Paul Kelly wants more Canadian franchises

From TSN:

NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly weighed in on the side of NHL expansion into Canada and increased revenue sharing on Team 1040 radio in Vancouver on Thursday.

"We're very supportive of the Canadian franchises, not only because of the history and tradition, but also because of the results," Kelly explained on the TEAM 1040.

"I mean the Canadian fans are like no others," he continued. "They're passionate, they come out and support it, they buy the merchandise, and they're knowledgeable about the sport. And it seems to us a no-brainer that if you're going to expand or you're going to relocate, that you first and foremost have to consider some of the major hubs here in Canada. You know, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Quebec City, perhaps Halifax if they had an arena that could sustain an NHL team. But I think there are locations in Canada that would strongly support the NHL game."

Read the entire article here.

I couldn't agree more with Kelly. The game needs to move back to its roots and where it matters most. There are many successful American NHL franchises, but the ones in the south that have been struggling for some time are the most likely candidates for any franchise relocation.

If Balsillie were allowed to buy the Predators...

From the Globe & Mail:

If the National Hockey League had played its cards right, one of its most troubled franchises would soon have a new home in a stable hockey market, with stable ownership and a stable future. Instead, having outsmarted itself in blocking the move of a U.S.-based team to Canada, the league has an unholy mess.

Little more than a year ago, Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie was set to buy the foundering Nashville Predators and move them to Hamilton. It was a marriage made in heaven. Mr. Balsillie, the co-CEO of Research In Motion, is a dynamic and deep-pocketed owner of a kind the NHL needs more of. And a team in Hamilton would have thrived; more than 12,000 fans quickly put down deposits for season tickets in expectation of the Predators' arrival.

Read the entire editorial here. (Hat tip to Puck Daddy)

I tend to agree with this editorial. If the NHL was not going to give Balsillie the option of moving the team, why did it essentially give that option to Del Biaggio? Would NHL hockey be more profitable in Kansas City than Hamilton? C'mon.

Radulov practices with KHL team

From Jessica Hopp of the Tennessean:

Predators forward Alexander Radulov participated in his new Russian team's training camp Friday even though his contract was suspended by the International Ice Hockey Federation.

Continental Hockey League President Alexander Medvedev said the international federation can't keep Radulov off the ice during domestic competition or camp.

The suspension applies to his new team Salavat Yulaev Ufa's games in the inaugural Champions Hockey League, a tournament to determine Europe's top club team that starts in October. It also would apply to the World Championships and the Olympics.

Read the entire story here.

The KHL is adamant that Radulov's contract was not in violation of their agreement with the NHL. So, expect Radulov to continue practicing until the issue gets resolved one way or another.

KHL does not accept proposal to suspend player's signed contracts

From the KHL Press Service:

“We do not accept the idea of suspending the contracts because this has not been agreed on by KHL and NHL. The mentioned players should not be made ‘scapegoats’ due to the fact that the Memorandum of Agreement has not been signed between the KHL and the NHL. In the absence of a signed Memorandum of Agreement between the KHL and the NHL, it is important to remember that the player is under contract with the individual clubs and the KHL can only enforce any such agreements with the NHL, once the Memorandum has been signed by all parties,” said KHL President Alexander Medvedev.

KHL management calls on NHL to sign the Memorandum of agreement and to put it into force from July, 10 2008, which will legally prevent similar cases between the NHL and the KHL in the future.

This is beginning to look like a serious battle between the NHL and KHL.

Jim Dolan does not back down from Bettman and the NHL

From John Dellapina of the New York Daily News:

The Garden filed its response Thursday night to that June 18 counterclaim in which the league asked the U.S. District Court for Southern New York to not only dismiss the Garden's original lawsuit from last September but also permit the commencement of in-house disciplinary action that could result in the Rangers franchise being stripped from MSG's ownership.

In its response, the Garden argued again that specific league policies were illegal - even if ratified by a vote of clubs - and that the NHL rule prohibiting a member club from suing it (under penalty of franchise forfeiture) also was illegal.

Read the short story here.

It is no surprise that Dolan has gone right back at the NHL with his complaints. The relationship between MSG and the NHL is sure to become more strained than cordial over the next little while.

