehr and 7 NHL players who have yet to leave for Europe arrive to the meeting a little early to discuss their strategy for today's meeting. Fehr opens with "Let me get this straight, if he's not willing to end the lockout and give the players more money by the end of today you'll be in Europe by tonight?" The Players respond will a resounding "Yes!" "Good what's Bettman going to do with no players?"

10:00 a.m.- Bill Daly shows up alone with a smug look on his face and a cup of coffee.


DF- "Where's Gary?!"
BD- "He's coming, had a rough sleep last night"
TP- "Is he finally feeling guilty about this whole lockout situation?"
BD- "No he couldn't figure out if he wants to cancel another 2 weeks or up it to 3 weeks." Followed by evil laughter.

10:30 a.m.- Gary Bettman finally arrives followed by 3 NHL owners with black eyes.


DF- "You're late Gary!"
GB- " Oh am I? I must have lost track of time. I was just discussing how the owners and I are unanimous about this lockout, isn't that right gentlemen?"
O- "Yes, we all agree."
DF- "Have you brought the files regarding how much revenue the league earned last season?"
GB- "You were serious about wanting to see that?"
DF- "GARY!"
GB- "I kid, I kid. I know I keep telling the public and the TV stations we made tons of money, but we actually lost money. Unless the players are willing to take a significant cut we refuse to continue CBA talks."
Sidney Crosby- "That's it Gary I've had enough of your crap, I'm heading to Europe. I hear the KHL is looking for superstars"
GB- "But Sid you can't go, you're my main money maker! Alright Fehr, have your side prepare a new proposal and submit it to the owners"
DF- "Sure thing, we'll have it to you in 2 weeks"
SC- "Make sure you include the clause that no one is aloud to hit me!"

11:30 a.m. After Bettman reiterates the fact the owners refuse to backdown from their current proposal and the NHLPA may submit another proposal as long as it is reasonable to what the NHL has submitted.

GB- "Well that's enough talking for the morning, why don't we break for an early lunch?"
DF- "But we haven't negotiated anything. We have a season to salvage Gary!"
GB- "Oh there's lots of time for negotiating. Besides no one really tunes into the NHL till late December anyways."
DF- "But Gary what about Canadian hockey...
GB- "Canadian hockey fans?"
BD- "Time to break for lunch"

Bettman jumps up from his seat and heads towards the door followed by the 3 owners and Daly, the quickly vanish out of the building. The players and Fehr remain in the boardroom as the players begin to call their agents to look for teams overseas.

DF- "So are you guys finally ready to accept a smaller piece of the pie?" "Or how about accepting the leagues last offer, it seemed pretty fair"
Dustin Byfuglien- "Did someone say pie?!"
TP- "Go away Byf. Remember Don, you work for us. Whatever we want you said you would be committed to getting. We want a bigger share of the pie and longer contracts.
DF- "Fine, fine I'll make up a new proposal. But this isn't going to get us back playing anytime soon."
TP- "There's the KHL and other markets in Europe, we're not worried."

1:00 p.m. Gary and Bill both return from lunch without the any owners.

DF- " Where's the owners Gary?"
GB- "The owners only need to be present if we're "negotiating" a new CBA. Since the players refuse to accept our offer we're not negotiating today. Now on to the topic for today: Player safety, NHL rules and players commitment to pre-season.
TP- "Wait what do you mean we're not negotiating today? We could sign deals in Europe tonight, how are you going to play without us?"
GB- "Oh I'm glad you brought that up. If the players refuse to come to terms with the fact we the owners will win these negotiations and are still holding out by the end of November, the NHL is fully committed to moving forward with replacement players."
TP- " You're going to attempt to replace us? With who?"
GB- "I don't have to attempt to replace you, I will. There are several AHL players who would love their shot to play in the NHL, and how about all the European players jobs you guys are taking? I'm sure they need a place to play.
TP- "Good luck getting the fans out!"
GB- "The fans are dumb enough to come out and support the AHL players as long as they're wearing NHL jersey's"

2:00 p.m. Gary swiftly changes the talks play safety

GB- "With the rise of concussions, we need to address player safety. Let's bring in Brendan Shanahan"
BS- "The game is so fast it's getting harder and harder to tell if a hit was clean or not"
GB- " If it's a big time player or a rich team's player, it's a clean hit. If it's someone no one has heard of before it's dirty"
SC- " Anyone who hit's me should get an automatic 20 games!"
GB- "Calm down Sid, just send Matt Cooke after them."
GB- "Any thoughts Don?"
DF- "Make the equipment smaller?"
GB- "Naw that won't fix anything, guess there really isn't an answer to this problem"

3:00 p.m. The two sides talk about more secondary issues like medical care, drug testing and player grievances.

