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CBA Notes: Timeline, World Cup, Fehr, Playoffs, Scheduling, Orr

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The NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement is not a topic that most hockey fans want to hear much about, as in its recent history it has become synonymous with lockouts and missed games (and seasons). Yet, it isn’t ever going away and details are already emerging about when the next round of negotiations could begin. The current CBA technically does not expire until September 15th after the 2021-22 season and can even be extended on a yearly basis after that point. However, both the league and the players’ association can opt out ahead of the 2020-21 season with notice given in September of 2019. That date is less than a year out, making discussions of the current state of NHL labor relations prevalent now even if the CBA ends up intact for many years still to come. Currently, the league is not planning to use their option in September, according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman. This is supported by claims that commissioner Gary Bettman has encouraged the NHLPA to figure out their stance as soon as possible. If the league is to hold an off-season World Cup tournament in 2020, as they did in 2016, they do not want to do so ahead of a season that could potentially be held up by a player strike. While the players have until September to make a decision on opting out of the current CBA ahead of the 2020-21 season, Friedman speculates that the league will need to know their intentions by the All-Star break this year or thereabouts if they are to begin planning the next World Cup. As Friedman notes, the international stage is very important to the players and with the NHL currently looking unlikely to attend the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China, the players may not want to risk their only other international experience, the World Cup. Will it be enough motivation to keep the CBA intact a while longer? We should know that answer before the end of the current season.

  • When CBA talks do finally re-open, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos states his belief that both sides are determined to avoid a work stoppage this time around. Although they will have to get over their recent tumultuous negotiating history, which has cost owners, players, and fans alike a season and a half since the turn of the century, as well as sort through some serious issues, the fact that both sides feel a shutdown would be a worst case scenario this time around is a positive note for everyone with a stake in the game.
  • Despite recent remarks that were inferred as signaling a coming end to his career, NHLPA Director Donald Fehr is not going anywhere, per Friedman. Fehr indicated that he would only be around for one or two more years, but walked back those comments by telling Friedman that he will stay on through the next CBA negotiation, whenever that is. The 70-year-old executive is well-respected if not feared for his hardball tactics, but has been optimistic about the next round of negotiations when approached about the topic recently. Fehr faces the tough choice of whether to opt out in 2020 (and retire sooner) or keep the peace for a couple more years instead.
  • One CBA topic gaining support is a change to playoff structure, reports Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston. However, it likely is not what many would consider to be the most pressing change. Johnston says that there is a growing movement among owners in favor of adding more teams to the playoff format. The NHL has operated with more than half of its teams making the postseason for many years now, but once Seattle joins the league as the 32nd member, that 16-team structure will now have a balance of exactly half the teams qualifying. Johnston believes that owners are in favor of a play-in structure, similar to the one recently adopted by Major League Baseball, that would hypothetically include two or four more teams to the postseason through do-or-die play-in games. Interestingly, this movement may never reach the bargaining table. Johnston notes that while some owners are in favor of this move, others, and most importantly Bettman, are happy with the current structure and are not seeking to change anything in the near future.
  • Changes to the playing schedule, particularly game times, could also be an intriguing CBA topic. Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press writes that many foreign-born NHL players are in favor of more frequent matinee games. Speaking with the Washington Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom and Lars Eller and the Florida Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov, Whyno found that many NHL imports feel that earlier games would be far more convenient for foreign fans and could help to grow the game overseas. While the league has proven to be very invested in expanding the game in Europe and beyond, afternoon games on weekdays are an impossibility, while afternoon games on weekends in the first half of the season would pit the NHL against NFL and NCAA football far more often. The players may be fine with losing domestic television ratings in exchange for increased visibility overseas, but the league likely will not be. In need of a new TV deal in 2021, the NHL is unlikely to hurt the market value of their TV rights by expressing an interest in more frequently taking on football, the most popular sport in the United States.
  • For his part, Bobby Orr thinks that another work stoppage is likely. Orr told The Canadian Press that he would be “surprised” if there isn’t a lockout or strike before the next CBA is agreed upon, calling it a “tough” situation. “I think there are concerns on both sides… I hope there isn’t… I hope I’m wrong. We don’t need another lockout”, Orr said. Orr is not only one of the game’s greatest legends, but through his agency, The Orr Hockey Group, gleams plenty of information about the state of the league. If Orr says that it’s going to be tough, he’s probably right. The only hope is that termination can be put off a while longer and issues can be worked out in the meantime.

