Note: As September rolls around and all this week we wanted to bring to your attention the Pass it Forward program which provides help to youth in Winnipeg who wish to play hockey but require aid in getting the necessary equipment. The program is in it’s 4th year, they have a brand new website, an active twitter feed @PassItForwardca, and they are giving away a team-signed picture of last season’s opening faceoff. Be sure to check it out.
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: European leagues beckon. You would have to think that the players with families will likely not bolt to Europe too quickly as they have kids in schools and it isn’t too easy to just pick up and move across the ocean. They may want to evaluate the status of negotiations for the next couple of weeks before heading over.
Winnipeg Free Press: True North stays true to employees. Jim Ludlow, president and CEO of True North, spoke to the Free Press on Monday on a variety of subjects from how True North will handle matters with its stakeholders while the league is dark.
Winnipeg Free Press: Frozen out by Canada’s One Per Cent. When Millionaires fight Billionaires, those not in either category tend to tune out any cries of poverty by either side and with good reason. The owners are a business and it is their responsibility to create a sustainable model. The players are a commodity that has a finite shelf but one that makes more in that period of time, than most of the 99% do in a lifetime.
Globe and Mail: Winnipeg business, psyche vulnerable. As I told Paul for the article, something nuclear would have to happen for this city to turn on the Jets. Even if a small minority revolt, they will quickly be replaced by the 1000s of fans who want to be part of the True North family.
Winnipeg Sun: Players on own for ice. For the ones who do not head to Europe, they will have to stick in the city and rent their own ice. Odd seeing the Jets on ice but not wearing Jets gear.
Winnipeg Sun: Jokinen staying put while Jets are locked out. As has been speculated, and voiced by Jokinen, the players view the true deadline as what will occur within the next month.
Winnipeg Sun: Ladd big fan of Kane, ‘hypocritical’ deal. Captain Ladd clearly is not happy with the way that owners are asking for players not to be able to sign contracts of 5+ years and then signing players to 5+ year contracts. He is not wrong about that.
Winnipeg Sun: Burmistrov planning to join IceCaps. One side benefit of this lockout is that a player like Burmistrov, who could have used some AHL seasoning before being thrust into an NHL role, will now have a chance to get that development opportunity.
CBA news:
Detroit Free Press: Veteran negotiator Donald Fehr keeps NHL players informed, updated. One of the biggest problems the last time around, and what led to the fracturing of the PA during the last lockout was the lack of information amongst the players. This time around that is certainly not the case.
TSN: In every proposal, NHLPA has given more. And in this negotiation, the players are going to have to give even more. Just the reality of the situation.
TSN: Daly frustrated by lack of progress in NHL labour talks. Bill Daly took to the airwaves yesterday to put forth the league’s position.
Winnipeg Free Press: Wild offer season ticket holders 10 percent interest. Something tells me that those who have the opportunity to make a 10% return on their investment with the Wild won’t be unhappy with a lengthy lockout.
Globe and Mail: Lockout deters deals for unrestricted NHL free agents. A number of players, including former Winnipeg Jet Kenndal McArdle are stuck in limbo, waiting for this to be resolved.
CBS Sports: Teemu Selanne rips Gary Bettman, owners in blog. Looks like the Finnish Flash is getting his 2 cents into the mix.
NHL news:
Globe and Mail: In the Summit Series, we won in spite of ourselves. The nationalism that was involved at the time took these games to an epic level that one cannot imagine in today’s game. For those unfamiliar with the Summit Series, you would be well advised to watch it.
Toronto Sun: Francois Allaire’s departure from Maple Leafs must hurt Brian Burke. The question is who will be the next coach for the Leafs? Looks like Rick St. Croix, longtime goalie coach of the Manitoba Moose and currently working with the St. John’s IceCaps is one of the frontrunners.
Edmonton Journal: ‘I’m focused on making this deal work,’ Katz says. Katz opened up to Staples and MacKinnon for an hour talking about what he needs to get this project done in downtown Edmonton.
CFL Report:
Illegal Procedure: Winnipeg Blue Bombers Papers. If you are a fan of CFL football, check out our other site, which gives you all the latest Bombers news. How can fans get excited about the upcoming game against the Ticats?