Report: Del Biaggio had special permission to avoid review

From Brad Schrade of the Tennessean:

A potential investor in the Nashville Predators says troubled financier William J. "Boots" Del Biaggio III told him the NHL allowed Del Biaggio to bypass some of the league's strict financial background checks for prospective owners.Doug Bergeron, a California-based Canadian investor and entrepreneur and president of DGB Investments, was among those to whom Del Biaggio tried to market a share of the Predators.

Bergeron said Del Biaggio told him in December that National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman's office had given special permission for Del Biaggio to buy a share of the team without being subjected to all the scrutiny the league usually gives to prospective owners. Del Biaggio told him the commissioner's office did not require him to show audited financial statements before it approved him.

Read the entire story here.

This article is worth the long read. Schrade has done a terrific job of breaking news on this story for the Tennessean.

KHL places moratorium on signing NHL players

From the NY Times:

According to an item on the web site championat.ru (translations by Jeff Klein), the Russian KHL has announced this morning that it is officially declaring a moratorium on signing NHL players except those who are free agents and will respect existing NHL contracts. According to the statement made today, the KHL recognizes the agreement of July 10, the day the KHL, NHL, NHLPA and IIHF worked out their most recent understanding in Zurich.

Read more from Slap Shot here.

This seems to be an official announcement. That said, it doesn't address the Alexander Radulov issue. Instead, the agreement only limits the ability of the KHL to sign anymore NHL players who are currently under contract.

The Radulov saga continues on...

Frogren expected to be at training camp

From Mark Zwolinkski of the Toronto Star:

Fletcher will likely have Frogren in training camp under the contract the two sides signed a little over a week ago that will pay Frogren $2.1 million over two years.

The deal – which reportedly came with a $700,000 signing bonus – was rejected by the NHL July 9.

Yesterday afternoon, after 5 p.m., the players' association notified the league of its plans to grieve the league's decision. The process is expected to be lengthy – the grievance likely won't be heard until some time into next season.

Frogren will be allowed to play under terms of the current deal until the standoff is settled.

Read the entire article here.

With the Frogren hearing not expected for a while, the Leafs will have a chance to see the player they signed at training camp. However, you have to wonder if the contract issue will be distraction for the first year NHLer. Especially in media crazy Toronto.

NHL rejects Filatov contract...but not to worry

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

The NHL today rejected the contract signed by Nikita Filatov with the Blue Jackets late last week. But ...

It has nothing to do with Russian claims that Filatov is still property of his Russian club, CSKA Moscow, or that the Blue Jackets owe CSKA Moscow compensation. It has nothing to do with the Continental Hockey League.

Read the entire post here.

If that was the only problem with the contract, which by all accounts it was, then the contract should be approved tomorrow.

Medvedev says Radulov is free to sign with Continental Hockey League

From Jeff Klein of the NY Times:

KHL president Alexander Medvedev said yesterday that the “existing gentleman’s agreement” worked out between the NHL, KHL and IIHF in Zurich on Thursday “is not backed by documents,” allowing Alexander Radulov to leave his Nashville contract and go to Salavat Yulaev Ufa because no international agreement had yet been signed when Radulov made his move.

Mevedev said the agreement would be signed “in two or three days, probably Monday,” and that once it is signed, it will “not be retroactive.” Radulov’s move to Salavat is “a situation not subject to dispute,” said Medvedev, who represented the KHL at the Zurich meeting.

Read the entire entry from Slap Shot here.

Medvedev is obviously looking to pick a fight with the NHL. If the NHL and KHL had an agreement in place when it was first reported, then Radulov would not be able to make the switch for next season. However, Medvedev is claiming it was a "gentleman's agreement." So, more information is needed on what exactly was agreed to before anything can be substantiated.

Ken Campbell Discusses the CBA Screwup

Hockey News writer Ken Campbell details how the Jonas Frogren situation in Toronto has exposed an error in the CBA.

Here’s the crux of the issue. Frogren turns 28 on Aug. 28, and by the NHL’s definition, he’s considered a 28-year-old for the 2008-09 season. In Article 9 (c) of the collective bargaining agreement, it clearly states, “a European player who signs his first SPC (Standard Player’s Contract) at age 28 or older is not subject to the entry level system under any circumstances.”

