The NHL has announced they've cancelled games until January 14th. Relax folks; this is all part of the lockout drama. There are no real dates with this.
Immediately, the mainstream media on Twitter: "January 14th is the end. That's the date the NHL and NHLPA will negotiate around. It's all or nothing." No it isn't. The lockout could stretch into February, and there could still be a CBA sorted and some hockey games played. 48 games, like the 'final' date, is just a number.
People love drama. With games cancelled until January 14th, now we have a number. A way for the media to hold the NHL's and NHLPA's feet to the fire. January 14th gives everyone a good chance to enjoy their Christmas...hell, even New Year's...before serious negotiations need to begin.
I'm gonna say what I've been saying for months now: If the NHL and NHLPA wanted a deal, they'd have it already. They could settle this at any given moment. Why haven't they? Because the players are dumb and the owners want Donald Fehr gone more than they want a season. Forget make whole, contract lengths and UFA status. The actual battle line has absolutely everything to do with Fehr's existence as part of the NHL. The players love him, and the owners hate him. As long as he's part of the mix, there will be no hockey.
In Other News...
- Team Canada absolutely stunk up the ice against Team Finland. I told you folks to be very cautious with your optimism when it comes to Canada at the World Juniors. As deep as the Canadian team appears to be, they don't have a game-changer. I adore Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but he's not the type of player who can dominate games. What makes him great is that he can do just about anything out there; offensively or defensively. A brilliant talent. But he's not like a Jordan Eberle or a Taylor Hall; someone who can flat-out dominate a game. I do believe Nail Yakupov and Justin Schultz also have the ability to control the atmosphere of a game.
I don't want to sound like I'm bashing Nuge, because I'm definitely not. If you remember your Oilers history, you'll know back in the glory days, there were three players on the team who were game-changers: Gretzky, Messier and Coffey. Sometimes Fuhr, but goalies are like that. The great ones will single-handedly steal victories once in a while. Around Gretzky, Messier and Coffey were extremely skilled and talented guys like Jari Kurri and Glenn Anderson. Nuge is certainly an important part of the future championship Oilers.
Nugent-Hopkins is world-class on the power-play; I think we can all agree on that. I'm not sure the rest of Team Canada is offensively skilled enough or fast enough to keep up with Team Russia, in particular. Truthfully, the gold could go to the Russians, Swedes, Fins, Czechs, American or Canadians. It's a crap shoot this year. More than anything else, I'm cheering for Nuge and Yakupov to get through it without getting injured.
- Did I hear that right this morning, while driving into work: Sam Gagner has 18pts in 7 games in Austria? He should stay there: He's a God in that league. If we ever get another NHL season, I'm cheering for Gagner more than anyone else to have a huge season. He's much better of a player than people make him out to be.
- How injured is Ladislav Smid? I heard he's hurt, but I've seen none of the details. That absolutely stinks if he is; the Oilers need that guy.
- Nephew Tim has a sense of humor. He sent Bob Stauffer a Tweet yesterday suggesting the Oilers pick up Ron Hainsey as an extra defenseman. Yuck. If I was the Oilers, I wouldn't go near any player who is part of the NHLPA braintrust.
Speaking of Nephew Tim, he asked me to post a video he and his band cooked up recently, so here you go. I think they sell this on iTunes? If you buy it on iTunes, you can listen to it on your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or just stick the file in your iCloud for a rainy day. Does Apple have trouble coming up with original names for their electronic devices? iLame.
In case you wondered, my Nephew Tim is the bass player who's rocking the serious Ryan Smyth mullet. If you bump into him in the Edmonton area, make sure to ask him if he's Chad Kroeger. He loves that.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»