Eklund: Players Ratify the CBA and RTP, Two Opt Out, Stamkos Hurt, more

Getting closer to becoming a reality.

Chris Therien has the schedule on his Twitter feed... been there for more than an hour now.

Eighty per cent ratifacation is significant. The fact it's two Canadian cities has much to do with it. Our American neighbours are now realizing the virus is not a bipartisan issue. The sooner the US gets a handle on things, the better off we will all be. Wearing a mask and managing your socializing is not that big a deal.

Good. It means no interruptions for the next 6 years besides the Kung flu ha ha

FFS Stamkos.

I wonder if players will opt out if more people in the bubble test positive. When your a millionaire why risk your own or your loved ones lives to play a game in a potentially dangerous situation?

Eighty per cent ratifacation is significant. The fact it's two Canadian cities has much to do with it. Our American neighbours are now realizing the virus is not a bipartisan issue. The sooner the US gets a handle on things, the better off we will all be. Wearing a mask and managing your socializing is not that big a deal.
- Hardbalz

Clearly you have never been to the southern part of the US

Eighty per cent ratifacation is significant. The fact it's two Canadian cities has much to do with it. Our American neighbours are now realizing the virus is not a bipartisan issue. The sooner the US gets a handle on things, the better off we will all be. Wearing a mask and managing your socializing is not that big a deal.
- Hardbalz

We are very far from "realizing" it.

There are a lot of dudes who have seen their importance in society ebb, in absolute terms and relative to their familial pasts.

All of the world is against them - the scientists, the doctors who talk about vaccines, climate changers, the top brass in the armed forces (who have spoken out more in the last year than the sum of post WW2 history in the USA), the financial elite, the Federal Reserve, the tech elite, the Europeans, the Asians, the blacks, the Mexicans, the liberals, the big names of traditional media, the globalizers, the conservative intellectuals (RINOs), the Muslims, the bureaucracy (deep state), the FBI/CIA, our top notch universities, the corporate elite.

There is not a single institution they like, except the Police. But that is not directly - it is by default - because activists /liberals want to reform it and because it is a symbol, like the flag (its not an institution - it's a token).

A cottage industry has sprung up monetizing their stupidity, their discontentment, their raging resentment at the first two and their search for scapegoats. There is a lot of money to be made of them.

These forces are not going anywhere. As predicted, death rates are rising again in many parts, while national hospitalization rates are already up overall.

In two months time, when fall is almost here and the flu picks up again, it will be carnage versus the prudence of decency, with the former correlated with the electoral prospects of a politician.

And if you believe that this person would favor the latter, you have not paid attention to his well documented life, or the temperament of such people throughout history. The carnage will be fake news.

We are very far from "realizing" it.

There are a lot of dudes who have seen their importance in society ebb, in absolute terms and relative to their familial pasts.

All of the world is against them - the scientists, the doctors who talk about vaccines, climate changers, the top brass in the armed forces (who have spoken out more in the last year than the sum of post WW2 history in the USA), the financial elite, the Federal Reserve, the tech elite, the Europeans, the Asians, the blacks, the Mexicans, the liberals, the big names of traditional media, the globalizers, the conservative intellectuals (RINOs), the Muslims, the bureaucracy (deep state), the FBI/CIA, our top notch universities, the corporate elite.

There is not a single institution they like, except the Police. But that is not directly - it is by default - because activists /liberals want to reform it and because it is a symbol, like the flag (its not an institution - it's a token).

A cottage industry has sprung up monetizing their stupidity, their discontentment, their raging resentment at the first two and their search for scapegoats. There is a lot of money to be made of them.

These forces are not going anywhere. As predicted, death rates are rising again in many parts, while national hospitalization rates are already up overall.

In two months time, when fall is almost here and the flu picks up again, it will be carnage versus the prudence of decency, with the former correlated with the electoral prospects of a politician.

And if you believe that this person would favor the latter, you have not paid attention to his well documented life, or the temperament of such people throughout history. The carnage will be fake news.
- PT21

This guy gets it.

We are very far from "realizing" it.

Yep. Spot on. Hopeless is the word cuz freedumb!

A cottage industry has sprung up monetizing their stupidity, their discontentment, their raging resentment at the first two and their search for scapegoats. There is a lot of money to be made of them.

Oh, capitalism, you silly goose.

I was concerned about another stoppage with the CBA. Glad it was handled.

I am psyched for the start of the playoffs.

Ek, I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE NO FANS IN THE STANDS for the games. Why the he-double L would they put Edmonton and Toronto in their home rinks. Players have a level of comfort at their rinks, have a level of comfort in their home city regardless where they sleep. They know the boards better. Used to the ice surface. These are significant advantages that would be easily flipped by trading venues.

