Winter Classic expected to be cancelled tomorrow … 3 groups of owners … Coyotes lay off 1 employee … Many didn’t return after last lockout

Mark Easson

12 years ago

TSN: The NHL is expected to cancel the Winter Classic on Friday. A $250,000 payment to the University of Michigan for the use of the Big House is due on Friday. $1 million was to be paid on December 7th and December 28th, and $650,000 on January 18th. Bill Daly and Steve Fehr had planned on talking face to face on Tuesday, but they were not able to make arrangements due to the weather.

Darren Dreger via twitter: Steve Fehr and Bill Daly spoke extensively on the phone on Tuesday about a variety of issues.

Elliotte Freidman of CBC: Freidman points out there are 3 groups of owners: “the ones who want to play; the ones in the middle, including Tampa and Nashville, who want a better collective bargaining agreement but recognize not playing is worse; and the hardliners.” The players think that Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs is calling the shots. The “hardliners” group may include the Ducks, Blue Jackets, Panthers, Islanders, Coyotes, Blues, Capitals and Stars. That is enough teams to block any agreement. Some teams didn’t like the idea of teams reaching the salary floor with actual cash and not bonus money.

Darren Dreger via twitter: “Intelligent players and owners are rightfully questioning direction. Not weakness…eagerness to get a deal done.” To which Allan Walsh responded: “Lockout was planned by NHL owners last year before they negotiated NBC deal. Every NHL move follows “lockout playbook.” NHL Lockout Playbook: Pull offer, cancel games, cancel Winter Classic, make new offer with reduced Player Share, threaten to cancel season. Every move by NHL is aimed at breaking players resolve instead of negotiating a fair deal. NHL owner strategy working?: WC cancelled, sponsors pulling out, season ticket holders canceling, franchise values plummeting.

Adrian Dater via twitter: The Phoenix Coyotes laid off some staff yesterday. Greg Wyshynski via twitter: Wyshynski spoke with Tim Bulmer who was laid off by the Coyotes. It was CBA related and was the only one laid off so far. (early yesterday afternoon)

Eric Macramalla via twitter: About 240 players didn’t return after the 2003-04 lockout.

Allan Walsh via twitter: Sean O’Donnell: “The players that were in this league before me took care of me and made sure I got paid well and got paid fair, and I’ve had a good career because of it. So, that means it’s my responsibility — even if that means it costs me the end of my career. I have to do what’s right for the guys that are coming down the road.”