Thats a tough one. I expect the NHLPA to win out on this one, especially since the NHL's argument that he is a "defected player" seems pretty weak.

Is Radulov actually heading to Russia?

From Jeff Klein of the NY Times:

Nashville forward Alexander Radulov has reportedly signed a three-year contract with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, the current Russian champions, according to a report in the Russian paper Sport-Express and first carried in English by the web site Fourth Period. Radulov, 22, reportedly has one year left on his contract with the Predators. Under the preliminary agreement reached last month and confirmed Thursday in Zurich between NHL and KHL officials not to poach players under contract, Radulov may have to stay in Nashville. No reaction yet from NHL, KHL, Predators or Salavat officials.]

Read more about the NHL/KHL "agreement" here.

Wow, this is getting quite interesting. First off, if Radulov does bolt for Russia, that is a huge loss for the Predators heading into next season. The ultra-talented forward was certainly expected to exceed the 30 goal mark this upcoming season. However, by the sounds of it, Radulov may be blocked from heading back home. I guess that really depends on when he agreed to a contract with a KHL squad. If he agreed to a contract prior to the NHL/KHL pact, then he may be free to go. On the other hand, if he didn't sign with the team until after the pact, then he will probably be suiting up for the Predators come the fall. Regardless, this story will surely get more intense over the hours and days ahead.

Update: Word is official from TSN.

Alexander Radulov has made the jump back home, as the young forward signed with Ufa of the Russian Superleague on Thursday. The financial details of the contract were not disclosed.Radulov, who is still under contract with the Nashville Predators, said he had warned the team that he wanted to play in Russia.

Here is the link.

Huge loss for the Predators. The team has signed almost all of its young core players to long-term pacts, so they will still be a good young team for many years, but the loss of Radulov leaves a 30 goal hole in their line-up. Never mind the fact that he was under contract for one more year and wasn't even a free agent.

This isn't the last we've heard of this story.

Filatov is coming to Columbus, but not without a fight from the Continental Hockey League

From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:

On Wednesday, Alexander Medvedev, president of Russia's new Continental Hockey League, said he expects the Blue Jackets to compensate Filatov's Russian club, CSKA Moscow, at least $500,000 in each season for Filatov's rights. The Jackets and the NHL vehemently disagree with Medvedev's stance.

"It is the league's position that the Blue Jackets have no obligation to pay any fee whatsoever, regardless of where Mr. Filatov plays next year," said Bill Daly, deputy commissioner of the NHL.

Read the entire article here.

I don't think the Jackets will have to pay any compensation to the Continental League for bringing over Filatov. However, it is obvious that the league's president, Alexander Medvedev, is going to make the process as difficult as possible.

NHL/KHL agreement not as significant as it may seem

From Jeff Klein of the NY Times:

All the two leagues agreed to in Zurich today (Thursday) was to continue the de facto arrangement they made several weeks ago — an arrangement given teeth by IIHF president and International Olympic Committee member Rene Fasel when he said last month that any federation that violated an existing contract would be barred from the Olympics.

Despite headlines that read “NHL, Russian league reach deal on player transfers” (National Post), “NHL, Russian league reach peace deal” (Yahoo news), and “NHL, Russian hockey league reach transfer agreement” (CTV.ca), nothing of the sort has actually happened.

Read the entire post from Slap Shot here.

Both sides seem set in their ways, which makes one think this dispute is far from over.

Burke responds to Lowe's comments...kind of

From Dan Wood of the Orange County Register:

More importantly, we believe our fan base is as supportive and as rabid and as loyal as any fan base in pro sports, not just in the National Hockey League. We’ve played to 77 (consecutive home) sellouts, which I believe is the third-best streak in the NHL. All of our suites are sold. Club seats are at record levels. No one can question the commitment and support and loyalty of the Anaheim Ducks fan base. We believe they’re the best fans in professional sports.

Read the entire story here.

Obviously the NHL's directive has limited the entertainment value of Burke's comments.

It comes as no surprise that Burke has defended his market to the press. One of his strengths as a GM has been his ability to increase his team's prominence in its particular market.

Is the NHL's revenue sharing system flawed?

