Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Hockey Fix

Working late/early, impressed.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Hockey Fix
- bmeltzer

Bill, Ek has post several things on twitter and on here about the NHL and NHLPA meeting today....

Why do I not see anyone else saying this?

Is it true or just false hope??

You seem to be the only person that says it how it is... So I thought I would ask you

Thank you for all the hard work Bill

Bill, Ek has post several things on twitter and on here about the NHL and NHLPA meeting today....

Why do I not see anyone else saying this?

Is it true or just false hope??

You seem to be the only person that says it how it is... So I thought I would ask you

Thank you for all the hard work Bill


- Flyers_1488

Ek legitimately has connections with at least two NHL owners and several GMs. I can say that for a fact because I've witnessed them at games come over to greet him and chat for awhile. Saw the same thing after the Winter Classic press conference at Citizens Bank Park, where Gary Bettman personally greeted Ek.

So for the all the ridicule he gets, all the people who say he either "makes things up" or grabs it off TSN, Ek really does independently obtain inside info.
The trade/signing rumor stuff is a different animal, and I personally don't put much stock in rumors -- regardless of the source, but especially those that agents put out. I wait for something actually to happen. There is just too much deliberate misinformation, half-truth, hearsay and "drumming up interest" info put out there.

I have zero doubt someone close to the negotiations told him the two sides expect to meet today. However, I don't know if the NHL and the PA will meet today. But Ek is sticking his neck out in saying there will be. I hope he's right.

Ek has to read tea leaves a lot. Sometimes he reads them right but he gets things wrong, too. Nature of the beast. I will say that he's such an optimist by nature -- almost incurably so -- that he always takes the most positive possible spin even on bad news or no news.

Everything is always headed in the right direction, everything will happen very soon. What I've learned from my own experience is that until there an actual commitment made -- be it a completed trade, CBA, player contract, etc -- there is really nothing. Things have a way of dragging on and on and on until there is a true deadline to be met. Until then, it's all just so much noise.

Make sense?

Ek legitimately has connections with at least two NHL owners and several GMs. I can say that for a fact because I've witnessed them at games come over to greet him and chat for awhile. Saw the same thing after the Winter Classic press conference at Citizens Bank Park, where Gary Bettman personally greeted Ek.

So for the all the ridicule he gets, all the people who say he either "makes things up" or grabs it off TSN, Ek really does independently obtain inside info.
The trade/signing rumor stuff is a different animal, and I personally don't put much stock in rumors -- regardless of the source, but especially those that agents put out. I wait for something actually to happen. There is just too much deliberate misinformation, half-truth, hearsay and "drumming up interest" info put out there.

I have zero doubt someone close to the negotiations told him the two sides expect to meet today. However, I don't know if the NHL and the PA will meet today. But Ek is sticking his neck out in saying there will be. I hope he's right.

Ek has to read tea leaves a lot. Sometimes he reads them right but he gets things wrong, too. Nature of the beast. I will say that he's such an optimist by nature -- almost incurably so -- that he always takes the most positive possible spin even on bad news or no news.

Everything is always headed in the right direction, everything will happen very soon. What I've learned from my own experience is that until there an actual commitment made -- be it a completed trade, CBA, player contract, etc -- there is really nothing. Things have a way of dragging on and on and on until there is a true deadline to be met. Until then, it's all just so much noise.

Make sense?
- bmeltzer

Yes, Thats makes perfect sense....

Thank you for the info and to be honest that makes me feel alittle better about how things are going on this site and whats happening with in the NHL and NHLPA

Ek legitimately has connections with at least two NHL owners and several GMs. I can say that for a fact because I've witnessed them at games come over to greet him and chat for awhile. Saw the same thing after the Winter Classic press conference at Citizens Bank Park, where Gary Bettman personally greeted Ek.

So for the all the ridicule he gets, all the people who say he either "makes things up" or grabs it off TSN, Ek really does independently obtain inside info.
The trade/signing rumor stuff is a different animal, and I personally don't put much stock in rumors -- regardless of the source, but especially those that agents put out. I wait for something actually to happen. There is just too much deliberate misinformation, half-truth, hearsay and "drumming up interest" info put out there.

