Hope all of the folks, in the tri-state area, affected by the storm are doing infinitely better.

To Jan and whomever else on here that incurred serious damage and loss, due to Sandy, I hope things get better and in a hurry.

As far as the season is concerned, I am as pessimistic as ever about saving it.

Every day that goes by it just gets more apparent nothing is going to get done.
- MidnightMarauder

Got our power back on Saturday night after 13 days without it.

Got phone and internet back at 5 this afternoon.

Cable came on when the power did, even thought we lost it a half hour before we lost power on the Monday the storm hit. The cable line is laying on the ground but is still working. Have a technician scheduled to come out Friday to pull the line up.

So many big trees down in the yard with massive root balls pulled out of the ground. Having a chain saw/wood cutting picnic on Sunday with a half dozen young guys from the office coming over with chain saws and wood splitters. I feed them for as long as they stay and they keep whatever they cut. It is all ash, oak and maple and I already have a few pick up truck loads cut and ready to go. There will be more than enough left for me to replenish what I burned the 13 days we had no power. Thank God for good friends.....

I'm hoping there are still some of you out there and that not too many of you have jumped off the ledge.

This may just be the desperate, hockey-deprived fan in me, but I think we may finally be seeing some headway in these negotiations. I think we might see NHL hockey sooner rather than later, and here's why:

After several days of meetings, the NHL called for a moratorium on negotiations feeling the two sides were still to far apart to continue. The main issue still appeared to be the split of HRR. The PA responded by requesting a meeting, and the NHL agreed to this request which is why the two sides met again last night. Going into this meeting, I could see two possible outcomes: 1) the PA brings a decent proposal to the table to continue negotiations, or 2) the PA requests this meeting as a PR stunt with no intention of making a decent proposal to make it seem like they are the ones willing to negotiate while making the NHL look like the bad guys.

After the meeting last night, the NHL asked the PA to put together a formal proposal. It is believed that the PA can have this proposal together later today. Again, I see two similar outcomes: 1) the PA brought a proposal to the table last night that the NHL is willing to work with, or 2) the NHL isn't really willing to negotiate and this is just an NHL PR stunt to make the PA look bad.

I wouldn't put the PR stunt ideas past either Bettman or Fehr, but at this point trying to save face in a league that is quickly vanishing from the public's memory seems foolosh. It would be especially Richardish if the NHL asks the PA to draft a formal proposal with no intent on at least giving it some consideration (more than a 15 minute glance).

So, based on these developments, maybe cooler heads have prevailed and we may actually see NHL hockey this season. At least, that's what I'm hoping for.

Just as I thought, ghost town.

Just as I thought, ghost town.
- gravey914

Im with ya bud. Im still here from time to time. Tomorrow is a big deal, if the PA tables an offer the nhl can work with maybe we'll see hockey by early january. If it goes south tomorrow, the season is in effect, over. Keeping my fingers crossed for some good news in the AM

Im with ya bud. Im still here from time to time. Tomorrow is a big deal, if the PA tables an offer the nhl can work with maybe we'll see hockey by early january. If it goes south tomorrow, the season is in effect, over. Keeping my fingers crossed for some good news in the AM
- TrueBlue9182

hey fellas, I am still around.

There really isn't much more anybody can say

it's as bad as it gets, and from a Ranger stand point, it is the worst possible scenario.

I think right now it's more possible than not that the season will ultimately be canceled, in the year where the Rangers probably were the best team in the league.

think about it, if the season is canceled we lose out on the year Henrik turns from 30-31 years old.

Brad Richards turns from 32-33 years old.

Gaborik turns 30-31.

Nash 28-29.

These are prime years for these guys that they will never get back.

It's just a fuggin nightmare no matter how you cut it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

hey fellas, I am still around.

There really isn't much more anybody can say

it's as bad as it gets, and from a Ranger stand point, it is the worst possible scenario.

I think right now it's more possible than not that the season will ultimately be canceled, in the year where the Rangers probably were the best team in the league.

think about it, if the season is canceled we lose out on the year Henrik turns from 30-31 years old.

Brad Richards turns from 32-33 years old.

Gaborik turns 30-31.

Nash 28-29.

These are prime years for these guys that they will never get back.

It's just a fuggin nightmare no matter how you cut it.

