The Ditch part deux

the most intriguing part of this forecast in my opinion is the Sens adding $15million to the payroll but expected to actually be worse. ouch.

 

I agree Matty......I think Ottawa will be improved and possible to make a Playoff run.

Detroit Forecast is bang on and Dan will be happy.....Look at Buffalo.

And Colorado is NO surprise.....I had them winning the "Cup" this year.

 

i like it. gonna be hard to leapfrog Florida, Buffalo, Toronto, Boston and Tampa though.

Colorado is loaded. The goalie is the one question i have.
Grubauer looks like he's more than capable, just havent seen it yer. Shit injury luck last year......think it started with him getting injured at the outdoor game they played in and then he eventually came back in the bubble only to get re-injured.

 

Ottawa and Montreal doing a whole lot of nothing with a whole lot of money.

 

these are amazing. theyre also fake evidently.
missed opportunity i think theyd sell a boatload of these beauts.

 

If it wasn't for the Seals I'd hate it but I love it because I know.

 

If it wasn't for the Seals I'd hate it but I love it because I know.


I hated their Skates.....very ugly green and yellow.

 

NHL season start remains targeted for Jan. 1, may take 'different form'
Deputy Commissioner says 82 games are planned, but coronavirus concerns exist

The NHL still aims to play a full 82-game schedule in 2020-21 that would begin around Jan. 1, but Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Friday that might not be possible due to continuing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.

Commissioner Gary Bettman and Daly briefed the NHL general managers on a variety of topics during a video conference Friday, but the main item on the agenda was the upcoming season and what it might look like.

"The goal is still to start as early as Jan. 1 and to play a full season," Daly said. "Having said that, we also recognize, depending on a host of different things, that it could take a different form and we might not be playing a full season, we might not be playing into the summer, we might not be starting on Jan. 1. So there's still a lot of uncertainty."

It was the first formal meeting for the general managers since March 2-4 in Boca Raton, Florida, though the NHL held regular video meetings regarding its Return to Play plans after the 2019-20 season was paused March 12.

Although a recent spike in COVID-19 cases across North America could affect this season, Commissioner Bettman and Daly stressed to the GMs the need to take the time necessary to make decisions about how and when the season will be played.

"We told them we're evaluating all possibilities and that we're gathering a lot of information and data points and we don't need to make any decisions right away, that we should wait and inform ourselves as best as possible and make the best decisions we can when we need to make them," Daly said. "There really wasn't anything spoken about specifically with respect to variations we're considering, but obviously they're multiple and probably somewhat numerous and depend on a whole host of things. So that was basically the message to the GMs."

The NHL will continue to monitor advances in the science surrounding the coronavirus and evolving governmental guidelines concerning travel restrictions within and between the United States and Canada, and regulations on public gatherings.

For example, Canada and the province of Alberta plan to launch a pilot program for rapid COVID-19 testing at Calgary International Airport on Nov. 2 that could lead to a reduction of the mandatory 14-day quarantine for those entering the country to about 48 hours.

"Obviously we're hopeful that they have some success in terms of piloting that program," Daly said. "It certainly could change the landscape as it relates to us and other professional sports."

Among the other items on the agenda was a reevaluation of the NHL Draft Lottery. The current format, which gives each of the 15 teams that do not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs a chance at one of the top three picks, was reviewed, and the GMs were asked to submit suggestions for changes.

"We heard on the call from a number of GMs saying they think it needs to be tweaked," Daly said. "It certainly wasn't a majority, it wasn't a large number, but we invited feedback and we're always receptive and responsive to what the clubs think is the right answer at the end of the day."

Additional topics included:

-- An update on discussions with the NHL Players' Association for the seven teams that did not participate in the 24-team Return to Play to have an extended training camp before the start of this season.

"There is kind of an agreement that the seven teams that did not participate in Return to Play should get some extra time in training camp," Daly said. "None of the details are nailed down, but we certainly talked through what we talked about with the Players' Association and what the open issues were."

