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.

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.

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.

Here we go again...

From Rick Westhead of the Toronto Star:

But perception is reality and at least several players came away from the meetings believing they just heard more evidence about why the NHL is not to be trusted.

The union also agreed to form a committee to decide whether to opt out of its labour agreement next summer, two years before it's due to expire.

It all adds up to a smouldering mistrust of the league that's beginning to build among players.

Read Westhead's entire story about labor unrest here.

This is terrific. Nothing like some labor unrest to make the NHL more interesting. Are we in store for another lockout? If so, would anyone comeback to watch the game?