- Darren Dreger via twitter: There is still lots of optimism that the season will be saved in early 2013. Dreger is hopeful, but less optimistic.
- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: As of the 24th, no meetings were scheduled between the NHL and NHLPA.
“We haven’t talked about meetings later this week,” Daly said in an e-mail. “I guess we will see.”
- Brad Shade via twitter: Joey Hishon has been cleared to practice after being out 19 months with a concussion.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Semyon Varlamov returned to Yaroslavl Lokomotiv lineup on Friday after missing a couple weeks with a knee injury.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie asked 10 scouts about 2013 draft eligibles. 7 have Nate MacKinnon at number 1, 3 had Seth Jones. Top 10 rankings: 1. MacKinnon (CAN); 2. Jones (USA); 3. Aleksander Barkov (FIN); 4. Elias Lindholm (SWE); 5. Jonathan Drouin (CAN); 6. Rasmus Ristolainen (FIN); 7. Valeri Nichushkin (RUS); 8. Alex Wennberg (SWE); 9. Jacob De La Rose (SWE); 10. Linus Arnesson (SWE).
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: So what happens to the NHL draft if the season is cancelled?
“Anybody who says they have a clue, they’re lying,” said Al Murray, Tampa Bay Lightning’s head of amateur scouting.
Before the 2005 draft, the NHL held a lottery to see who would get the chance to draft Sidney Crosby. It was held 5 weeks after the normal date, and 17 days after the CBA was agreed upon. If there is no CBA during the summer, there could be no draft.
“There can’t be a draft without a CBA. That’s one of the things collectively bargained,” said former NHL general manager Craig Button, now a draft guru for TSN.
“The NHL could still implement a draft regardless of having no CBA, but the NHLPA could say no and then everybody’s a free agent. That would be messy. What if they say there’s a bidding situation for the junior players? It’s far-fetched and I don’t think it would happen, but …”
If a CBA gets done after the season is cancelled, and they do look to hold a draft, they could go with a lottery like they did after the last lockout.
“If they go on the same format for the lottery, Columbus would have five balls, three of their own and they’ve also got L.A.’s pick (for Jeff Carter) and the Rangers (for Rick Nash). They would be the overwhelming favourite,” said Button.
The Flames, Wild, Stars, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs and Jets would each have three balls.
- The Fouth Period: Last Friday the City of Glendale signed a lease agreement with Greg Jamison’s group, Hockey Partners LLC. Jamison now has until Jan. 31st to purchase the team.