Snapshots: Hurricanes, Nylander, Voynov, Global Series

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The Carolina Hurricanes have three scouts in attendance tonight at the Dallas Stars-Toronto Maple Leafs game and, according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, that is not just a fluke. Per Friedman, for the one team to have that many scouts in attendance on a night with 26 teams in action, there has to be a reason. Unless the Hurricanes and Stars have a deal on the table that no one has heard about quite yet, the implication would be that Carolina continues to be in hot pursuit of young forward William Nylander. Yet, Nylander is not in the Toronto lineup tonight, as he remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Why then would the Hurricanes still be out scouting the Maple Leafs? Friedman suggests that a possible Nylander deal, which looks more and more realistic with each day, could be of a much greater magnitude than a one-for-one swap. While many have suggested that a relatively simple exchange centered around Nylander and ’Canes defenseman Justin Faulk would make sense for both sides, it would seem to leave Toronto a little shortchanged. As such, if Carolina is watching other Maple Leafs, it would seem to indicate that the package from their side is quite larger than just one veteran defenseman. At the end of the day, there very well may never be a Nylander trade. However, the clues are building toward what could be a Toronto-Carolina blockbuster.

  • The opposite of mysterious trade dealings? How about a team outright stating they have no interest in acquiring a player. That is what the Arizona Coyotes did today, with The Athletic’s Craig Morgan reporting that the team has absolutely no interest in adding free agent defenseman Slava Voynov. Voynov, 28, has been out of the NHL for four years, but today applied for reinstatement. An interested team would have to trade for his rights from the Los Angeles Kings, but dealing with a division rival is likely not what is holding the Coyotes back. Voynov’s troubled past would mean bad PR for any team he ends up with and Arizona is simply opting not to expose themselves to that onslaught. There will no doubt be interest in the talented blue liner, just not from the Coyotes.
  • With NHL currently overseas as the Global Series takes place with games in Finland between the Winnipeg Jets and Florida Panthers, commissioner Gary Bettman took the opportunity to hint at what the future of the league’s action abroad could be. NHL.com’s Brian Compton writes that Bettman is currently working toward having preseason games in Germany and Switzerland again next year, while also planning for a season-opening series in Prague, Czech Republic and a later series in Stockholm, Sweden. He also states that the league has interest in returning to Finland in the near future as well. To date, the league has played 31 games overseas and has enjoyed success with growing the game on an international scale. The Global Series seems like a venture by the NHL with no shortage of opportunities and a excellent longevity.

Slava Voynov Has Applied For NHL Reinstatement

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Slava Voynov, former Los Angeles Kings defenseman that was suspended because of a domestic abuse case, has been trying to find a way back into the NHL since leaving the KHL after last season. Today, Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period and Sirius XM NHL Network Radio tweets that Voynov has indeed applied for reinstatement and passes along a quote from NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly:

We’re in process of an intense factual investigation. I’m not in a position to give timeline. When investigation is done, Commissioner will deal with his application for reinstatement.

Even if Voynov was reinstated, he would likely face a lengthy suspension from the league and would have to convince a team to complete a sign and trade with the Kings. That process may prove even more difficult than the league’s investigation, since it would come with a hailstorm of bad public relations for any team. Voynov is a talented, right-handed defenseman, but was essentially exiled from the NHL in 2014 and doesn’t have any clear suitors in the league yet.

Just because teams haven’t come out and shown their interest, doesn’t mean there isn’t any though. Earlier this summer, Katie Strang of The Athletic detailed in an unlocked story the entire Voynov saga and reported that “multiple NHL teams” have shown some interest. That doesn’t mean that any of them would step up to sign the 28-year old, given the obviously horrendous optics the signing would bring. For now, we’ll just have to wait for the NHL’s investigation to conclude and see if Commissioner Gary Bettman even rules that Voynov is eligible for reinstatement.

Snapshots: Three Stars, Betting, Rasmussen

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The NHL has decided on their Three Stars for the most recent week of hockey, and leading the way is someone who is no stranger to individual accolades. Sidney Crosby is the first star, after recording seven points in three games including two highlight reel efforts against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. Crosby continues to shine as he enters the back half of his career, and is well on his way to another point-per-game campaign.

