NHL Lockout 9/28/12

Well, another week has gone by, and still, the NHL remains locked out. The NHL released a report this week on Thursday morning that the remainder of the NHL's preseason has been cancelled. This means that if the NHL and the NHLPA reaches a decision soon, the earliest that the NHL season would begin is by October 8th. But, there is good news out of this. The NHL and the NHLPA have decided to continue negotiations. While both sides are still far away from reaching any agreements, this is a step in the right direction. Hopefully they can create a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and end the Lockout.

While things continue in the United States, Evgeni Malkin continues his career in the KHL. Right now, he has one goal and four assists in three games, which is outstanding.

While the NHL remains the dominant hockey league, they are not in charge of everything hockey. In fact, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is in charge of everything hockey. This week, in Tokyo, the IIHF held their elections for offices. Returning as President of the IIHF is René Fasel. He will remain in office until 2016. The IIHF make executive decisions about the rules of the sport, and also hold tournaments in Europe every year for countries to compete in.

That is it for this week. Enjoy your weekend, and check back next week for more hockey news. 

NHL Lockout Update 9/24

Well, another weekend passes, and still the lockout has yet to be resolved by the NHL. Both sides are still standing by what they want, and not much progress has been made to reach a solution. While talks continue between the NHL and the NHLPA, it sure seems like this might take a while to resolve the lockout.
All I have been able to think about today is that the Penguins would have their first preseason game scheduled for this evening against the Columbus Blue Jackets. But, as we all know, there will be no hockey until October 3rd at the earliest for the Penguins, when they are scheduled to play the Detroit Red Wings. But, experts expect this lockout to continue well throughout the fall, and could even lead to a cancellation of the season. I typically like to be optimistic in bad situations, but I still have trouble seeing "the light at the end of the tunnel" in this debate. But, all we can do is wait, and hope for the best for this lockout end before they are forced to cancel the season.

While things in the United States continue to happen, Evgeni Malkin is continuing his career in the KHL. In fact, his game is about to wrap up right now. Unfortunately, there is no access to a live stream of the game, so we will have to wait until later to see how well he did today.
For full lockout and Evgeni Malkin updates, checkout http://www.thepensblog.com/. These guys are professional bloggers who update several times a day about the Penguins.
Thanks for checking in, and check back next time for another update. Lets all hope for the best!

NHL Lockout Update September 20th

 

Well, day 5 of the NHL Lockout continues, and the NHL has made some radical moves. The NHL announced yesterday that the Preseason schedule through September 30th has been cancelled. In addition, the 2012 Kraft Hockeyville preseason game, scheduled for Oct. 3 in Belleville, Ontario, has been postponed to 2013. This cancellation is in relation to the absence of the Collective Bargaining Agreement which has led to the lockout.

Because of this lockout, many players are beginning to play in other hockey leagues such as the KHL (the Russian Hockey League). Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin signed with Mettalurg along with ex-Penguin Sergei Gonchar. In Evgeni's KHL debut, Evgeni got two assists, including a tying goal to send the game into overtime with seconds left in the third period. Despite losing in overtime, Evgeni went +1 and had two total points.

Other players, such as half of the Edmonton Oilers team, have joined the American Hockey League. Other younger players, such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have joined the Junior Hockey League. This just shows how the professionals are trying to keep in shape while this lockout ensues.

Hopefully within the next week or so we will be back to some NHL action that the world can enjoy! See you next week!   

