JCon

I don't know, all the top pro leagues, with the exception of the NHL, are going. There may be some European teams that can challenge the Russians.

It was originally only the one shoulder but then he hurt the other at the end of the season. He's had the surgery on one shoulder (the second one injured) and, as stated, will have the other shoulder done soon.

Let's not forget, this is how Bettman negotiates. He locks out, cancels half or all a season, then starts negotiating. He's probably still in his lockout phase. He may still come around. He'll probably be calling the IIHF before the month is over.

I love Slava. He's hilarious and one of the best follows on Twitter.

Another piece that I found interesting: Vandervoort to HAM (4) Maybe so, but Vandervoort was recruited from Bear Creek Secondary in Barrie, Ont. to Hamilton by then Marauders head coach, now Ticats offensive coordinator Stefan Ptaszek. Ptaszek taught Danny how to turn speed into route running and jump balls into an art form. I have a hard time believing the two are not meant to work together in a professional football setting with Fantuz in Vandervoort’s ear for every meeting – once re-signing – while rehabilitating his knee. There's just no way Hamilton doesn't pick Vandervoort.

I've only looked at one or two mock NFL drafts but the first o-linemen I saw off the board was at 17. I wonder how the depth is at guard and tackle this year?

And if Gray does get NFL interest, I bet he drops to at least 6th. Bombers don't need to use their number one pick on him, I don't think.

On Gray... You might say that’s a risky proposition, but imagine not taking the Manitoba product and watching him flourish for 15 years in Rider green. It's so true. The rationale to take Gray at number 1 is as much about not getting burnt by him playing for someone else, especially the Riders. If Walters picks Gray and he plays in the NFL for 5+ years, how would you feel? Gray is probably the number one lineman in the draft.

He only referenced Jets.

Bettman was trying to hold them hostage. The CBA is negotiated for all players but the Olympics only represents a small portion of the NHLPA. It was a complete red hearing and is a completing separate issue.

I'm not sure how you blame the players in this. The only option they were given was to extend the current CBA.

And the response from the IIHF. From the article: ... “The IIHF is deeply disappointed to hear of Commissioner Bettman's decision not to have National Hockey League players take part in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games,” said IIHF President René Fasel. “While we respect the NHL’s reasons for not taking part, there is no hiding the fact that this is a decision that robs ice hockey fans of the world's greatest best-on-best international ice hockey competition, and our sport of a truly global platform that has been in place since 1998. At the end of the day, ice hockey loses here.” ... However, the National Hockey League Players’ Association came out with a statement of its own, saying that its players “are extraordinarily disappointed and adamantly disagree with the NHL's shortsighted decision to not continue our participation in the Olympics.” "Any sort of inconvenience the Olympics may cause to next season's schedule is a small price to pay compared to the opportunity to showcase our game and our greatest players on this enormous international stage.” ...

If I'm Pyeongchang, I'm upset. If I'm a sponsor, I'm upset. If I'm a player, I'm upset. If I'm an NHL owner, I'm wondering why I'm subsidizing a team in Arizona. I don't think this plays well for Bettman. Yes, he does the owners' bidding but he's suppose to negotiate these things. Not sure how they get to China now? The NHLPA holds the cards now, including the preseason games next year.

The NHL has announced that players will NOT be going to Pyoengchang in 2018. NHL Will Not Participate in 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games Very disappointed.

It's Roslovic's hometown but maybe, Thorburn once scored two goals there or fought someone above his weight class, so he deserves to play?

Roslovic and Connor will play against Columbus, but yeah, let them play now!! Enough trying to be good to Thorburn. They've been plenty good to him over the years. It's ridiculous.

In the cap era, this is a way of helping encourage players to come to Winnipeg. Assuming everyone is paying around the same, how the players are actually treated goes a long way, IMO.

We've been the GC twice in the past ten years.

Go ahead and change the lexicon. Call some turnovers and some takeaways. Don't make a big deal about (over and over again) and call them all takeaways.

The only thing that annoyed me about that is the ends the Winnipeg journalists, in particular Bauming, went on and on about this comment last year. Bauming even added it to his repertoire and commented anytime someone called it a turnover. Fine if the Bombers and Tait call it a takeaway but why does the media now need to call it a takeaway? Are we going to refer to some as turnovers and some as takeaways? Always felt like Bauming was trying to suck up to MOS.

Question... Are we now in the late days of this administration?! (Kind of feels like it, eh?)

I thought Wheeler's comments were ridiculous. This team has been all over the place in terms of 'compete' this season. Yes, Wheeler always gives it his all (does he?) but not everyone does. He's the captain, he should be a bit more reflective of who this team is. It was a good questions and poor reaction from him.

With Myers on left.... I can't remember, has he played much on the left? I can't recall him playing there with the Jets but maybe in Buffalo? I would give it a go. Production would go down, as he would have to stay at home, hedging for Buff.

They can't compel him to implicate himself in a crime though. He could do time for hindering prosecution and get a pardon right before Trump is impeached. POTUS pardons are binding and cannot be reversed.

He's also added three legit top four d in Morrissey, Trouba, and Meyers.