GB- "Well that should do it for today's meeting, any last thoughts Don?"

The players quickly surround Fehr and discuss things in a little huddle. After 10 minutes they break the huddle.

TP- "Tell him Don!"
DF- "I suggest we get rid of the Salary cap..."
GB- " Hahahahahahahahahaha. Wait you were serious? You do realize we sacrificed the whole 2004-2005 season in order to get a salary cap right?"

4:30- Bettman decides the meetings for the day are complete and leaves the room with Bill.

There you have it folks, an inside look at the NHL CBA talks. Will we see an end to this madness soon?

 

Hockey's Future Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon

It may be a little early but since there is no NHL hockey (yes I'm looking at you Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr) it's time to start looking at up coming prospects. More specifically players who have yet to be drafted (age) but are expected to be in the top 5 in their respective drafts. Both Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are touted young hockey players who are well on their way to great careers. Might as well learn their names now, you'll be hearing a lot about both in the future.

What makes both these young players so unique, is the similarities between their junior careers and two former first overall draft picks; John Tavares and Sidney Crosby.

Connor McDavid- Erie Otters (OHL)

What's so special about McDavid? The fact that he is only the third player to be granted "exceptional status" by hockey Canada allowing him to play in the OHL at the age of 15. The Otters took him first overall in the OHL draft in April and are excited to see how his rookie season will unfold. It will be a bit of an adjustment for the 15 year-old who will now face opponents as much as 5 years older than him. It was a "no brainer" for hockey Canada to allow McDavid an early pass into the OHL after he racked up 72 points in just 33 games playing for the Toronto Marlboros in the GTHL and being named the GTHL player of the year, all while being a year younger than his teammates.

McDavid is a speedy 5 foot 11 centre who has amazing creativity with the puck and is fully committed to playing in both ends. 9 games into his rookie season he's racked up 9 points in just 7 games (4 goals and 5 assists) and is leading his team in points. Not bad for the 15 year-old phenom. The most remarkable thing is McDavid won't be draft eligible until 2015 a full 3 seasons away, which will give him enough time to make a name for himself with team Canada playing in the world juniors.

It will be interesting to watch McDavid grow and develop in the OHL the next 4 years. There's a lot of pressure riding on the 15 year-old it will interesting to see how he handles it all, especially being in Pennsylvania away from his family and friends in Toronto.

Nathan MacKinnon- Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

From a prospect who won't be draft eligible until 2015 to a player who has a strong possibility of going first overall in 2013, Nathan MacKinnon. By now most hockey fans have heard of MacKinnon, or at least his eerily similar path as Sidney Crosby. Both hail from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, both are elite centremen, both attended Shattuck-Saint Mary's hockey prep school, both were drafted 1st overall in the QMJHL and perhaps the strangest similarity of them all; The season before Crosby was drafted was lost because of an NHL lockout.

Much like Crosby if the NHL does indeed suffer a full season lockout, every NHL team will have shot at drafting MacKinnon. In his first season with the MooseHeads he racked up an outstanding 78 points in just 58 games and is off to a solid start again this season with 13 points in 7 games. Mackinnon's goal for this season is simple, win the Memorial Cup;

"We want to win the Memorial Cup next year, that's our goal!" ~ Nathan MacKinnon

MacKinnon has the ability to put an entire team on his back and skate them to victory. Even after getting cut from the U-18 junior team last season, he answered back on the ice with a 5 goal performance against the QMJHL's top team. MacKinnon will be on top of every teams wish list and is one of the tops prospects for next years draft. Even if there is no hockey this season, next years draft will be something to look forward too. Will the kid from Cole Harbour get drafted first overall like another Cole Harbour native?

Although the present seems bleak the future looks bright for the NHL and their prospects. The next wave of superstars is almost ready to make it's mark and it will likely be lead by the next, next one Nathan MacKinnon. Make sure you check out these two while they are still with their junior teams and watch them shine.

NHL Replacement Players

 

As we've learned from players Gary Bettman has a very strange and unordinary way of negotiating. Instead of actually negotiating he believes in threatening and imposing a lockout. Some players even went as far to say "It was like he was happy to cancel the first two weeks." Bettman's next threat to the NHLPA is the possibility of using "replacement players." Yes you read that correctly, just like the NFL used replacement officials, Bettman wants and is willing to do the same with players. An interesting concept; The NHL without NHL players...

