Ken Campbell's Column

Analyzing the NHL's latest CBA offer

Analyzing the NHL's latest CBA offer

by Ken Campbell - October 17, 2012 2:55 PM EDT

Is the league's 50-50 offer all it's cracked up to be? Ken Campbell breaks down the good, bad and ugly.
Well, that was a rather impressive and speedy about-face by the NHL, wasn’t it? Just yesterday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the following words: “A lot of you know we don’t negotiate publicly, and I’m not going to break that habit because I don’t think it’s constructive.


NHL proposal provides optimism

NHL proposal provides optimism

by Ken Campbell - October 16, 2012 3:19 PM EDT

There's no guarantee a new CBA is imminent, but the league's 50-50 offer shows a willingness to negotiate and that's a huge step in the right direction.
The devil is most certainly in the details, but there is every reason to believe the bold and out-of-the blue proposal the NHL made to the Players' Association Tuesday morning can provide at least the basis for a deal that could save a full 82-game season.


NHL players miss first payday

NHL players miss first payday

by Ken Campbell - October 15, 2012 3:13 PM EDT

As players begin missing out on their paycheques, will pressure build on them to return?
Today would have been a very good day to be Ilya Kovalchuk. That’s because, if the NHL were operating right now, Kovalchuk would have reported to the Prudential Center in anticipation for a game Wednesday night against the New York Rangers and picked up a pay stub for $297,297 (plus change, minus taxes and escrow).


'AHL on steroids' will be big adjustment for NHL prospects

'AHL on steroids' will be big adjustment for NHL prospects

by Ken Campbell - October 12, 2012 4:21 PM EDT

Transitioning from junior or college is tough enough for young players, but with more high-end talent skating in the league it'll be an even bigger step up.
CLEVELAND – As the puck drops on the American League season Friday night, Edmonton Oilers prospect Taylor Fedun and about 100 other players will get their first real taste of professional hockey.


Why house league hockey is an attractive option

Why house league hockey is an attractive option

by Ken Campbell - October 5, 2012 10:41 AM EDT

With minor hockey numbers in Canada declining, there is a less serious route you can take that provides plenty of fun.
It’s understandable why a company such as Bauer would be spearheading an initiative to double the number of hockey players in Canada and bump the worldwide numbers by a million.


Krys Barch ramblings and ownership fires

Krys Barch ramblings and ownership fires

by Ken Campbell - October 1, 2012 3:10 PM EDT

Ken Campbell shares his take on the Twitter messages from the Devils enforcer and the latest on the Devils and Coyotes ownership situations.
This is not good. We’re so early into the lockout that we haven’t even missed any regular season games yet and already the alcohol-induced Twitter ramblings of a goon are being considered legitimate news and commentary.


Future of Coyotes uncertain as ever

Future of Coyotes uncertain as ever

by Ken Campbell - September 28, 2012 2:55 PM EDT

The sale of the Coyotes may already be dead, though clear details are hard to come by.
One upside of the lockout for the NHL is that it has given the league more time to deal with the mess that continues to be the Phoenix Coyotes.


Edmonton mayor, city council should call Daryl Katz bluff

Edmonton mayor, city council should call Daryl Katz bluff

by Ken Campbell - September 25, 2012 4:40 PM EDT

The Oilers owner was in Seattle this week, which raised questions about possible relocation.
Here’s what I would do if I were Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel. I’d call Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz into my office and tell him that if he thinks he can get a better deal by moving his underachieving, perennial non-playoff team to Seattle, then he should fill his boots.


Why does Gary Bettman get all the blame?

Why does Gary Bettman get all the blame?

by Ken Campbell - September 24, 2012 3:05 PM EDT

Gary Bettman seems to be getting the finger pointed at him for everything under the sun these days, but that anger is misdirected.
Gary Bettman learned long before Chris Chelios made his veiled threats during the last lockout what it was like to live with a target on his back.


NHLers in Europe, USA Prospects Game and the Markham Arena

NHLers in Europe, USA Prospects Game and the Markham Arena

by Ken Campbell - September 21, 2012 3:50 PM EDT

Why are members of the players' union heading to Europe?; top prospects in Buffalo; and an interesting tidbit about the GTA Centre.
Some Friday musings for your dining and dancing pleasure: The mass exodus of players to Europe will turn into a flood now that Sweden’s Competition Authority has ruled that the Elitserien’s decision to ban locked out NHL players from playing there is illegal.


NHL had chance to bury players in 2005

NHL had chance to bury players in 2005

by Ken Campbell - September 17, 2012 1:15 PM EDT

Unlike the players, NHL owners don't seem to know how to handle negotiations when they have all the leverage.
Not exactly cracking up any new ground here, but there is a lot about the NHL’s third lockout in the past 18 years that completely defies logic.


Could IIHF president Rene Fasel become IOC leader?

Could IIHF president Rene Fasel become IOC leader?

by Ken Campbell - September 14, 2012 1:43 PM EDT

Developments are happening on the international stage that could end up with Fasel in charge of the IOC, and Bob Nicholson in charge of the IIHF.
While the NHL and its players fight over how they should divide a $3.2 billion pie, there are some interesting machinations playing out on the international hockey level that could see hockey get a powerful voice on the International Olympic Committee and Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson taking the top job at the International Ice Hockey Federation.


Is Patrick Roy a good choice for coach of the Colorado Avalanche?




"We're playing the defending champs and you can tell they're not going to beat themselves. That team, just from them going all the way, you can see it over there. There's no panic…You can tell that's a machine over there and we've got to be at our best."

- San Jose's Scott Gomez on the Los Angeles Kings. Los Angeles leads the series 2-1.

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