Finally back from a great weekend in Boston and I see there has been little in the way of progress in conversations between the NHL and NHLPA.
While there’s still time for a last minute miracle, it certainly looks like the National Hockey League is headed for yet another lockout. At a time when the league is surrounded by good vibes and record revenues, the powers that be have decided now is a good time to lock the doors to arenas around North America.
I could try to write exactly how the possibility of a lockout makes me feel but as you know, swearing is discouraged around these parts. This entry will be my last commentary on this lockout business until there’s a resolution. To try to keep things interesting, we’ll begin to transition this into a blog that combines information on what’s happening down in Bingo and anywhere else a Senator is playing hockey.
AHL hockey, the European leagues, prospects playing Junior. Until the NHL gets its act together, that will become the focus of SensChirp. Obviously free to discuss the negotiations in the comment section below but I’ll do my best to come up with other topics to help pass the time.
On that note, it was announced this morning that there will be a special exception made for AHL veterans on two way contracts.
According to Renaud Lavoie on Twitter, the NHL and NHLPA have agreed to create a unique waiver exemption that will allow veteran of the AHL, that are on two way contracts to join AHL teams without needing to clear waivers. Those same players will be required to pass through re-entry waivers within three days of the NHL season starting.
While at first glance this sounded like good news for the BSens, it actually won’t have much of an impact on the Sens AHL affiliate. Young players like Cowen, Silfverberg, Stone and Zibanejad will all still be eligible to join Binghamton. Veteran AHLers like Smith, Condra and Greening are on one way contracts and would not be eligible for the exemption.
Either way, the fans down in Bingo should be in for an entertaining season. Think some SensChirp Readers may have to round up another Bingo Bus and stop by for a visit.
- The KHL has also announced their plans for locked out NHL players indicating that each team can have a maximum of three NHL players and they can not earn more than 65% of their NHL salary.
- There may be no NHL hockey this fall but there will be some temporary relief for gamers. NHL 13 is now available and in stores. I plan on picking up the game in the next couple days and will see if there is a way to get a SensChirp league going to help pass the time during the lockout. Stay tuned for details.