After Bettman proved he was serious about cancelling games by knocking off the first 2 weeks of the season, totalling 82 games enough games for an entire regular season for a single team, on Thursday. It's time to start taking his threat of replacement players a little more seriously because he's crazy enough to try it. Bringing in the replacement players or "scabs" was a threat the league used back in 2004 but nothing serious came from it. This time around that possibility is back on the table and could gain some serious discussion if the NHL and NHLPA have still not completed a deal by mid November.

Toronto Maple Leafs former assistant GM Bill Watters is spreading word about the possibility of the league using scabs and how easy it would be;

"There are enough free agents around and players under contract in junior, on reserve lists and in the AHL to ice a team in every city. It is conceivable" ~ Bill Watters

Bettman's hope is that some players would cross the picket line and come back to play with the replacement players. This would mainly be free agents and or players who are in the last year of their contracts. Other players included in the replacement section are AHL players with NHL contracts and prospects from Europe who have ties to an NHL team. Virtually the scabs would be glorified AHL players and any players that aren't represented by the NHLPA.

Of course the league and Bettman would be betting or believing that the fans are so starved for hockey they'd pay money to come and see the scabs. I'm not going to lie I might be interested in seeing some of the players and the talent level for a couple of weeks, but after that I'm out. So the question remains would fans actually support the scabs? As of right I'd have to say no. The players are seen as the good guys in the eyes of the majority of fans, they were willing to play and still negotiate and are seen as victims of the money starved NHL owners. So why would the fans turn on the player if they don't believe they've done anything wrong?

Hockey fans are a different breed of sports fans. Sure we have our favourite players who we'll support till the day they hang up the skates, but we really fall in love with a team because of that team. Most Toronto Maple Leaf fans have stayed loyal although the team hasn't accomplished anything significant in years. Why do they still support the team? Because it's the Leafs, they have such a rich history and heritage that the fans just want to support the team. We cheer for the logo on the front of the jersey over the name on the back of the jersey. Which is why Bettman may give the scabs a try, because he thinks fans would be willing to pay to see their beloved teams back on the ice, no matter whose wearing the jersey.

Hoping that the scabs would help draw some of the players across the picket line and then in turn force the NHLPA to cave is a lofty wish for the league and highly unlikely to work. What do you think, would you pay to see scabs playing for your favourite team? Would you enjoy seeing scabs? Will the NHL actually go through with the threat of scabs?

6 Players to Watch In the OHL

 

There may not be any NHL hockey but that doesn't mean there isn't hockey to cover. Since I'll be focusing more on junior hockey it's time to take a brief look at the OHL and some of the players to keep an eye out for. Some of these players may even be drafted by your favourite team in the next draft.

A big thanks to Margann who helped provide me information on who to watch in the OHL.

6. Trevor Petersen- Niagara IceDogs

[caption id="attachment_649" align="alignright" width="294"] Petersen fights off a check[/caption]

You may remember an interview I did with Trevor a few months back at the time of the interview he was just finishing up a fantastic first year with the IceDogs. Entering his second season in the OHL he is poised and ready for a huge year. He will be called on to be one of the  leaders on the team to put into practice what he learned from some of the veterans last season and put up big points. This is Petersen's draft year so he'll be looking to have a big season and hopefully lead the IceDogs back to the playoffs.

5. Tyler Biggs- Oshawa Generals

After being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2011 draft out of the US development program, Biggs will be entering his first full season in the OHL with the Oshawa generals and is poised for a big year. As a Leafs prospect he will be in the public eye and under a bit more scrutiny over his play. At 6 foot 3 and 224 pounds, Biggs is not afraid to mix things up and plays a very truculent style. Watching him play shows little wonder why Brian Burke drafted him, he's the Burke prototype and will put an end to the Leafs woes of small forwards.

4. Samuel Bennett- Kingston

Despite being a 16 year old rookie in the OHL, bennett has put in his time and after a full summer of working with Gary Roberts is ready for a big year in Kingston. The two-way forward is hoping to be more of a role player in his first year pro but is still determined to put up some major points.

3. Andrew Fritsch- sue st Marie greyhounds

Despite playing in just 33 games last season due to a wrist injury, Fritsch is healthy and ready to prove to everyone he can still be a key aspect to any team. After putting up 8 goals and 10 assists in the final 19 games of last season everyone is waiting to see what he can do when healthy and in top notch shape. Fritsch is determined to set new career highs in both goals and points to get attention from the Phoenix coyotes and garner himself a contract with the team who drafted him in the sixth round in 2011.

