How about some hockey? AHL goalies Tokarski, Helenius making progress, coach says
With the NHL lockout in its 89th day, Tampa Bay Lightning goaltenders coach Frantz Jean has been working weekly with Dustin Tokarski and Riku Helenius of the AHL's Syracuse Crunch. Both are in important seasons. Tokarski's contract expires at the end of the season, and Helenius, a 2006 first-round draft choice by Tampa Bay, is re-acclimating to the North American game after two-plus seasons in Europe.
So far, Jean said he likes what he sees, despite both players with stats that could use some polishing. ... Read more
No rest (or vacation) for Tampa Bay Lightning's Marty St. Louis
Marty St. Louis said he was asked by the Players' Association to take part in Wednesday's negotiating session with the league on a new collective bargaining agreement. But the Tampa Bay Lightning star said he is better off right now on the sidelines waiting to hear what comes of the talks. ... Read more
Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos to headline charity game in Toronto
Tampa Bay Lightning star Steve Stamkos will headline the RBC Play Hockey Holiday Challenge on Dec. 19 in Toronto.
Here is the announcement from the Players' Association: ... Read more
Lightning RW Teddy Purcell says CBA situation "hopeless" and is considering Europe
Teddy Purcell on Monday was blunt in his assessment of negotiations between the league and Players' Association on a new collective bargaining agreement, calling the situation "hopeless." If things don't change by Christmas, he said he expects to be playing in Europe not long after Christmas. ... Read more
Latest CBA casualty: NHL cancels games through Dec. 30
In what comes as no surprise after the NHL on Thursday broke off negotiations with the Players' Association on a new collective bargaining agreement, the league canceled games through Dec. 30. Games previously were canceled through Dec. 14. The Jan. 1 Winter Classic and Jan. 27 All-Star Game also have been canceled. ... Read more
Lightning's Crombeen fires back at NHL: "They're trying to squeeze 5 more cents out of the deal"
For Tampa Bay Lightning right wing B.J. Crombeen, the good news coming out of this week's face-to-face meetings between players and owners to discuss a new collective bargaining agreement was that Lightning owner Jeff Vinik was "good" and "reasonable" during talks.
But Crombeen, a member of the Players' Association negotiating committee, said it is "mind-boggling" the league on Thursday angrily broke off negotiations, and said commissioner Gary Bettman's assertion that Thursday was all about a yes or no answer from the union on the league's latest off was a "bully tactic." ... Read more
Statements from four owners, including Tampa Bay's Jeff Vinik, on breakdown of negotiations
The NHL released statements from the four owners at Thursday's negotiations, including Tampa Bay's Jeff Vinik: ... Read more
NHL angrily breaks off CBA negotiations, plunging the season into jeopardy
Talks between the NHL and Players Association on a new collective bargaining agreement were angrily broken off Thursday night by the league with deputy commissioner Bill Daly saying the union's response to the league's latest proposal was "insulting to our owners." ... Read more
In latest offer to players, NHL increases money alloted to guarantee current contracts
By the time the second day of face-to-face negotiations between owners and players to end the 82-day NHL lockout were finished, it was about 1 a.m. Thursday in New York, and at one point union counsel Steve Fehr shared pizza with reporters. But nine hours of intense negotiations have pushed ahead the process for a new collective bargaining agreement.
Both sides generally were tight-lipped about what was discussed, but a few details trickled out. ... Read more
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