Agree that the Rangers have done well especially given what Howson was saying about only trading him for another 30-40 goal forward and not wanting a defenceman. Be interesting to see what Nash does when he's playing in a better team.

Meanwhile good news for the Bruins with Nathan Horton being cleared to play for next season. Hopefully he can stay healthy and provide some offence at the business end of the season. Adam Mcquaid has also been cleared as well.

Carolina Hurricanes sign Alexander Semin to a one year $7 million deal.

Could we be heading for another Lock Out? Not looking great at the moment.

Most people are predicting some form of a lockout but after what happened a few years ago they would be stupid to lose a whole season again.

I'd agree with that and I am suprised there is such an impasse at the minute between the owners & NHLPA. The last lockout seriously damaged the sports reputation and attendances which has taken until the last couple of seasons to get back to where they where before.

It does seem less and less likely an agreement will be in place before september and the owners/NHL have now delared that unless there is a new CBA in place by Sept 15th there will be a lock according to Gary Bettmans statement out even though Head of NHLPA Don Fehr had said the union is open to continuing talks beyond Sept 15th if no deal is reached, and entering the season under the current system.

Just find it hard to believe its looks set for a lockout after the damage the last one did. Have to say I don't know which party is right/wrong but it looks like its down to 3 main issues the NHL wanting to cut the players revenue % share by 14%, limit contract lengths and remove players arbitration.

So it looks like a lockout unless some serious negotiations take place and either one or both sides soften on their demands as both sides say there is a huge gulf between them!!!

Well for the 3rd time with Bettman as top man we have a lockout in the NHL.This could last as long as the last one as both sides seem to be miles apart from agreeing how to move forward.This is one whole year after the players where telling the NBA players to agree a deal to avoid a lockout.

Bettman needs to go

Both Bettman & Fehr need to go as it should neither side should have let it get to this again.

Neither party should leave the table until they have come up with an agreement, a couple of hours here and there is never going to get things sorted. Its ok for players like Crosby, Toews etc who are already mulit millionaires but its the men and woman that work within the industry on a normal wage that are suffering and also the knock on affect with small companies that rely on the NHL for the work they get.

Its time the petty stuff stopped and they called a professional mediator in until its sorted and a deal agreed.

Over the weekend I thought they were close to a deal but now it looks like they're as far away from a deal as they were a couple of months ago.It's not looking good and if another season is lost I can't see how Bettman can justify keeping his job.

I know its ridiculous, half the issues they havent even discussed yet. This should have a priority at the start of last season not 5 weeks before the CBA ran out.

Bettman has to go and go now. Fehr equally is seemingly the Bettman of the NHLPA.

The fact they have cancelled the Winter Classic is criminal due to its success, neither the owners nor the majority of the players can afford this to go on long term.

All this petty tit for tat crap aint going to get things resolved.

Sack Bettman, end the Southern experiment, bring back the Nordiques.

At last some harmony coming between the owners & players after excluding Bettman & Fehr from the talks.

Keep those two idiots away from any of the negociations and we might have a good chance of seeing some NHL this season.

Note to the owners & players - Kick Bettman & Fehr out as they are the reason you're having a lock out with no sign of movement, both seem to revel in lockouts.

After a good day of talks Bettman and Fehr joined in again yesterday and not suprisingly we've now moved back to where we were last week with no talks planned and everything up in the air again

Exactly both have previous when it comes to lock outs Bettman x 3 in NHL and Fehr MLB & NHL.

Surely the owners and players must realise that the only solution to salvage not only the season but the NHL as a whole is to ditch Bettman & Fehr as their ego's are all they care about as is proving with the continued stalemate when they are involved

Remind you of another sport which wants it's competition to expand geographically?

FINALLY THE LOCKOUT IS OVER






After 3 long months the NHL lockout is over,it might take a few days to sort things out but it looks like a 10 year cba deal is in place

The season will now be either 48 or 50 games starting a week on saturday so with the season shortened every game should be like a playoff game,6 months of great hockey to look forward to.

Best had look to get Premier Sports early then!

I'm going to wait until the players vote agreeing to the deal before I get really excited, but things are looking very promising.

Come on you Chicago Blackhawks - we want another Stanley Cup !!!!

Damn right we do

Hopefully in the next few hours the players will give the thumbs up to the new cba then we can get the schedules out and the season can begin.I see Eric Cole is the 1st player to come out and say they do not like the new cba and is threatening to retire after the season,all i can say is you'll not be missed Eric you can take the $ 26 million you've got so far in your mediocre career and dissapear.

NHLPA has ratified the new CBA. Lockout officially over. Schedule here: www.nhl.com/ice/schedulebyseason.htm

NHLPA has ratified the new CBA. Lockout officially over. Schedule here: www.nhl.com/ice/schedulebyseason.htm

1 day togo until the season starts so i'll do my predictions.Up until last year I usually get one team that makes the cup final so here goes

East
NY Rangers beat Philadelphia in east final

West

St Louis beat San Jose in west final

Stanley cup

NY beat St Louis to win cup

Bruins to win it all. Started off the post Tom Thomas early well with 3-1 over NYR.

And during that game, seen what quite possibly will be the save of the season by King Henrik, diving to his left to save a point blank shot.

Can't believe the officials even took it under review, everyone could see it never crossed the line! Still, 1st game, 1st loss, can only be upwards from here.

If we don't reach the playoffs this year, I can see Tortorella getting the can.