-- A discussion about the possible reintroduction of the player interview period before the start of free agency. The interview period was dropped as part of the extension of the NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement that was ratified July 10.

-- A review of how developmental leagues in North America and professional leagues in Europe, some of which are already playing their seasons, are adjusting to the coronavirus and how their plans might evolve.

The American Hockey League plans to start its season Dec. 4 but has yet to announce a schedule. The ECHL is planning a split start with some teams beginning play Dec. 11 and the rest Jan. 15. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has started its season, but the Ontario Hockey League (tentative start date of Dec. 1) and the Western Hockey League (planned start of Jan. 8) have not.

-- An update on the Seattle Kraken, the NHL expansion team that remains on target to begin play in 2021-22.

"Everything is full speed ahead on Seattle expansion," Daly said.

NHL.com
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Thats the latest from the head honcho's... hope this works out and we do have a full season Jan 1.

 

Meeker, former Maple Leafs player, 'Hockey Night in Canada' analyst, dies
Forward won Calder Trophy for 1946-47, Stanley Cup four times



RIP... he was a great one.

 

Lundqvist' new pads...

 

NHL exploring temporary realignment, short-term hubs for 2020-21
Commissioner Bettman says League could play reduced schedule amid pandemic

The NHL is exploring short-term hubs, temporary realignment and a reduced schedule as options for the 2020-21 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday.

Commissioner Bettman said he would never ask players to return to a bubble for an entire season after the NHL finished the 2019-20 season and staged the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs in bubbles in Edmonton and Toronto from July 25-Sept. 28, requiring isolation, daily testing and strict protocols.

But he said the League is exploring teams playing in their own arenas (with or without fans depending on the local situation), in hubs or in a hybrid system.

Any plan would be a collaborative effort between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association, as was the 2020 Return to Play Plan. Though both sides are in constant and regular communication, there haven't been any regular meetings.

If teams play in hubs, they will rotate in and out.

"You'll play for 10 to 12 days," Commissioner Bettman said in a virtual panel discussion during the 2020 Paley International Council Summit. "You'll play a bunch of games without traveling. You'll go back, go home for a week, be with your family. We'll have our testing protocols and all the other things you need.

"It's not going to be quite as effective as a bubble, but we think we can, if we go this route, minimize the risks to the extent practical and sensible. And so that's one of the things that we're talking about."

Commissioner Bettman has said in the past the NHL is targeting a Jan. 1 start and how the season starts is not necessarily how it will finish, depending on how the situation evolves.

The NHL and NHLPA will have to consider many factors, including the closure to nonessential travel of the United States-Canada border.

"Obviously, we're not going to move all seven Canadian franchises south of the 49th Parallel, and so we have to look at alternative ways to play," Commissioner Bettman said. "And while crossing the U.S.-Canadian border is an issue, we're also seeing within the United States limitations in terms of quarantining when you go from certain states to other states. It's again part of having to be flexible. …

"As it relates to the travel issue, which is obviously the great unknown, we may have to temporarily realign to deal with geography, and that may make sense, because having some of our teams travel from Florida to California may not make sense.

"It may be that we're better off, particularly if we're playing a reduced schedule, which we're contemplating, keeping it geographically centric, more divisional based, and realigning, again on a temporary basis, to deal with the travel issues."

Commissioner Bettman said when the NHL returned after pausing the season March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, it had to transform itself into a studio sport, tailoring the game presentation to a TV audience.

"What we were doing was trying to create an energy and excitement and coverage of our game that would be compelling in the absence of fans," he said.

TV ratings were down, as they were across sports. Commissioner Bettman pointed to two factors:

One, fans in the stands give games energy that comes through on television, and some of that was missed.

Two, research showed that that while avid fans would watch the NHL at any time, casual fans were less inclined to watch in the summer.

"And so that's where I think a lot of the falloff came," Commissioner Bettman said. "And while we're in the middle of working on our return to play as well, which I hope to have put to bed soon, our goal is to get back to a normal schedule starting [next] fall and being done before July on a longer-term basis. That is the goal."