From Al Strachan of Fox Sports:

The idea was that the small-market teams would get some of the revenues of the large-market teams and thereby be allowed to compete. But there are flaws in that system.

For instance, in order to qualify for full revenue sharing, a team's revenue must increase faster than the league average and certain attendance levels must be met. But how can you meet those goals without spending more on players? Fans won't come to see a struggling team.

Read more Strachan's entire article here.

Strachan doesn't like Gary Bettman and never has, so his objectiveness may be called into question. That said, he raises many valid points in this article and makes a convincing argument that the system really hasn't accomplished what it set out to do.

Jagr's decision to head to Russia was not easy

From Pierre Lebrun of the Canadian Press:

"It wasn't an easy decision," the star winger told The Canadian Press in a
phone interview Friday. "It was the toughest decision in my life, hockey-wise.
...

"It was a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be," he added. "No
question about it. I hate making changes."

Read the entire article here.

Jagr admits in this piece that he was asking for a three-year deal. With the new CBA holding teams accountable for +35 age signings, Jagr was not going to get that kind of term in the NHL. Nonetheless, his talents will certainly be missed by all hockey fans, as he was arguably one of the most exciting players to watch over the past twenty years.

New York to host the 2010 Winter Classic?

From John Dellapina of the NY Daily News:

The Daily News has learned that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Yankees COO Lonn Trost and mayor Mike Bloomberg concluded their discussions on the topic recently with each pledging their interest in playing a Winter Classic in the new Yankee Stadium - perhaps on New Year's Day 2010.

Read the entire article here.

Good idea for the NHL. The Winter Classic should become an annual event and including the league's major cities has to be a must.

NHL and MSG not best of friends

From Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail:

The war between the Rangers and the NHL started over who controls the rights to new media and the potentially lucrative revenue streams that it produces now and down the road. Three times, the Rangers' lawsuits have gone to court; three times the NHL won its case. Instead of understanding the old maxim that three strikes and you're out, the Rangers have challenged the NHL on an anti-trust basis – essentially arguing that everything the league does is unlawful.

In effect, Wednesday's filing by the NHL is a counter-attack – what a source with knowledge of the situation described as "trying to put the Rangers at risk" after failing to abide by previous court rulings. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, passing through the lobby of a downtown hotel, declined comment. However, sources said the league was asking the court for permission to fine, suspend or in a worst-case scenario, forfeit the franchise, if it MSG persists in its action.

Read more about this bizarre story here.

It doesn't get any more odd than this scenario. Don't expect this to end up with MSG forfeiting the Rangers to the NHL but this story sure makes you wonder who hates who behind the scenes.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Ed Chynoweth, former WHL president, has passed away. Bob McKenzie has a mini-obit here.
2. NBC and the NHL have extended their agreement through next season.
3. Adam Proteau calls out the officials from last night's Caps-Flyers game.
4. Scott Burnside with a postmortem on the Capitals.
5. Interesting piece on Brian Burke, as found in the National Post.
6. A comprehensive look around the NHL by Stan Fischler.
7. Five for Fighting (wasn't that a band?) updates the injury situation in Dallas.
8. Doug McLean wants to coach the Panthers...again.
9. The Red Deer Advocate calls for more nudity and less arson should the Canadiens win again. Jean Beliveau is upset with the rioting.
10. Another article on playoff beards.
11. The LA Kings have signed Oscar Moller to an entry level deal.
12. The Hot List.
13. HV71 wins the Swedish Elite League championship.
14. Willa Ford blogs on the Stars' first round victory.
15. The IHL lives to play another season.
16. Elliotte Friedman discusses the Mike Gillis hire.
17. The Slapshot blog looks back at some memorable Montreal-Philly matchups.
18. The USA wins the bronze medal at the World Under-18's.
19. The Leafs' GM wish list.
20. Canada hangs a dirty one on the Russians; win Gold Medal.
21. Sean Avery will intern at Vogue this summer, while the NHL looks to cash in on its new rule.
22. Scott Burnside breaks down the Wings-Avs series.
23. Bruce Boudreau has been given a new contract by the Washington Capitals.
24. Allan Muir has questions about the Sharks.
25. Interesting article about the demise of the NHL.