Hockey News

From a reliable source who has reliable sources in the NHL world:

Bob Goodenow may be on his way out as the players' representative.

Trevor Linden and Ted Saskin are not only working with Bill Daly from the NHL, but Gary Bettman has been brought directly into the discussion as well and they are collectively working on a new agreement that begins with an immediate salary rollback (as previously offered at 24%) and would grandfather a cap system into the NHL over the next few (4?) years.

Nothing on the major news sources yet, but he's a couple of links to keep checking.
Sportsnet.ca
TSN

UPDATE: Hockey Rumors has some stuff on it too.

Read the comments, one reader said that Fan590 in Toronto has the 24% rollback, a 50$ million cap, and a salary tax on payrolls over 40$, but under 50$.

UPDATE UPDATE: I got confirmation from my side on that last news from Toronto, but it's probably just two different people hearing the same original source. Almost 6:00pm EST now, looking to see if anything hits the major sports news shows.

UPDATE: From the HockeyRumors sponsored chat:

*A deal in principle may be announced soon with details worked out later.

*NBC has been very involved

*Lemieux has also been influential as well

FINAL UPDATE TODAY: So it sounds as though we won't hear anything today. ESPN and TSN are reporting that the two sides will meet again either on Thursday or Friday of this week. While I am still skeptical, Hockey Rumors and my source are reporting such similar things that there may just be some truth to it. Hopefully, we'll find out tomorrow. I hate wait.

Also, from Sportsnet:

Sources tell Sportsnet it is expected the NHL and NHLPA will meet again Thursday, with potentially a change of city. Speculation suggests the two sides will meet in New York, however a source inside the discussion says the league has some work to do "internally" before committing to the next meeting.

That last line says to me they need to have the night to sleep on it. And the importance of the possibility of them meeting in New York should not be overlooked either.

THURSDAY UPDATE:

EJ Hradek, who has had a skeptical outlook on this whole situation for quite some time, was on Cold Pizza Thursday morning. He had two quotes that I specifically noted:

"Something happened in that meeting that changed the course"

"I have a feeling we may just get a deal here"

MORE FROM THURSDAY:

Hockey Rumors has this from his source:

"This will absolutely be over by Saturday. Posturing is over. These talks are the final talks. We will know where we are in the next few days. I am convinced this new proposal is a result of what both sides have been working on. There is immense pressure coming from the big teams. The players are going to have a hard time turning down this offer. Word is they already know what it basically is and are holding a vote on their website as we speak. I would be stunned if the season was cancelled. It won't go past the week-end. Not a chance"

- posted by jrf @ 1/26/2005 04:35:00 PM