2. Max Domi- London Knights

The son of former Toronto Maple Leaf Tie Domi, Max has a habit of making a splash just like his father. Despite him and his father demanding a trade to the Knights, Domi is able to put is talent where his mouth is, as he was one of the top '95s in the OHL last season. The majority of his offensive chances are generated from his quick speed as he is easily one of the fastest players in the OHL. His speed and agility open up ice for him and his teammates.  This year Domi has the chance to be a first line centre on the Knights and has the potential to have a fantastic season.

1. Sean Monahan- Ottawa 67's

Monahan is a player who could easily go in the top 5 of the 2013 draft and is arguably one of the best '94s in playing in the OHL. In his first 5 games of the 2011-2012 season he notched 5 multipoint games including 2 games in which he recorded 3 points. The best/most unique part of Monahan's game is his rare ability to elevate the game of not only himself but also his teammates. Last season Monahan really turned heads after he racked up 78 points in just 62 games with the 67's. Topping last years points will be no easy task but he's off to a solid start with 7 points in just the first 4 games of the season.

There you have folks, the OHL is loaded with talent. Tons of young kids busting their butts to earn pro contracts who would love to see you out at some of their games. It's time junior hockey started to get the attention it deserved, so if you're missing the NHL make sure you check out one of the junior league (OHL, CHL, AHL QMJHL) as I will be following each of these leagues and players closely.

If you have any questions about any one of these players feel free to tweet myself or Margann.

The Mysterious Case of Nazem Kadri

 

AHL training camps opened up last week and put an end to some of the misery around the lockout. Unfortunately for Toronto Maple Leaf fans the Toronto Marlies camp didn't exactly start off on a good note, when first round draft pick from 2009 Nazem Kadri showed up to camp slightly overweight and with low fitness.

“His body fat today is probably in the bottom three to five guys in our whole camp. That’s unacceptable." "That’s the easiest part coming into camp is eating correctly and training correctly" ~ Marlies Head Coach Dallas Eakins

Kadri's explanation to his low fitness:

"I’m still a young guy."

Newsflash Kadri, you'll be 22 by the end of the week that young guy excuse is getting pretty old.

The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Kadri 7th overall in the 2009 draft. It was a bit of a controversial pick as he wasn't even ranked inside the 10 and there was a rumour that the Senators GM had baited the Leafs into drafting Kadri. Leafs fans were puzzled by the pick and immediately Kadri was dubbed as a super star  and a player that could save the franchise. It was expected he make the jump to the NHL after a single season in the AHL.

It's now 2012 and Kadri has still failed to make and stick with the Toronto Maple Leafs for an entire NHL season. The other problem with his development is if he is such a prized prospect he should be lighting it up in the AHL, but he's not. Last season he finished outside the top 100 scorers in the AHL not exactly what you expect from a first round draft pick 3 years ago.

Here's the really scary thing, this is now Kadri's third year as a "pro" and he still doesn't understand how to properly prepare his body and what foods to eat, will he ever get it? This year would have been his 4th training camp with the Leafs and judging by how poorly he showed at Marlies training camp he likely would have been sent packing. He's been told what to do, "get stronger so you're not as easy to push off the puck and get a little faster." It's been the same story for the last 4 years, yet he has failed to do it.

What puzzles fans and media is that Kadri reportedly worked out with fitness nut Gary Roberts this summer, yet still was not in the best shape he could have been. Did Kadri not dedicate himself to follow Roberts program? I mean Stamkos immediately saw improvement after working with him.

Kadri's major problem is his attitude. He's never had the right attitude since the day he got cut from his first Leafs training camp and "didn't understand". He's full of self-entitlement something very popular in this generation. Now I know it's easy to mistake confidence for self-entitlement but this kid unfortunately has the later. Just listen to him talk and do interviews, it's always about how great he is or how much he's improved if it's not that it's him telling the media they have the wrong idea. He needs to take the criticism and make an effort to turn himself into an elite hockey player that can make that next step to the NHL. The reason he hasn't cracked the Leafs roster is because he doesn't really believe he needs to make the changes they want him too in order to play, if he did those changes would have been made immediately when he was asked.

While many fans were upset with the way the Leafs organization has handled their top prospect by constantly calling him out and critiquing him, the truth is they have every right to do so. They're fed up with him not doing what he's been asked. I reiterate my point about he should be one of the top scorers in the AHL but he's not!

Time is quickly running out for the former first round pick. He's getting a bad reputation and is losing trade value. Many have pegged him as a career "minor leaguer". If he doesn't get his act together now he may go down as one of the biggest busts in Leafs history.

Kadri's reaction to all this?

@sportsgurl87 settle down little girl i got this

— Nazem Kadri (@43_Kadri) September 28, 2012

 

What are your thoughts about Nazem Kadri; Have the Leafs been too harsh on him, does he have what it takes to make the NHL?