Happy Thanksgiving!
- jimbro83

It truly is a nightmare. Given Bettman and Fehr's track record I knew it was going to be a difficult deal to make. But to lose another full season? That's just beyond anything that makes sense for either side.

Happy Thanksgiving all.

It truly is a nightmare. Given Bettman and Fehr's track record I knew it was going to be a difficult deal to make. But to lose another full season? That's just beyond anything that makes sense for either side.

Happy Thanksgiving all.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

The whole situation is just terrible. But, I'd rather not dwell on the negatives, so I try to keep an optimistic outlook. These are dark times, but maybe, just maybe the two sides can find some common ground and begin the real negotiations. As mad as I am about this whole thing, I love the sport too much to turn my back. I know I don't post here all that often, but I check in almost every day. You guys know your stuff, so I enjoy reading your opinions on all matters hockey. I hate seeing the board like this, so I hope for all our sakes, these negotiations sort out soon.

Happy Thanksgiving guys!

The whole situation is just terrible. But, I'd rather not dwell on the negatives, so I try to keep an optimistic outlook. These are dark times, but maybe, just maybe the two sides can find some common ground and begin the real negotiations. As mad as I am about this whole thing, I love the sport too much to turn my back. I know I don't post here all that often, but I check in almost every day. You guys know your stuff, so I enjoy reading your opinions on all matters hockey. I hate seeing the board like this, so I hope for all our sakes, these negotiations sort out soon.

Happy Thanksgiving guys!
- gravey914

Well said. 100% agree

And here is a small bit if good news... Happy turkey day everyone!


(@benhankinson)
11/21/12, 9:48
Ryan McDonagh back from Barys Astana #KHL w no serious injuries- minor bumps/bruises. Astana gr8 spot & thankful 4 chance play @ high level.

Is the NHLPA really backing off guaranteed contracts?!

Read the guarantee $ thing wrong.

Well said. 100% agree

And here is a small bit if good news... Happy turkey day everyone!


(@benhankinson)
11/21/12, 9:48
Ryan McDonagh back from Barys Astana #KHL w no serious injuries- minor bumps/bruises. Astana gr8 spot & thankful 4 chance play @ high level.
- TrueBlue9182

This is another thing that leads me to believe the sides may be close to an agreement. When the sides were far apart, we didn't see many players return home from overseas to nurse injuries. For example, I'm pretty sure Nash stayed over there with his shoulder injury. Now, both Hags and McD have been released from their respective teams while they came home to rehab. From what I've heard neither of their injuries were particularly serious, so it's strange they would come home. Perhaps they've heard something regarding negotiations to convince them to come home (and prepare for a season)?

And there goes the season.

And there goes the season.
- mrhattrick27

I'm not giving up on a season just yet. It won't start anytime soon, but there's still a chance we get one. Denial is a beautiful thing.

And there goes the season.
- mrhattrick27

Good, i hope the owners and the players choke to death on their own greed.

Good, i hope the owners and the players choke to death on their own greed.
- ShootingSemin

Let's face it, this is not really our fight. We all know Dolan wants this lockout about as much as he wants he have dinner with Gary Bettman. As Brooksie writes this morning, the moderates need to step up and send a clear message to Bettman and that slob Jacobs to make a deal and save the sport, before it's too late. Well, I can dream can't I.

I was so starved for live hockey, I went to the Cornell/Michigan game at the garden last night. It was a good game, although Cornell clearly outplayed them. My other reason for going was to see the new upper bowl restoration of the garden, figuring it was going to be my only chance to see the joint this year. I have to say, I was very impressed with the job they have done. They have improved the sight lines where possible, and get this, the 1st row of seats have their own HD monitor. I found it a bit disconcerting, but it's great for replays. Speaking of the broadcast, the new play-by-play booth (area) is now located in the first row of the upper level at center ice. The concourse is at least twice the size than in the past and there are numerous bathrooms. Of course, many of the concesstions stands weren't ready yet, but when completed will be very nice. Lastly, the have changed the on ice lighting, it has that bright touch of ble light that I have seen at both the Bell Center and TD Garden. It's much better and gives the place a whole new look. All in all, it was a good experience, although I was a bit sad that my Rangers weren't there.

I wrote a little something to keep us entertained.'
http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...er_id=65941&post_id=14236

I wrote a little something to keep us entertained.'
http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...er_id=65941&post_id=14236
- gkmkiller

New blog, Mediation the word of the day