I have zero doubt someone close to the negotiations told him the two sides expect to meet today. However, I don't know if the NHL and the PA will meet today. But Ek is sticking his neck out in saying there will be. I hope he's right.

Ek has to read tea leaves a lot. Sometimes he reads them right but he gets things wrong, too. Nature of the beast. I will say that he's such an optimist by nature -- almost incurably so -- that he always takes the most positive possible spin even on bad news or no news.

Everything is always headed in the right direction, everything will happen very soon. What I've learned from my own experience is that until there an actual commitment made -- be it a completed trade, CBA, player contract, etc -- there is really nothing. Things have a way of dragging on and on and on until there is a true deadline to be met. Until then, it's all just so much noise.

Make sense?
- bmeltzer

Thanks, Bill. He always has the straight dope. I want to belive all of EK's optimism but always rely on Bill for the nuts and bolts real deal. In any event, all skeptics aside. Here is to a happy new year and for a new CBA in '13!!

well TSN now has it.. . . http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=412368

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
In the interest of accuracy, @Eklund was first to report the NHL offer to NHLPA.

Figured this was relevant to the conversation thus far

until I see a report that a contract has been signed, I'm not paying any attention to it.

Anyone watching USA/Russia?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Hockey Fix
- bmeltzer

Per my source Gary Bettman phoned Fehr and said lets meet Friday morning. Fehr responded by saying lets meet Friday afternoon and at that point talks have broken down again.....



I ain't getten my hopes up dis time yo!!

power play USA! 1:30 to go

Update to today's blog: http://Flyers.NHL.com is now streaming all Phantoms home games for free.

Update to today's blog: http://Flyers.NHL.com is now streaming all Phantoms home games for free.
- bmeltzer

Nice

OHL allowing free streaming of games tonight and tomorrow.

http://bit.ly/TnyDxw

OHL allowing free streaming of games tonight and tomorrow.

http://bit.ly/TnyDxw
- ob18

Nice
- Flyers_1488

Unfortunately, tonight won't be one of the games. Apparently it's still in the works for upcoming home games.

Also WHL is allowing free streaming of games tonight and tomorrow.

http://whl.neulion.com/whl/

On my way home I was just listening to WIP(I know, that's my first problem) and this caller gives this heartfelt "I cant wait for hockey to be back. I miss it so much" call in. And then at the very end sneaks in "hopefully they can get that onetime buy out in too so we can get rid of that russian goaltender."

I swear some of the fans in this city are as dumb as they come.

On my way home I was just listening to WIP(I know, that's my first problem) and this caller gives this heartfelt "I cant wait for hockey to be back. I miss it so much" call in. And then at the very end sneaks in "hopefully they can get that onetime buy out in too so we can get rid of that russian goaltender."

I swear some of the fans in this city are as dumb as they come.
- hereticpride

Silly fan doesn't remember we already traded away Bob.

If this deal were to go through which contract due the Flyers dump?

Bryz, Pronger, Briere?

If this deal were to go through which contract due the Flyers dump?

Bryz, Pronger, Briere?
- jstross

If by deal you mean, buyout, I'd say it's Pronger because he's dead weight at this point.

If this deal were to go through which contract due the Flyers dump?

Bryz, Pronger, Briere?
- jstross

Really? Is there really even any question? Pronger.

If this deal were to go through which contract due the Flyers dump?

Bryz, Pronger, Briere?
- jstross

If they even thought buyouts were going to be part of the CBA they wouldn't have moved BOB.............Bryz probably unless he has a terrible year won't be that player.

Silly fan doesn't remember we already traded away Bob.


- Flyskippy

omg I missed this when I was here a couple hours ago

If they even thought buyouts were going to be part of the CBA they wouldn't have moved BOB.............Bryz probably unless he has a terrible year won't be that player.
- ob18

I stopped paying attention to the specifics about a month ago due to utter disgust but isn't the hold up due to salary reductions? SO wouldn't that in effect make Bryzgalov's contract actually reasonable?