Lockout Update September 18th

Well, the time has come. The NHL owners have locked out the players. We all have been hoping that this time would not come, but it is upon us. What really makes me angry when it comes to this lockout is that the NHLPA and the NHL consistently say that it is all about the fans. Well, let me break some bad news on you: IT IS NOT ABOUT US!!! That is right! This whole lockout is about the one and only thing that matters in this world: the almighty dollar. Many people blame the owners for being so selfish in wanting to give pay cuts to the players in a time of prosperity for the NHL. In fact, the NHL is more popular now than it ever has been. But what people fail to realize is that both sides are to blame. The players are demanding too much from their owners while the owners are demanding too much from their players. This all needs to stop before it is too late. Winter already goes slow enough! Taking away hockey, well, time will stand still!
Well there is little other news, other than the NHL releasing the top 10 greatest play makers in NHL history. While we all saw Wayne Gretzky coming in first place, a shocking upset as Bobby Orr and Adam Oates place 2nd and 3rd respectively. Next is Mario Lemieux at 4th and Sidney Crosby at 5th. Not bad to have two Penguins in the top 5.]
Finally, we go to international hockey news, where the KHL (Russian Hockey League) hosted an outdoor hockey game inside of a 2000 year old Gladiator arena. Yes, an ancient Roman Gladiator arena. Tickets were priced at about 500,000 euro.  Below are pictures of the ice surface.

Check back later this week for an update. Until then, hopefully some greedy people can get their act together and end this lockout! 

Pittsburgh Penguins Update 9/11/12

Well, there is still no end to the NHL's near lockout here in the States. But, as some of the players have put it: at least there is video game hockey! That is right! NHL 13 comes out today. For only $60 you can purchase this game that will help you get through the upcoming lockout. But have no fear. Hopefully the lockout will end shortly, and the players will get back to what they do best at: PLAYING!
This week, NHL preseason tickets went on sale. The Penguins will be playing the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks at home for the NHL preseason. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.
In addition to this, Penguins forward Craig Adams participated in the Walk to Defeat ALS at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, raising funds in the drive to find a cure for this disease. Also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neuromuscular disease that dissolves the body's ability walk and speak. After diagnosis, the typical life expectancy of a patient is only two to five years. Adams' father is currently battling this disease. Donations online have exceeded $3,300, with many amounts being $27, in honor of Craig Adams' sweater number.
“Too bad I didn’t have a higher number,” Adams said with a smile. “Even small amounts help and you’re talking about this walk and then nationwide as well, so we’re really raising a lot of money.”
Finally, forward Joe Vitale had his high school hockey jersey #16 retired from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis.
“It took a while for it to kind of sink in,” Vitale said of getting the news that his jersey would be retired. “At first I was like oh, that’s cool. Then I got some calls from people and they told me that it was a big deal. Then when I went there at halftime with the full crowd, it was a really nice ceremony and it kind of hit me then like ‘oh, this is really cool.’”
Vitale scored 172 points (61G-111A) in his four years at Christian Brothers College High School, was named MVP of the title game his junior year and was awarded team MVP honors his senior season. Vitale's impact on the school was great, with coaches telling about how he treated everyone the same, and was obviously brought up by good parents.
That is it for this week. Look forward to another post next week!

Penguins Off-Season Update 9/7/2012

Well, another week has gone by, and still no decisions have been made by the NHL and the NHLPA. Reports say that both sides are far apart from making a deal. Experts predict that the lockout will last weeks, even possibly longer than a month. We continue to hope that the hockey season will not be canceled.
In other news, Evgeni Malkin has made Penguins headlines this week. One year ago, on September 7th, a plane carrying coaches and players of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team in Malkin's home country of Russia crashed, killing all 44 on board.
“I knew a lot of guys who played in Russia for Lokomotiv,” said Malkin. “When I heard the news I can’t explain how I felt after. It’s tough to say what I felt. I wanted to help support their families.”
After the crash, the game the players were headed to had a dramatic change. The deceased player's and coach's names and pictures were put on boards and laid across the ice. The crowd and opposing team joined in for a memorial in honor of the deceased players, as seen in the picture below.

Evgeni Malkin held a benefit for the families of the victims last week. In addition to Malkin, several teammates, including Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby, attended the benefit in Pittsburgh.
“’Geno’ knew some guys and family members that were involved with that, so we’re aware of what he’s doing and we’re behind him 100 percent,” Crosby said. “That’s a great thing they’re doing. We were all pretty saddened by that.”
As shown in the ice sclupture above, the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team will never be forgotten.
That is it for this week. Keep your fingers crossed in hope of the lockout ending!