The other two spots go to young Western Conference stars, with Mark Scheifele and Mikko Rantanen garnering second and third star respectively. Scheifele has developed into one of the very best two-way centers in the entire league, and will lead the Winnipeg Jets into action in Finland this week. Rantanen meanwhile is part of the hottest line in hockey for the Colorado Avalanche, and currently leads the league in points with 21 through his first 12 games.

  • The NHL has announced a partnership with MGM Resorts to enter the world of sports betting, giving the organization use of their official branding and trademarks. Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke very positively about the development as he announced it, and also explained that player tracking systems will be ready to implement next season. The league expects the partnership to first and foremost help with fan engagement, though it also will provide a new revenue stream.
  • Though it had been expected, head coach Jeff Blashill of the Detroit Red Wings confirmed that Michael Rasmussen will remain with the team for the time being. Rasmussen has currently played nine games in the NHL this season, meaning his next test will burn the first year of his entry-level contract. Blashill spoke highly of his young rookie, and explained that he’ll be moved back to center as they deal with injuries to some of their other options.

Tom Wilson Will Take Appeal To Neutral Arbitrator

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After receiving no reduction for his 20-game suspension from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman this week, Tom Wilson was given seven days to decide whether he’d take his appeal to a neutral arbitrator. It didn’t take quite that long to make a decision, as John Shannon of Sportsnet confirms that Wilson and the NHLPA will in fact appeal once again. This was not unexpected, as Wilson basically has nothing to lose at this point and could potentially see some of his lost salary returned to him.

When Dennis Wideman followed the same path and saw his suspension for colliding with an official reduced from 20 to 10 games, the Flames defenseman had already missed the original amount. What he did recoup by still appealing to the third party arbitrator was salary, which is part of why the NHLPA and Wilson will continue this course of action. The Washington Capitals forward has already missed nine games this season, and is scheduled to be eligible to return after the team’s November 19th matchup with the Montreal Canadiens. This arbitration process can be lengthy, and there’s a good chance most, if not all of his suspension will have already been served by the time a decision is made.

Bettman released a 31-page decision after a seven hour hearing for the first appeal, which detailed how the Department of Player Safety went about their 20-game decision in the first place. It also hoped that the long ban would serve as a “wake-up call” to Wilson in its conclusion, stating that the previous suspensions had clearly not been effective in deterring his behavior.

Gary Bettman Upholds Tom Wilson’s 20-Game Suspension

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After an in-person appeal in New York that took more than seven hours, Tom Wilson has not received any reduction of his 20-game suspension. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who heard the appeal, released his decision today to reject the appeal and uphold the full suspension. Wilson now has the option to appeal to a neutral arbitrator, as Austin Watson did for a domestic violence suspension earlier this year.

Coincidentally, tonight will also mark the debut for St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist, who was the target of the hit that earned Wilson the suspension. It was the fourth suspension in the last 105 games for Wilson, an “unprecedented frequency of suspensions in the history of the Department of Player Safety.” The Washington Capitals forward will forfeit more than $1.2MM in salary for the ban, which at this point is the major thing he is fighting for. Having already missed eight, Wilson will likely be out for nearly 20 games by the time any decision is made by a neutral arbitrator. He currently has seven days to file that appeal.

In the decision, which is 31 pages in length, Bettman notes that the NHLPA suggested a suspension of eight games was warranted if they were to accept the fact that he violated Rule 48 for checks to the head—which they did not, given the basis of the appeal. In fact, much of the weight of the decision surrounds the claim that Wilson did not violate Rule 48, as Sundqvist’s head was not the “main point of contact.” This, as well as the argument that Wilson’s history with the Department of Player Safety was unfairly characterized, was summarily dismissed by the commissioner. His decision finishes with a clear statement to Wilson:

One true and fundamental test of effective discipline is whether the discipline is of sufficient strength and impact that it has the effect of deterring the Player being disciplined from repeating the same or similar conduct in the future. By this standard, the supplementary discipline previously assessed to Mr. Wilson prior to this incident has clearly been ineffective in deterring his dangerously reckless play.

I hope that this decision will serve as an appropriate “wake-up call” to Mr. Wilson, causing him to reevaluate and make positive changes to his game.

