Saturday, December 15, 2012

Order In The Game!


 
I spent almost all of yesterday at the ER with my parents.  They are getting older and are experiencing some tough times as a result of their age.  Thankfully, their spirit has allowed them to fight through a lot of obstacles their health has thrown their way.

While I was in the Emergency room, I read a tweet from B.D. Gallof that said, “NHL FILES CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT IN FEDERAL COURT AND UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGE WITH NLRB.”

It listed a press release issued by the league.

“Per NHL Press Release

NEW YORK (December 14, 2012) -- Today, in response to information
indicating that NHL Players have or will be asked to vote to authorize the
National Hockey League Players' Association's Executive Board to proceed to
"disclaim interest" in continuing to represent the Players in collective
bargaining, the National Hockey League filed a Class Action Complaint in
Federal Court in New York seeking a Declaration confirming the ongoing
legality of the lockout."


Simultaneously with the filing of its Complaint, the NHL also filed
an Unfair Labor Practice Charge with the National Labor Relations Board
alleging that by threatening to "disclaim interest," the NHLPA has engaged
in an unlawful subversion of the collective bargaining process and conduct
that constitutes bad faith bargaining under the National Labor Relations
Act.

Chris Botta added,”the  NHL move was in response to news that the players were to vote to authorize the PA Executive Board to proceed to Disclaim Interest.”

Guess it sounds like a preemptive strike, huh.

Maybe I’ll send my parents phone number to both the NHL Ownership and its organized players.  I think they have become so obsessed with the process that they have forgotten about what it takes to fight through adversity and reach their goal.  Working out a functioning CBA in order to bring NHL hockey to its loyal fan base.

I have been following the reports of a lot of talented media professionals who have helped me understand that although there are many angles to the CBA, the parts of the NHL and NHLPA machine seem to be incapable of meshing at all.  It also seems that as a collective negotiation, with or without a mediator or specific people in the room, there is no solution to be found between these two groups.  In the meantime, cities that usually host these NHL franchises are leaving millions of dollars on the table as well.

Katie Strang is reporting that the PA will have a vote Sunday to decide whether or not to disband the Union.   She states, “NHLPA vote to authorize Executive Board discretion to dissolve union begins tomorrow. NHLPA has until Jan 2 to disclaim interest.”  This is an amazing development to me.  Does it say that Fehr is no longer appreciated or is it a recognition by the players the league WILL NOT deal Fehr?

Per John Willis, “The NHL's class action complaint is almost identical to the NBA's, but the differences are interesting.”  This article is an interesting follow up to the one I reposted by Dave Zirin about the Lockout Lawyers.

One thing is certain.  The NHL and its players need to end this lockout soon while it still has some fans left.  Has the well been poisoned?  Time will tell.
 
 

Isles Notes:

Per Corey Pronman, “Niederreiter tied for 3rd in AHL scoring. Funny thing what prime ice time in an ideal development environment can do.”

Per Mark Masters, Team Canada cut Isles prospect, Adam Pelech.

Rick DiPietro has not played much for his German squad.  Alst week, BD Gallof said,” t's 12/10 & do you know where the 15yr goaltender is? Still not played since groin denial,11/5. Swollen knee likeliest culprit.”

“Per German site, DiPietro has flown home along with some other US players from team to spend holidays in US.”

 

Sound Tigers Notes:


Dec 15th

BST vs Norfolk Admirals

Brock Nelson is out after leaving last night's game in the 2nd period. Casey Cizikas will center top line, remaining lines shuffled as well.

Forward lines: Niederreiter-Cizikas-McDonald, Persson-Sundstrom-Riley, Ullstrom-Watkins-Backman, Gallant-Halmo-MacKay.

Sound Tigers will skate seven defensemen - Jordan Hill is in, while Mike Halmo is the final scratch.

Sound Tigers starters - Niederreiter-Cizikas-McDonald, Donovan-Wishart. Kevin Poulin between the pipes.

Smith-Pelly w/ the winner in 8th round of shootout, Admirals beat Sound Tigers 3-2. Poulin w/ 50 saves in regulation, stops 6-of-8 shooters.

Dec 14th

BST vs Norfolk Admirals

UPS line back together as David Ullstrom rejoins Persson & Sundstrom

Forward lines: Niederreiter-Nelson-McDonald, Persson-Sundstrom-Ullstrom, Riley-Cizikas-Backman, Gallant-Watkins-Halmo.

Sound Tigers scratches tonight are Travis Hamonic, Calvin de Haan, Max MacKay, Jordan Hill, Brandon DeFazio and Kirill Kabanov.

Starting lineup - Riley-Cizikas-Backman, Donovan-Wishart, Nilsson in net.

Sound Tigers WIN! After review, ref determines puck crossed goal line before net came off moorings. Cizikas w/ the GWG, 4-3 BST in OT!

Dec 11th

Forward lines: Niederreiter-Nelson-McDonald, Persson-Sundstrom-MacKay, Riley-Cizikas-Backman, Gallant-Watkins-Halmo.

Sound Tigers final scratch is Jordan Hill. Starters: Niederreiter-Nelson-McDonald, Cantin-Landry. Nilsson in net, Poulin backs up.

Rundblad fires from the slot to beat Nilsson with five seconds left on Nelson penalty. Portland wins 2-1 in overtime.

Dec 9th

BST vs Syracuse Crunch

Today's starters - Niederreiter-Nelson-McDonald, Cantin-Landry, Nilsson. Scratches are 3,12,24,25,42,77

Cizikas is a reported upper-body injury, though different from the last upper-body injury that cost him six games.

Colin McDonald posts four points in first home game as captain, Sound Tigers power past Crunch 7-2.

Dec 8th

BST vs.  Alabany Devils

Colin McDonald wore the "C" for the first time, Casey Cizikas and Matt Watkins were the assistant captains.

Forward lines: Niederreiter-Nelson-McDonald, Persson-Sundstrom-MacKay, Halmo-Cizikas-Riley, Gallant-Watkins-Backman.

New look Defensive pairs: McIver-Ness, Donovan-Wishart, Cantin-Landry

Jordan Hill is indeed the Sound Tigers final scratch. Starters: Niederreiter-Nelson-McDonald, Donovan-Wishart, Nilsson in goal.

Albany 3, Sound Tigers 1

 

NHL Notes:
 

NHL announces cancellation of 2012-13 regular-season schedule through December 30th. That’s over 43% of the 2012-13 season.

Adam Proteau adds, “With its cancellations today, the NHL is now one day away from making the 2012-13 season the 2013 season.”

Per Check The Ticker, Dec 10th  marks the 500th day of the 3 combined NHL lockouts under Gary Bettman.

Per Daniel Tolensky, “Since 02-03 as league revenue grows from 1.996 bil to 3.4 bil: Players' share +13.8% Owners' share +238.6%.”
 
 

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