2025-2026 NHL Offseason

81 wrote:

:corn:

I know. Hopefully this thing might get done soon and we might have January hockey

MayDay10 wrote:

lukin2006 wrote:

MayDay10 wrote:

I think the talent is plentiful for 30 teams.

The problem is that all the players are a bit too good and too efficient at what they do. Defensive systems have been perfected and stifle offensive play. The rules arent/cant be called like they should. Goalies are just too big and take up too much space.
I also think the phasing out of the truly spirited rivalries and fighting has hurt the entertainment value. I remember going to games and the first thing i would look at is the opposing teams' roster to see what fighters they have.

I also think the fact that the players are so wealthy now, there is less motivation over an 82 game schedule. You only really see intense action when there are playoffs, or olympic medals are on the line.

If I could take the all-star pre 1984 vs all-stars after 1984 I'm am so confident that the pre '84 would win handily.

my defence

Larry Robinson
Denis Potvin
Doug Harvey
Guy LaPointe
Serge Savard
Bobby Orr
Ray Bourque

R Wing

Guy Lafleur
Maurice "the original rocket" Richard
Gordie Howe
Mike Bossy
Yvon Cournoyer
Andy Bathgate

Center

Wayne Gretzky
Mark Messier
Jaques Lemaire
Jean Belliveau
Marcel Dionne
Bryan Trootier

L Wing

Steve Shutt
Bob Gainy
Bobby Hull
Ted Lindsay
Toe Blake
Frank Mahovlich

Goal

Ken Dryden
Terry Sawchuck
Jaques Plante

Only rule change ... pre 84 goalie equipment and back to wood sticks ... you can have all the other rule changes.

I like my team ...

maybe on stats and stature. But the fact is that present-day training, conditioning/fitness, nutrition, and the general science of movement-efficiency are exponentially better now than they were then. Overall, players are better now than in past eras IMO. Thats not necessarily good for entertainment though as we are seeing.

Comparing eras are tough though. In any sport. If you watch old games, a huge thing that stands out is goaltending. They are a lot more minute, and you see a lot players breaking down the wing, and letting a shot go from the top of the circle towards the boards and the puck goes in.... and it doesnt even have to be top corner. That just doesnt happen as often now.

Now goalies are huge and have perfected taking up as much space as possible. Teams also cram the front of the net. More and more you see intentionally-wide shots trying to get a carem for a scoring chance. Thats bad design.

First off goalies are not that much bigger ... Their equipment sure is. Secondly today's player are wearing body armor ... that's why they are so fearless at blocking shots. As far as being better shape shape, maybe, my team will be in shape though. I just dare someone post 84 to through a cheap shot on Richard... I believe I only took Canadian players I'm giving you the rest of world post '84 too choose from .

norm wrote:

december 26th??

https://twitter.com/MattBarnaby3636/sta ... 6700722176

MY BDAY BITCH

SHINE THAT CUP FOR US

Paul ‏@DaPeanutShackTSN

Expect the @NHL to announce whether season is on or done. Recent news out of meeting from a source says "not looking good"

I do not know who this guy is. The NHL setup a podium for a news conference, but nothing has happened nor does anyone know why.
Weird stuff

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nh ... vailed-cox

NHL lockout: Owners almost abandoned talks before cooler heads prevailed: Cox


FromDamien Cox’s Spin on Sportsblog:

-

NEW YORK—The conversation went something like this.

“Let’s leave,” said Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, turning to NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly.

“It’s up to you,” replied Daly.

At that point during the talks between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association on Wednesday, a day that began as a continuation of the momentum generated on Tuesday, both sides were at the precipice, and the 2012-13 season was in jeopardy. Earlier, Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller had angrily vented when the owners said they were disappointed with the players’ responses to an earlier offer and threatened to pull everything off the table.

But with Jacobs poised to abandon the talks, other owners spoke up, and then both sides dramatically backed away from the precipice. When talks ended close to 1 a.m. Thursday morning after more than eight hours of talks without NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and union executive director Don Fehr, it certainly seemed from the outside they were getting closer and closer to a deal to end this ugly lockout.

“We had a series of candid discussions,” said player rep Ron Hainsey, summing up the union’s position before announcing the two sides would continue talks later on Thursday afternoon.

Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said simply: “We are still talking.”

How close are they heading into a third day of bargaining? Well, according to a report by Sportsnet.ca writer Michael Grange, the league has raised the amount of “make whole” money it is will to throw in the pot to $300 million from $211 million, essentially meeting the players halfway as the two sides try to develop a formula that will transition both to a 50-50 split on revenue.

The six owners in the meeting agreed to accept the NHLPA’s position to keep rules on free agency and arbitration rights the same as they were in the old CBA. The league remained steadfast on a five-year contract limit with no more than a 5 per cent variance in any year, but did suggest a free agent re-signing with his old team could sign for as long as seven years.

Also, the owners want a 10-year collective bargaining agreement, according to the Sportsnet.ca report. The players want a much shorter term.

“There are critical open issues between the two parties,” said Daly after the meetings ended.

Sounds like this Jeremy Jacobs guy is a real asshole. Too bad he has to be one of the 6 owners in these negotiations.

polaris_x wrote:

i'm not sure why the players wouldn't want a longer deal ... the reality is whenever the next deal expires - they will have to give again so you might as well get the best deal this go around for as long as possible ...

I agree ... I still would not be surprised if talks break off.

TSN is speculating if they don't get a deal done with these talks then it might not look good for the season. Thursday is a big day ... Probably no face to face meetings till the afternoon. If they get a deal done in the next 7-10 days where looking at a 55-58 game season. Two real contentious issues are ... The owners are steadfast on 5 year length of contracts and 7 for your own free agents and the owners want a 10 year deal.

Ron Burkle is apparently the reason they are still negotiating.