Tom Wilson’s Appeal Set For Thursday In New York

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After Tom Wilson was given a 20-game suspension from the Department of Player Safety just before the start of the season, the wheels were almost immediately put in motion on an appeal through the NHLPA. The first such appeal, in which Wilson’s representation will be able to argue their case in front of commissioner Gary Bettman, will take place tomorrow in New York according to John Shannon of Sportsnet. Wilson has already sat out the Washington Capitals first five games, and will obviously miss a sixth tonight against the New York Rangers.

If the commissioner does not find reason to reduce the suspension, Wilson can then appeal through a neutral arbitrator similar to Austin Watson. Watson’s suspension was reduced from 27 games to 18, though that ban was for a domestic assault conviction and not an on-ice incident.

When the league’s Department of Player Safety handed out Wilson’s suspension, it noted that no other player had been given supplementary discipline at such a rate. This was Wilson’s fourth suspension in just over 100 games, and one that could define his career. If he were to return and be involved in a similar incident, there could be reason to suspend him for another huge chunk of games if not the remainder of the season. The appeal though could save Wilson quite a bit of money even if it comes down after the fact, just as Dennis Wideman did when his suspension was reduced after already serving more than 10 games.

NHL Executive Committee Recommends Seattle Expansion

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The group trying to bring the NHL to Seattle—including city mayor Jenny Durkan, Oak View Group (OVG) CEO Tim Leiweke—met with the NHL’s Board of Governors Executive Committee today in New York, and discussed the plan for expansion for several hours. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman then spoke to reporters including Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, and announced that the committee’s “formal recommendation” was to move forward with the application. The board will vote in December on the motion, and seems likely to approve the expansion at this point. Both sides today agreed that the 2020-21 season is the target, though obviously there are still several hurdles to overcome before then. Chris Daniels of K5 News in Seattle reports that the committee’s recommendation was unanimous.

Plenty of other tidbits are coming out about the Seattle expansion process, including the fact that the Vegas Golden Knights will be exempt from the expansion draft whenever it comes about, but the biggest takeaway from today is that the league seems ready and willing to welcome this investment group into the fold. Seattle is on track to become the league’s 32nd team, and clubs will now have to start (if they haven’t already) preparing their rosters for another draft.

The Seattle City Council recently approved plans for the arena construction proposed by OVG, contingent on this recommendation meaning things should move forward on their end as well. That demolition and reconstruction of the current building and area is the key to when Seattle would start playing, as it won’t actually start until the vote in December at the earliest. Projects like this often face delays, but it seems as though everyone is working towards a 2020-21 entrance into the league—assuming the league doesn’t have a work stoppage at the time triggered by the upcoming CBA negotiations.

Snapshots: Byron, Lindback, Bettman

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With the departures of Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk this summer, Paul Byron has seen his stock rise in Montreal. After breaking out with a 43-point campaign in 2016-17, Byron was again a top forward for the Canadiens last season with 35 points and a second consecutive 20-goal season. While the team’s trades have brought in the likes of Max Domi and Tomas Tatar, Byron is now one of the elder statesmen in the Habs forward corps and will be looked upon to take another step forward this year. Byron underwent off-season shoulder surgery and is focused on working his way back to full strength in training camp, with the Canadiens certainly hoping that he will be fully prepared for the regular season. One way or another, Byron’s production in 2018-19 will play a major role in Montreal’s season. Some fans see the 28-year-old impending free agent going the way of Pacioretty and being shipped out of town before he can walk next off-season. Others see him as part of the team new core moving forward. The latter philosophy gained some credence today when Sportsnet’s Eric Engels spoke with Byron. Byron stated that his agent and GM Marc Bergevin have had preliminary extension talks, although he admitted that all parties are interested in how his shoulder recovery and resulting scoring ability pan out. Byron added “I want to stay, I think they want to keep me. Hopefully we’ll get something done soon.” It seems that perhaps the Habs are moving on from trading away core pieces and could look to keep a healthy Byron around beyond this season.