Safety is the priority, though, and the NHL can help set an example.

Commissioner Bettman appeared on the panel with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

Manfred said during its return to play MLB was focused on how, as an everyday sport, baseball would play through a positive COVID-19 test. When it had a flare-up, he spoke over the phone with Commissioner Bettman.

"I was talking to Gary from my den at home, and I remember us kind of reaching the conclusion, maybe it's not about playing through it," Manfred said. "Maybe what you've really got to worry about is making sure it doesn't spread.

"That conversation led to us changing our approach a little bit. We had shutdowns and just accepted the fact that we were going to have to reschedule to get through. But those are the kind of conversations that I think make a real difference."

NHL.com

 

Stars unveil all white ‘Reverse Retro’ uniforms



No thanks.

 

The black Stars sweater outlined in neon green are nice since they look like Dallas at night.

I liked the extreme simplicity of the Wings all-white reverse retro. I LOVED the Sabres white 50th anniversary sweater last year.

These unis are just bland. No thanks, indeed.

 

the elusive white pants

 

Whats up boys? Long time no talk. Hope everyone is safe and well. Are these uni's based from Strange Brew??

 

Whats happening, stranger? Nice to see you.

 

Hahahaa, well played.

 

WOW pgh.........Holy Smokers last time I heard from you Christ was a Cowboy.

Hope All is well.

 

NHL, NHLPA working toward Jan. 13 start; CBA will not be changed

Are you ready for the 2020-21 NHL season to start next month?

That is a very good possibility after the league walked back its request of the players to increase deferred payments and caps on escrow during certain points of the Collective Bargaining Agreement extension that was ratified by both sides in July.

From Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman:

According to multiple sources, [the players] were willing to defer additional monies — in exchange for what they considered a meaningful concession. One of the suggestions, for example, was slightly raising the salary cap to put more money in the system. (Yes, that could increase how much players will eventually owe to balance the 50/50 split, but with escrow caps, it is not a great concern to the current group.)

No deal could be reached, and both sides decided to move on.

The financial hurdle was a large one for both sides in order to work out a format for the 2020-21 season. The league and players are targeting a Jan. 13 opening night with training camps opening Dec. 28 for the seven non-playoff teams — Buffalo, New Jersey, Detroit, Los Angeles, Ottawa, San Jose, Anaheim — and the rest on Jan. 1. The timing would likely mean no exhibition games and a schedule of around 56 games.

Where would games be held?
The players do not want another bubble situation, which is why early plans are for teams to play in their home arenas. But with COVID-19 rates differing in each market, and the U.S./Canada border situation, there will need to be some creativity in realigning the league for one year as well as the NHL season schedule.

From ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski:

The primary objective remains to have all 31 teams playing in their home arenas, with baseball-style “homestands” of three games between teams. That’s the preference of the majority of owners. That’s the preference of the players. That’s the plan that has gotten the most attention in NHL circles.

If COVID-19 rates prevent teams from playing in their own markets, like the Sharks due to what’s happening in Santa Clara County, there’s a possibility of sharing rinks. The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, for example, are playing the remainder of their home schedule in Arizona. But a lot could happen between now and Jan. 13.

[Report: Teams look into outdoor games for 2020-21 NHL season]
While not the preference, “hubs” or “hybrid bubbles” could be an option. Per ESPN, the “hub” idea would see teams playing 10 games or so in a specific city over a two-week span. They would then exit the “hub” for a week to return home before coming back for more games. “Hybrid bubbles” would be looser versions of what we saw during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs in Toronto and Edmonton. A centralized location would house each division with access being restricted.

So, we have progress, and a reason to believe they’ll be dropping the puck in just over a month. A deal would need to be hammered out this week so players could return to their home markets and quarantine depending local government regulations. Once there’s an agreement, the Board of Governors and union would need to approve.

NHL

 

Great news there. Hoping they can get it going and not have money be the reason they dont.