I have heard all the excuses why this is stupid to complain about, and the worst one is time zones. Who cares what playing at an ungodly hour does to the fan base, as a Pens fan...I will be up and watching and likely watching more because of the number of games per day.

Why would they allow for this when a simple switch can be made.

I was concerned about another stoppage with the CBA. Glad it was handled.

I am psyched for the start of the playoffs.

Ek, I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE NO FANS IN THE STANDS for the games. Why the he-double L would they put Edmonton and Toronto in their home rinks. Players have a level of comfort at their rinks, have a level of comfort in their home city regardless where they sleep. They know the boards better. Used to the ice surface. These are significant advantages that would be easily flipped by trading venues.

I have heard all the excuses why this is stupid to complain about, and the worst one is time zones. Who cares what playing at an ungodly hour does to the fan base, as a Pens fan...I will be up and watching and likely watching more because of the number of games per day.

Why would they allow for this when a simple switch can be made.
- Doogs

First, as a smart ass, I'd say that the league figures there will only be that situation of home ice for the first 3 games. Won't matter in round 2.
Second, they won't be in the home locker rooms all the time. The teams will learn the bounces together, as that can change a bit if sections are moved and reinstalled. They all will be in bubble hotels so it will be like road games for everyone.

First, as a smart ass, I'd say that the league figures there will only be that situation of home ice for the first 3 games. Won't matter in round 2.
Second, they won't be in the home locker rooms all the time. The teams will learn the bounces together, as that can change a bit if sections are moved and reinstalled. They all will be in bubble hotels so it will be like road games for everyone.
- jaws1955

Hahaha, you became very popular with that one.

I get what you are saying, but in a tourney that is already not normal, to give ANY team an edge is silly.

If only there were another major Canadian hockey city without a professional team...

Hahaha, you became very popular with that one.

I get what you are saying, but in a tourney that is already not normal, to give ANY team an edge is silly.
- Doogs

Even if they flip east and west to start the tourney, the conference finals and the SCF are all going to be played in Edmonton, so the Oilers would be home for all of the finals and conference finals if they advance.

If only there were another major Canadian hockey city without a professional team...
- BroadStParade

Never going to hold it in a non NHL city. That's a lot of revenue going into the host cities. It's going to a city with a team.
Btw, it's not just the rise in covid in the US that's DRIVING the all Canada situation. The border is still closed. It could get sticky moving players around.

Even if they flip east and west to start the tourney, the conference finals and the SCF are all going to be played in Edmonton, so the Oilers would be home for all of the finals and conference finals if they advance.
- jaws1955

That is assuming they make it.

I was concerned about another stoppage with the CBA. Glad it was handled.

I am psyched for the start of the playoffs.

Ek, I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE NO FANS IN THE STANDS for the games. Why the he-double L would they put Edmonton and Toronto in their home rinks. Players have a level of comfort at their rinks, have a level of comfort in their home city regardless where they sleep. They know the boards better. Used to the ice surface. These are significant advantages that would be easily flipped by trading venues.

I have heard all the excuses why this is stupid to complain about, and the worst one is time zones. Who cares what playing at an ungodly hour does to the fan base, as a Pens fan...I will be up and watching and likely watching more because of the number of games per day.

Why would they allow for this when a simple switch can be made.
- Doogs

Have you thought about the effect on the players if they flipped? For the 12 PM game starting in TOR, it would be 9 in the morning Vegas time for the Knights. For the last game in EDM, it will be 10:30 PM for your Pens start time. I suspect the players would rather start at a conventional time and concede some ice-knowledge to just 1 opponent in their conference than those weird time.

Also, teams will surely get some of their training camp time at the arenas. They will learn some about how puck comes off boards etc.

But really, its about viewership, which is what is driving the entire return to play dynamic. How many people can start watching their team at 9 in the morning or 10.30 at night? You will, but for those working, it would be very difficult.

Anybody know if there will be cameras or any reporting from training camps? I kind of doubt it but it would be good to know what’s going on.

If only there were another major Canadian hockey city without a professional team...
- BroadStParade

There is, Ottawa.

There is, Ottawa.
- bobbyisno1

Kbeck

Anybody know if there will be cameras or any reporting from training camps? I kind of doubt it but it would be good to know what’s going on.
- Canada Cup

Are we sure Toronto is even fit to be a hub city, there was 6 shootings in 12 hours. Including a drive by yesterday that injured 5. Hopefully there is protocols in place to make sure the players are safe

Kbeck
- BluesDroogie

I'm guessing you've never been. Quebec is in no way set up to be able to quarantine 12 NHL teams.

is stamkos ever not hurt now