Adam Proteau's Column

David Branch continues progressive approach against fighting

David Branch continues progressive approach against fighting

by Adam Proteau - September 20, 2012 2:31 PM EDT

The recent actions of the OHL commissioner to suspend fighters shows this aspect of the game is headed in one direction.
With this week’s announcement of new rules to curb gratuitous fighting in the Ontario League, commissioner David Branch has again shown himself to be one of the game’s most progressive forces.


GMs smart to sign players under new CBA

GMs smart to sign players under new CBA

by Adam Proteau - September 13, 2012 1:50 PM EDT

While some RFAs have signed long-term deals recently, team managers might be better off to wait for a new agreement to do business.
The angst-riddled cries have grown louder and louder and have come from all over the hockey map as we’ve gotten closer to the expiry of the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement.


No room for Alan Eagleson at Summit Series celebrations

No room for Alan Eagleson at Summit Series celebrations

by Adam Proteau - September 6, 2012 2:50 PM EDT

The disgraced former NHLPA executive director still has his supporters, but the harm he had on the game is too much to forget.
When you hear Bobby Clarke passionately defend the outcast Alan Eagleson on the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series both played major roles in, you almost feel sorry for hockey’s biggest Benedict Arnold.


Total parity not the best solution for NHL

Total parity not the best solution for NHL

by Adam Proteau - August 31, 2012 2:30 PM EDT

While the NHL pushes for more parity across the board, teams in powerful markets should be able to throw some of that weight around.
NHL team owners have a number of targets in the collective bargaining negotiations. As we’re all already painfully aware, first and foremost among them is their goal to pay less of the league’s revenues to players.


CHLPA a long time coming for junior players

CHLPA a long time coming for junior players

by Adam Proteau - August 23, 2012 2:53 PM EDT

If the CHLPA officially forms, it would greatly benefit players who are underpaid for their contributions.
If owners of Canada’s major junior teams are being honest with themselves, they ought to be happy they’ve enjoyed an incredibly successful financial run without the nuisance of player unions or inconvenient questions about the divvying up of their considerable revenues.


Players playing nice in CBA talks

Players playing nice in CBA talks

by Adam Proteau - August 15, 2012 12:18 PM EDT

The NHLPA isn't sticking to its guns this time around, but instead is trying to help the owners not shoot themselves in the foot again.
Remember when some people portrayed NHLPA executive Don Fehr as professional hockey’s newest boogeyman, as an ogre who valued profit above oxygen and the love of close friends and family? Those folks ought to be hanging their heads in shame after the players union’s first collective bargaining proposal to NHL owners Tuesday.


Second Toronto team should motivate Maple Leafs

Second Toronto team should motivate Maple Leafs

by Adam Proteau - August 9, 2012 1:31 PM EDT

If Markham gets an NHL team in the next few years, it would provide a little close competition for the Leafs.
Perhaps the most famous part of Jurassic Park is the scene in which a glass of water faintly ripples before a rampaging dinosaur threatens the well-being of the helpless humans.


Recalling the Easter Epic 25 years on

Recalling the Easter Epic 25 years on

by Adam Proteau - August 2, 2012 10:40 AM EDT

Players and announcers discuss the longest Game 7 in NHL history, played between the Islanders and Capitals on April 18-19, 1987.
On April 18-19, 1987 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Md., the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders played the longest Game 7 in NHL history.


Disappointment looms in Denver

Disappointment looms in Denver

by Adam Proteau - July 26, 2012 10:10 AM EDT

Instead of an Avalanche of reinforcements to improve a non-playoff team Colorado got a light flurry of help.
Not long ago the Colorado Avalanche were a prime destination for elite NHL players. The franchise was known for augmenting its already strong lineup by trading for stars such as Ray Bourque, Rob Blake and Theo Fleury or signing marquee free agents like Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya (the original, more accomplished version of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter).


Shea Weber contract magnifies disparity in NHL markets

Shea Weber contract magnifies disparity in NHL markets

by Adam Proteau - July 19, 2012 3:00 PM EDT

The Flyers' aggressive pursuit of Shea Weber flies in the face of the new CBA demands the owners are currently trying to negotiate.
In one sense, the Philadelphia Flyers did the Nashville Predators a favor by signing superstar defenseman Shea Weber to a mammoth restricted free agent offer sheet.


More to CBA negotiations than money

More to CBA negotiations than money

by Adam Proteau - July 12, 2012 2:15 PM EDT

The trust, or mistrust, between the NHL and NHLPA will greatly impact the ongoing negotiations.
“Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's out.” – Martin Scorsese, legendary film director Framing matters, regardless of the situation or your station in life.


Art imitates life with real 'Goon'

Art imitates life with real 'Goon'

by Adam Proteau - July 8, 2012 9:50 AM EDT

Doug Smith is just like his big-screen counterpart: humble and thankful for the opportunity hockey gave him.
There are few professional hockey players who learned to skate on a pond at age 19. Even fewer of those late developers went on to become feared enforcers and win a championship at the pro level.


How many more overtime periods will be played in the Stanley Cup final?






"If we do pick first, we're leaning more toward one of those three forwards."

- Colorado's executive vice president of hockey operations, Joe Sakic, on what the Avalanche plan to do with the first overall pick at the June 30 entry draft. Many were expecting Colorado to take defenseman Seth Jones.
 

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