Chicago Blackhawks 2012 Offseason Thread

[Prizefight]

Deciding to take a two week break from negotiations because that makes sense. Legitimately reconsidering if I'll ever give my money to the NHL again. Unbelievable.

[kujay]

Deciding to take a two week break from negotiations because that makes sense. Legitimately reconsidering if I'll ever give my money to the NHL again. Unbelievable.

 

That was just a ploy to try to get the players to revolt on the Fehrs, since that would cost them at least another paycheck. It's going to work too. The union will break again. They just have more to lose. Just wish they would realize it now.

 

As for going back, I know I will.

[jersey cubs fan]

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc

#Blackhawks' Steve Montador said NHLPA is "considering a proposal but nothing is definite." http://trib.in/Wil7sI

 

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc

#Blackhawks' Montador: "Time is ticking more now than ever but we're not at a point where the season would be cancelled--in my opinion."

 

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc

#Blackhawks' Steve Montador on CBA negotiations: "For now, it's a continued reserved optimism."

[biittner77]

Non binding arbitration. It's too bad the arbitor isn't allowed to say publicly how the owners haven't given the players anything in this "negotiation"

[kujay]

Non binding arbitration. It's too bad the arbitor isn't allowed to say publicly how the owners haven't given the players anything in this "negotiation"

 

A good mediator will be saying those types of things privately to both sides. But yeah there's no benefit to doing it publicly.

[biittner77]

Non binding arbitration. It's too bad the arbitor isn't allowed to say publicly how the owners haven't given the players anything in this "negotiation"

 

A good mediator will be saying those types of things privately to both sides. But yeah there's no benefit to doing it publicly.

 

Or, as it turns out, privately.

[kujay]

Non binding arbitration. It's too bad the arbitor isn't allowed to say publicly how the owners haven't given the players anything in this "negotiation"

 

A good mediator will be saying those types of things privately to both sides. But yeah there's no benefit to doing it publicly.

 

Or, as it turns out, privately.

 

Apparently. The owners want to crush the players again and are taking the cynical, but probably accurate, view that they can afford to lose the season. [expletive] some of them barely make any money or lose money anyway.

 

Make no mistake, at this point it is crystal clear it is the owners holding this thing up. Nearly all the movement has come from the players.

 

Problem is they hired Fehr to strengthen the union and avoid a repeat of 2004. But it's out of his hands.

[UMFan83]

Well I'm glad the Hawks got to hoist the cup before it was rendered meaningless by this farce of a league.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

@jprutherford: Steve Burton of @wbzsports in Boston is reporting that a deal to end the lockout could be announced soon. Burton is very tuned into Bruins.

[UMFan83]

Lets hope so. 50 games is better than 0. Plus with the lack of depth on the Hawks, Q can ride his core hard without having to worry about them being completely gassed in the playoffs.

[kujay]

Yeah sensed there were whispers of something on Twitter. But skeptical until some other reputable people get on board with this.

[kujay]

@Panger40: @jprutherford @wbzsports And I am about to grow hair again. Is that cynical? #Holyjumpin

 

Pretty much. What, did this guy see Bettman at the airport?

[kujay]

I don't want to say that Boston reporter was right because clearly it was just speculation, but with a long day of meeting today they've pulled me in to being very optimistic that something will get done in the next two days. If so they can start on December 15 as currently scheduled. That would have the Hawks opening here in St. Louis.

[UMFan83]

I don't want to say that Boston reporter was right because clearly it was just speculation, but with a long day of meeting today they've pulled me in to being very optimistic that something will get done in the next two days. If so they can start on December 15 as currently scheduled. That would have the Hawks opening here in St. Louis.

 

They couldn't possibly start the season in 10 days could they? If they did there's going to be at least 2 months of terrible hockey and injuries galore as the players play themselves into shape.

[kujay]

I don't want to say that Boston reporter was right because clearly it was just speculation, but with a long day of meeting today they've pulled me in to being very optimistic that something will get done in the next two days. If so they can start on December 15 as currently scheduled. That would have the Hawks opening here in St. Louis.

 

They couldn't possibly start the season in 10 days could they? If they did there's going to be at least 2 months of terrible hockey and injuries galore as the players play themselves into shape.

