Confirmed with Link: Lockout Over (Tentatively); Let's Go Blues!

[PocketNines]

We get to watch Alex Pietrangelo play the game of hockey in less than two weeks.

@FriedgeHNIC Two sides settled on contract lengths of 7 years (other free agents), 8 (your own).

ESPN Link

Click to read more...

 

[542365]

I'm so jacked!!! Russian Jesus, COME TO ME!!!

EDIT: Also excited to see this board come alive again. Even if that means we argue back and forth about who is better than whom, it's better than wondering when we'll get to see them play!

 

[rumrokh]

Hockey's pretty cool, I guess.

 

[PocketNines]

Was talking to some Ranger fans tonight out here in Crested Butte on vacation. They were updating me all night on negotiation status. I asked them if we could have McDonagh. (They didn't say no, so it's probably gonna happen.)

 

[BlueDream]

Sweet, so we can sign Pietrangelo to an 8-year deal.

So pumped to watch this team in action. Tarasenko could be filthy. Our team will be good. Deep playoff run? Anything is possible. Let's go Blues!!!!

Not sure how I'm going to fall asleep right now...

 

[ManyIdeas]

Thank god I've been waking up on my own at 4AM for the past 2 months. I can't imagine the horror of hearing this news any later

 

[Captain Creampuff]

I've almost forgotten what its like to go to a game it's been so long.

 

[Jzk]

Awesome. Now lets get everyone over and ready to play.

 

[JustOneB4IDie]

We get to watch Alex Pietrangelo play the game of hockey in less than two weeks.

Now I can wear my Alex Pietrangelo Jersey for the 1st time

 

[letmesleep]

Am I dreaming?

Is this real life?

 

[PocketNines]

You know how the Celtics were good in the 80s and everyone thinks of them as Larry Bird's Celtics even though there were plenty of other talented guys on the team? If the Blues can win championships they will be Alex Pietrangelo's Blues. It's just special getting to watch this guy. Lock him up for 8 years, Doug.

 

[PocketNines]

Also, will be interesting to figure out where the Blues are within the cap framework.

 

[BlueBeard]

Get Mulva out of Russia and Cole and Schwartz the hell out of Peoria and let us have a season boys!

 

[PocketNines]

All games will be within conference. If it's a 50-game schedule, then probably 5 games against each of four division opponents (20 games) + 3 games agasint each of ten conference opponents (30 games).

 

[JustOneB4IDie]

Can't wait to see " The Tank " wearing the Bluenote!

 

[EastonBlues22]

It's about **** time.

 

[Alklha]

Got to go out for the day shortly, so would be appreciative if someone could post the bullet points of the deal when it all becomes available. Everything gets lost on the massive threads on the main boards.

Looks like the Oilers ability to suck has resulted in a change to the draft lottery, where all 14 teams that miss the playoffs will now have the possibility of getting the #1 overall.

 

[DrVanntastic]

Bout time. I look forward to watching the season unfold with you fine folks. Drop the ****ing puck!

 

[h22prelude93]

 

[EastonBlues22]

Got to go out for the day shortly, so would be appreciative if someone could post the bullet points of the deal when it all becomes available. Everything gets lost on the massive threads on the main boards.

Looks like the Oilers ability to suck has resulted in a change to the draft lottery, where all 14 teams that miss the playoffs will now have the possibility of getting the #1 overall.

Some early bullets:

- The league coming off their demand for a $60 million cap in Year 2, meeting the NHLPA's request to have it at $64.3 million - which was the upper limit from last year's cap. The salary floor in Year 2 will be $44 million.

- The upper limit on the salary cap in the first year is $60 million, but teams can spend up to $70.2 million. The cap floor will be $44 million.

- 2 amnesty buy outs per team before season 2013-14. Won't count on the cap but on players share.

- Salary arbitration walkaways: cannot happen unless player award is at least $3.5 million, indexed to increase every year at rate salaries do

- The 10-year deal also has an opt-out clause that kicks in after eight years.

- The salary variance on contracts from year to year cannot vary more than 35 per cent and the final year cannot vary more than 50 per cent of the highest year.

- A player contract term limit for free agents will be seven years and eight years for a team signing its own player.

- The draft lottery selection process will change with all 14 teams fully eligible for the first overall pick. The weighting system for each team may remain, but four-spot move restriction will be eliminated.

- Supplemental discipline for players in on-ice incidents will go through NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan first, followed by an appeal process that would go through Bettman. For suspensions of six or more games, a neutral third party will decide if necessary.

- Revenue sharing among teams will spread to $200 million. Additionally, an NHLPA-initiated growth fund of $60 million is included.

- Opening of training camp either Wed, Thur or Fri. Depends on ratification.

- If it's a 50-game season it would start Jan 15; if it's a 48-game season it would start Jan 19

 

[JustOneB4IDie]

Thank you EastonBlues22 for posting some bullet points on the new CBA

 

[Em etah Eh]

Finally! It would have been devastating as a blues fan for this team to miss a full season. I'll gladly take the asterisk if it means a cup, ha.

I like that all the non playoff teams have a shot at #1 overall.

 

[Em etah Eh]

Any word on realignment?

 

[Stealth JD]

Welcome back, morons.

It is good to have NHL hockey back though.

Now go out there an win us a Cup, boys.

 

[The Note]

Probably didn't need to last this long, but my god am I happy it's over. Can't wait to watch the Blues play!