Note: We are at the conclusion of the second week of the Team Illegal Curve Beard growing competition as Ezra and Drew help support the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba in conjunction with the Festival du Voyageur in the 31st annual beard growing contest. Every Friday we will be giving readers an update on the beard progress and here is Ezzy and Drew’s growth from Week 1 to Week 2:
Note II: Don’t forget to tune into the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN Radio 1290 from noon to 3 pm on Saturday which will include a special appearance by yours truly. Guests: Shane Hnidy (TSN).
Jets & Affiliate news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Too much at stake to not reach deal says Hainsey. According to Darren Dreger (Among the changes in the new proposal, the NHL adjusted its max contract length from 5 to 6 yrs. Boosted the variance from 5% to 10%. TSN has posted further details here.) the NHL has made an offer on Thursday with some movement. What we need now is someone from both sides to drag Fehr and Bettman into a room and finish this thing off.
St. John’s IceCaps official site: IceCaps wrap up pre-Christmas slate. The Rock Report brings you up to speed on the latest happening with the Jets AHL affiliate. The IceCaps are back in action tonight against Hamilton, the team they played last Friday.
The Coloradoan: A holiday wish list for the Colorado Eagles. Here are three things Colorado will be looking for during the rest of the season.
CBA news:
ESPN: Highlights of NHL’s proposal. Now we will see what the NHLPA has to say. I still think they may try and wait and gain a few more concessions.
CBC: Red Wings, Leafs key to resolving lockout. Ron MacLean makes his argument for paying the talent.
Winnipeg Sun: NHL, NHLPA at edge of the cliff. At this point, with the season teetering on the brink, it seems like both sides have to pull their heads from the sand and take a look around. Both continue to take the fans for granted and while the impact will likely be negligible in Canada, in parts of the U.S. which can ill afford the apathy, I suspect we are about to see some big repercussions from this lockout.
Globe and Mail: Lockout remains at standstill as chance to save season slips away. Many seem resigned to watch both sides remain pat as they wait until the last possible second to get a deal done. While I enjoy a good procrastination, this has to be the last week of inactivity before the flurry of season saving activity I suspect we will see next week.
Globe and Mail: Fans unlikely to embrace the NHL as they did after the last lockout. Perhaps we here in Winnipeg live in a bubble but I just do not see any negative type reaction towards the Jets once this lockout gets resolved. Fans in Manitoba are just too happy to have NHL hockey back to hold a grudge. I also suspect that the other Canadian markets will also be quick to forget the lockout.
Globe and Mail: The NHL’s last big comeback. It appeared that all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place after the last lockout and many question whether this can happen again. Will lightning strike twice? As I suggested yesterday, perhaps they need to resolve the lockout first before we worry about the post-lockout reaction.
NHL news:
Globe and Mail: Not even U.S. green card can lure investors. So many jokes so little time. Just based on the team name (Coyotes) and the fact that this word is synonymous with smugglers and with the aim of this program being to get a VISA for cash, the joke really writes itself.
Globe and Mail: Today’s Oilers as seen through Paul Coffey’s eyes. Always interesting to hear the perspective of a former great. Especially when he discusses the team that he achieved so much of his success with.
CBC: Canada rebounds against defending Spengler Cup champs. Speaking of the Oilers, Edmonton’s goalie Devan Dubnyk backstopped the Canadian effort yesterday in the 5-0 rout of the defending champs.
World Juniors:
TSN: Down to 10 forwards, Canada rallies past Slovakia. Team Canada is not making it easy for itself with games like this.
Toronto Star: Pressure on Russia to win home tournament. There is always a high expectation when you are the host country. This is probably even more so right now as anyone who heads to Russia to play competitive hockey has to have thoughts about the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Globe and Mail: Middle of nowhere discovered in Ufa. Sounds a lot like Winnipeg, with the central location and the crazy drivers.
USA Today: USA routs Germany with balanced attack at WJC. The Jets Jacob Trouba looked very good defensively for the Americans. He added a nice goal and looked solid throughout the game.
TSN: Rising star MacKinnon adjusting to fourth-line role. It really is a testament to the dedication of the team concept to see players who are easily the top on their Jr. team adopting a role they are not used to being asked to play, in order for the team to achieve success.