 

Yeah that was the talk before that it would take about 10 days to get things cranked up. Seems crazy. I think the NBA had about 16-17 days last year. But that's what they've been saying. And at this point games are only cancelled through December 14.

 

And sure there are probably some guys who are out of shape and susceptible to injury, but there are a couple hundred or so guys playing overseas and many more in the AHL. And there are a lot of informal workouts being held by the players. So I think that concern is probably overblown.

 

I'm seriously bummed out without the pucks. My optimism is therefore probably over the top here, I admit.

[kujay]

@SunGarrioch: Doug MacLean suggests if they can get a deal by Friday a 56-game season starting on Dec. 20th. #NHL

[Guest]

what's up with hossa? i haven't heard anything about him in a while. if there ends up being a season, is he ready to go?

[kujay]

what's up with hossa? i haven't heard anything about him in a while. if there ends up being a season, is he ready to go?

 

I recall hearing he was skating and working out a few months ago but haven't heard anything since. I would imagine if he was cleared to skate it wouldn't be too much longer before he was cleared to play assuming no setbacks. But who knows.

[UMFan83]

I don't want to say that Boston reporter was right because clearly it was just speculation, but with a long day of meeting today they've pulled me in to being very optimistic that something will get done in the next two days. If so they can start on December 15 as currently scheduled. That would have the Hawks opening here in St. Louis.

 

They couldn't possibly start the season in 10 days could they? If they did there's going to be at least 2 months of terrible hockey and injuries galore as the players play themselves into shape.

 

Yeah that was the talk before that it would take about 10 days to get things cranked up. Seems crazy. I think the NBA had about 16-17 days last year. But that's what they've been saying. And at this point games are only cancelled through December 14.

 

And sure there are probably some guys who are out of shape and susceptible to injury, but there are a couple hundred or so guys playing overseas and many more in the AHL. And there are a lot of informal workouts being held by the players. So I think that concern is probably overblown.

 

I'm seriously bummed out without the pucks. My optimism is therefore probably over the top here, I admit.

 

Actually the NBA had a full month. The agreement was reached the Friday after thanksgiving, the lockout was officially lifted the next Monday or Tuesday and the season started on Christmas. That said, the NBA still had to have a short FA signing period but I think camp started later that same week.

[kujay]

Actually the NBA had a full month. The agreement was reached the Friday after thanksgiving, the lockout was officially lifted the next Monday or Tuesday and the season started on Christmas. That said, the NBA still had to have a short FA signing period but I think camp started later that same week.

 

Interesting. The morning yappers on NHL Radio this morning made casual reference to the idea that they could get a deal done this week and then start right after the new year. But who knows. I have to imagine everyone wants to play as many games as possible, so they'll be aggressive if they can get a deal done.

[Prizefight]

I will not get my hopes up I will not get my hopes up I will not get my hopes up I will not get my hopes up I will not get my hopes up I will not get my hopes up I will not get my hopes up I will not get my hopes up I will not get my hopes up I will not get my hopes up

[kujay]

Yeah I should know better but I'm geeked up after reading stuff like this:

 

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2012/12/05/bettman-wants-a-deal-by-friday-nhl-insider-nick-kypreos-says/

[Guest]

yay, there's going to be a season!

 

oh no, the blackhawks forgot to add good players!

[Flames24Rulz]

yay, there's going to be a season!

 

oh no, the blackhawks forgot to add good players!

 

That's the mode I'm in too. Can't wait to complain about how many soft goals Crawford's going to allow this year!

[kujay]

yay, there's going to be a season!

 

oh no, the blackhawks forgot to add good players!

 

That's the mode I'm in too. Can't wait to complain about how many soft goals Crawford's going to allow this year!

 

I am concerned if we fall into one of those ruts where we make the playoffs somewhat comfortably every year but never really challenge for the cup or even the finals.

 

I think something gets done today or tomorrow or not at all. They are just too close at this point. Apparently length of contract and length of the CBA are the two last sticking points. One thing I've heard very little about is realignment. They have to deal with the Winnipeg situation as part of this too I would think, since the PA quashed the league's realignment plan several months ago.