"A great experience," Hedman said by phone. "I've been playing a lot and developing my game. I'm very happy I chose to come here, and I'm very eager to get back to Tampa and prove I've gotten better as a player."
Hedman's 18 assists are tied for second among league defensemen and his 18 points in 21 games are sixth. He is averaging 21:51 of ice time and is plus-12.
But Hedman, 21, said he is most excited about his work on offense, especially on the power play where he wants to expand his role with Tampa Bay.
Quote:
But Hedman said he now better understands how to meld offensive creativity with defensive positioning. His reaction time also has improved.
"The more time he can spend on (the power play) the more comfortable he will be," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said. "I know he has the ability to play on it, so it's a matter of getting the opportunity and he's getting that over there."
"You can definitely get better playing there," said Tampa Bay captain Vinny Lecavalier, who during the 2004-05 lockout played in Russia for Kazan. "It's a little different style of play, a little more free on the ice. It's not as structured. But it's not like you're playing 16-year-olds. It's the second-best league in the world."
also
Quote:
If ever you are in Kazakhstan, Victor Hedman said, better not to order horse in a restaurant.
Yes, it is a delicacy there. But, really, "It's disgusting," Hedman said. "It was chewy. It's tough to explain what it tastes like ....You have to try it once," Hedman said, "but never again."
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=410921
Quote:
Standing side by side comfortably for perhaps the first time since the lockout began was a representative from the players' association alongside a representative of the league.
Concluding a lengthy day of CBA talks between owners and players at a midtown Manhattan hotel – union head Donald Fehr and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman were absent from the meetings – NHLPA special counsel Steve Fehr and NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly appeared together in front of assembled media with an unusual air of co-operation.
“We had a long day obviously,” said Fehr of the talks. “I thought it was a constructive day. We had a good dialogue. In some ways I'd say it might be the best day we've had, which isn't to paint too overly optimistic of a picture; there's still a lot of work to do and a lot to be done but we will be back at it [Wednesday] morning.” https://twitter.com/erlendssonTBO
Quote:
With all this optimism flying around tonight, keep in mind Bettman and Fehr have to re-enter the talks at some point #BuzzKillWarning
__________________
"It's still All In to me dammit." - Felonious Python
Another good sign is that I can't find squat about what they spoke about.
I just had an idea of how to get everything:
Wild owner Craig Leipold is a hardliner and on the normal negotiating committee. If Vinik buys out the Wild's affiliation with the Solar Bears, Leipold will get at least part of his money back from making players whole and Orlando will be paired up with Tampa Bay.
Yes, I just brought the Bear into becoming an instrumental part of saving the remainder of the season.
Lemonade > Lemons
Last edited by Felonious Python: 12-05-2012 at 05:44 AM.
There's over 1500 viewers on the mainboard. Is the lockout over????! omg I hopppppeeeee
Im here after hearing all the optimism around the latest meeting. Havnt been here in a while. I am sure thats the same for a lot of people. I need hockey back
I hope there is a partial season. But, I still think that they should wait for the big birthday party until next season. So we shave a couple years off the age, no biggie.
I hope there is a partial season. But, I still think that they should wait for the big birthday party until next season. So we shave a couple years off the age, no biggie.
I'm reminded of the Habs 100th birthday. They built it up for 5 years and then had their big bash on opening night, but for the rest of the season, I don't recall much being said about it.
Here's what I think is going to happen. The season gets cancelled, the PA decertifies and the league responds by trying to use replacement players.
As I said earlier, Bettman has an escapegoat in the legal system should it go to court.
None of the PR schemes Bettman has lined up are going to work. What he needs to realize is that his two decades have made a lot of people not like him. The NHL fanbase does not like him and we don't want to like him. That is a fact. We will never give him the benefit of the doubt.
The obvious holes in logic of his PR stunts have been exposed by fans and media at every turn.
The only times I hear anyone say anything good about Bettman are when they're used to balance out the loads of criticism that are heaped upon him. That's not a joke, that's literally the way it is.
I know there are people with power and connection who read this. I'm saying this as someone outside the bubble, but wanting to get in: the longer Bettman stays around, the angrier fans will get at the owners who enable him.
Or if I can put it in terms that might hit closer to home, Bettman is hurting the brand.
What concerns me is that if Bettman is trying to play rope-a-dope with the Fehrs, he won't realize when he's actually been beat.
8:35pm Pierre LeBrun tweets to expect statements from all 4 owners who joined talks this week. (that means Vinik)
Last edited by Felonious Python: 12-06-2012 at 07:36 PM.
What the hell does Fehr think he's doing? Giving a presser, saying that a deal is close, when he damn well knows what's going on. Bettman's attempts at PR may not have been totally effective, but Fehr just stepped on a live grenade on national tv and doesn't even realize it yet.
"After working this week with our players toward what we hoped would be a new agreement, owners presented a proposal we believed would benefit those great players, ownership, and, ultimately, our fans for many years to come. While trust was built and progress was made along the way, unfortunately, our proposal was rejected by the Union's leadership. My love for the game is only superseded by my commitment to our fans and I hold out hope we can soon join with our players and return the game back to its rightful place on the ice."
Looks like Hamrlik (along with Neuvirth) was extremely in the right to call out Fehr. Today makes it look like all of the backward movement is put squarely on his shoulder.
Of course I haven't actually been inside the rooms, so I know as much as anyone: Jack ****.
I'm starting to return to my normal pessimism. Also, the BOH board helps.
