NHL Back on Ice??? !!!
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Season saved Saturday?
February 18, 2005
The NHL season is expected to be "un-canceled" Saturday in New York.
A player close to the talks who asked to remain anonymous told The Hockey News the two sides have agreed to a deal in principle that features a $45-million salary cap. Asked if there was any way a deal won't get done, the player said,
"not that I can see. I couldn't possibly imagine the idea that somebody is going to try to make a name for themselves in the last minute here."
Following two days of media speculation that backroom talks between players and owners were taking place in an attempt to "un-cancel" the 2004-05 season, the NHL Players' Association issued a press release Friday night confirming it would be meeting with the league in New York on Saturday. If the two sides are as close as expected, an agreement in principle could be made public tomorrow.
As first reported by The Hockey News, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux are still believed to be major players in the process. Both are reported to be in New York taking part in the talks.
"I believe all (that) stuff is pretty accurate," said the player.
A second source confirmed Lemieux traveled to New York on Friday.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman cancelled the season Wednesday with the two sides seemingly within striking distance of a settlement. Though the components of their offers had some differences, the sides agreed on the basic premise of a salary cap with luxury taxes. The union was offering a $49-million cap and the league $42.5 million.
One NHL GM told The Hockey News Bettman’s decision to cancel the season had a lot to do with history repeating itself. In other words, if NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow thought he was going to maintain his reputation of being a successful deadline hunter, he was wrong.
Since the season was called off, there has been considerable movement among the players as well as agents and GMs to do whatever is necessary to get talks started again in an attempt to save the season.
Detroit captain Steve Yzerman told The Hockey News Thursday afternoon he believed the season could be saved.
“I don’t know if it’s necessarily tonight, tomorrow morning, Friday night or Saturday…I know the season has been cancelled, but it’s not too late to 'un-cancel' it.”
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Are us die hards going to get our 28 game [pointless] season saved? And a full 16 (win) game playoff to award the cup this year?
Now for all the casual and non-hockey fans...get your laughs in...then go watch all the other good sports.
But for the 7 of us fans in the US and the whole country of Canada (including beavers and caribou)....might there yet be salvation!
I've never lost hope...Go Wayne and Mario for brining this back!
(I blamed both sides for this clusterphuct in the first place)
A shortened season may bring some needed excitement for the playoffs, cuz it could be wide open and Any team has a shot at winning. It's like throwing all of the Premier league on the pitch at the same time and the last one standing wins. Gotta make it exciting somehow since it won't be quite right only playing 28 games.
/goes to pray
 God Bless the greatest trophy on earth.
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"I'd like to buy a techno song."
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... Apparently there was no deal in principle, nor thought that this season itself would be saved.
