CBA

   Arrgh!  Can you believe the NBA came to an agreement on their CBA in one night?  A six year deal!!!  The NHL has been going on their lock out for 278 days!!!  Bettman and Goodenow barely talked before the existing CBA was up and the lock out was called immediately as the CBA expired with very little talking at all.  In Feb the entire season was called off after a mad dash to try and settle things. 
 
The biggest hold back was the salary cap issue.  Owners wanted one, players said no.  Anyone see Jagr's recent comments? 
Jagr was quoted, in Czech, on the Czech Ice Hockey Association's Web site.  "We started the fight because we didn't agree with the introduction of salary caps," Jagr said. "Now, we'll be happy to get them. We didn't expect the owners to be so tough and persistent. It was a risk that didn't pay off."
 
It is being reported that the NHL and the Players' Association recently agreed on a cap and the final details are being hammered out.  There will also be some rule changes in the new CBA.  Smaller goalie pads for one.  Pads will be limited to 11 inches as they were in the old days instead of the 14+ inches many are wearing now.  Blockers and catching gloves will also be reduced in size.  I personally like that idea better then changing the size of the nets.  Apparently one of them 'has' to change. 
 
I've heard rumors that both sides are working feverishly to get this done before the end of June.  With TV contracts not being renewed and season tickets needing to be sold (if they can be) it is a necessity to hurry.  Hurry?  Ha!  After all this time now they want to hurry!!