  • While yesterday’s signing of Anders Lindback by HC Davos of the Swiss NLA is newsworthy enough – the veteran goaltender spent last year in the AHL and has 130 NHL games to his credit – the team’s reason for signing him will also have reverberations in the NHL. Davos was a playoff team in the NLA last season behind their young tandem of Gilles Senn, 22, and Joren van Pottelberghe, 21, and with both keepers still under contract, there was some question as to why the team felt the need to bring in a third goalie of Lindback’s pedigree. Swiss news source Tages Anzeiger reports that the age and performance of those goalies is the exact reason the team decided to move forward with a new starter. Both Senn and van Pottelberghe are NHL draft picks; Senn was selected as an overage player by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round of 2017, while van Pottelberghe was taken by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round when first eligible in 2015. Given their success, Davos was unable to convince either to abandon their plan of making the jump to North America next season, after their current contracts end, to begin the next stage of their careers. Rather than be left without any experienced goalies heading into next season, Davos decided to sign Lindback to a one-year deal to see if he could instead be their long-term solution. If Lindback meets expectations this year, expect an extension sometime over the course of the season.
  • Elsewhere on the international stage, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is very happy about the league’s growing relationship with China. The Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames are currently overseas in the second O.R.G. NHL China Games, after the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks squared off last fall. Per NHL.com’s Dan Rosen, Bettman sees this as just the beginning and has big plans for China. In fact, Bettman stated at a press conference on Friday that he envisions regular season games in China in the future, similar to the games planned in Sweden and Finland this season. With the Chinese government and several large companies committed to building rinks and arenas across the country, it’s fair to say that hockey has already made an impact and will only continue to grow in popularity in the world’s most populous country. Bettman acknowledges that no formal talks have been had about regular season games yet, but more preseason games are being scheduled and the league only stands to benefit from a continued presence in China.

2018 Hockey Hall Of Fame Inductees Announced

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The Hockey Hall of Fame have announced their inductees for 2018, and among them are Martin Brodeur and Martin St. Louis. The hall has also inducted Gary Bettman, Willie O’Ree, Jayna Hefford and Alexander Yakushev. Players like Sergei Zubov, Theoren Fleury, Daniel Alfredsson and Alexander Mogilny will have to wait at least another season to see if they are accepted into the honored group.

Brodeur sticks out among all the player candidates as the easiest decision after a career that set the all-time record for goaltenders in wins, shutouts, games played and points. Brodeur led the New Jersey Devils to three Stanley Cup championships, while also winning a Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie and four Vezina’s as the league’s top goaltender. His 691 career wins are 140 more than second place Patrick Roy, while he has a 23-shutout lead on Terry Sawchuk with 125. Roberto Luongo is the closest active goaltender in both categories, trailing in wins by 120 and shutouts by 49. Basically, his records are unlikely to be matched for a long time, if ever.

St. Louis is the poster boy for small players who were overlooked because of their size. Undrafted, St. Louis had to prove himself in college and then the IHL before being given an NHL opportunity. After some early struggles with the Calgary Flames, St. Louis turned into one of the most dynamic offensive players of a generation in Tampa Bay, twice winning the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top scorer. He also took home a Stanley Cup, a Hart Trophy, three Lady Byng’s and a handful of All-Star appearances during his 1,134-game career. St. Louis finished up with the New York Rangers in 2015 with 1,033 career points in the regular season. Add in 90 more playoff points in 107 games, and you have the career of a sure-fire Hall of Famer.

Bettman and O’Ree are heading in as builders, one a commissioner that has led the league since 1993 and the other the first black player to suit up for an NHL game. Bettman’s accomplishments in the league speak for themselves, as the NHL is in a strong financial position and is expected to expand to 32 teams in the near future. It’s O’Ree though who will go in with much fanfare, after years of watching from the sidelines. Making his debut for the Boston Bruins on January 18, 1958, O’Ree would break the color barrier for the NHL and change how the game was seen for many around the world. His impact wasn’t as simple as that game though, as O’Ree has worked tirelessly with the league and hockey community for the six decades that have followed to introduce the game to players who might not normally be given the opportunity to play. Even now, at the age of 82 he continues his work to ensure that no one should be denied the chance to play hockey because of the color of their skin.

Hefford, a legend in women’s hockey goes into the Hall of Fame just four years after winning her fourth Olympic gold medal. She also took home 12 World Championship medals, the first of which she earned back in 1997 as a teenager. A prolific scoring threat for her whole career, she routinely recorded crucial goals in the dying minutes of important international games, and dominated the NWHL and CWHL during season play.

Yakushev may be less well-known to younger NHL fans, but anyone who watched the 1972 Summit Series will be familiar of his work. The legendary Russian player was a mixture of skill and brute force, and collected 10 World Championship medals over his long career. In ’72 against Canada, one of the most famous international series of all-time, Yakushev actually led the Russian squad and trailed only Phil Esposito—a player he was compared to during his time—in total scoring.

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