Gästebuch » The Columbus centre has seven points

CFL training camps opened Sunday amid the uncertainty of a potential players strike. Veterans reported for the start of two-a-day workouts three days after negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement broke down for the second time in as many weeks. The old deal expired at midnight ET on Thursday, the two sides havent met since and have no new talks scheduled. The CFL Players Association has mailed strike ballots to its members but Alberta labour laws could push the start of a strike into next week. For defensive back Eric Fraser, a union rep for the expansion Ottawa Redblacks, thats a good thing. "Thats a lot of time for the (CFLPA) executive and CFL to sit back down and hammer something out," he said. "I dont think were too far away right now, but tough decisions are going to have to be made on our end and their end and hopefully we can nail something out and everyone leaves the negotiating table a little upset because they think they gave up a little too much." There has been one strike since the formation of the CFLPA in 1965. That was in 74 when a new agreement was reached during training camp without the loss of regular-season games. The 2014 regular season is scheduled to kick off June 26. Despite the huge cloud hanging over the league, Fraser is confident a deal will be reached. "I have 100 per cent confidence there would be no lockout or strike like (2012 in the NHL) in the CFL," he said. "You just cant do it. "A good deal is going to get done here and I think thats positive." The CFL and players met for 17 hours over two days last week but money remains a major stumbling block after the league signed a five-year TV deal with TSN said to be worth a whopping $42 million annually this off-season. That deal alone would reportedly net teams an extra $2.7 million in 2014. The CFLPA is looking for the salary cap -- which was $4.4 million last year -- to increase to $5.8 million, with a $4.8 million minimum. The league has countered with a $5-million cap offer and boosting the average stipend to $96,000 from $92,917. The players have amended their revenue-sharing stance. Instead of requesting specific percentages on gate, television and sponsorship revenues, the CFLPA proposed a fixed cap for at least two years. After the second if league revenues increased by more than $12 million -- excluding the Grey Cup -- the two sides would renegotiate the cap or the CBA would be terminated at seasons end. The league would renegotiate the cap if revenues increased by $27 million or more in the third year. Cohon, who called the CFLs proposal last week its last and best, has repeatedly stated owners wont agree to any revenue-sharing offer because league revenues and profits arent enough for the model to work effectively. And that bothers veteran kicker Paul McCallum, the B.C. Lions player rep. "I dont know which way is up when (Cohon) talks sometimes," McCallum said. "All I know is the finances are what they are -- theyre black and white. "As players we just need to be treated fairly, and thats all were asking for. Were not millionaires here." For decades the CFL suffered financially, something the 44-year-old McCallum knows firsthand. But the veteran kicker feels the CFL is banking on the union cracking this time around. "To be quite honest, over my career weve sort of bent and bent and bent so I guess they think why would we not bend now," he said. "Theyre in for a rude awakening this time. "Enough is enough." Argos centre Jeff Keeping, also a member of the CFLPA executive, is glad to be playing football again but would readily replace his uniform with a suit for the resumption of contract talks. "The players are unwavering . . . we hope to get back to the negotiating table," he said. "Until then were here to play football." Veteran Ottawa quarterback Henry Burris is undeterred about the leagues labour strife but said its time the two sides resume talking. "The people that are in place saying all this stuff in the media, they need to quit all that crap and get to work and do what theyre paid to do and thats to make decisions and get this thing rectified so we can get back out here and do our jobs," he said. "For me thats the bottom line, as a senior member of the CFL, Im telling you guys Lets get this thing done, so we can get out here on the field and do our jobs because were looking forward to an amazing time here in Ottawa and we dont want nobody to spoil this party that we have planned." Toronto head coach Scott Milanovich has contingency plans for a work stoppage but says right now its business as usual. "Any practices we can get is great for the coaches, great for the players," he said. "It just makes the practices we get in even more important that we take advantage to all the minutes and reps we get." Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and B.C. running back Andrew Harris are both pretty much taking the same approach. "Its not in my mind, its not in my control," Levi Mitchell said. "No matter what, whatever happens, the day you come back, if it does happen, youve got to be ready to play that day. Were going to come out here and compete and get better every single day and practise like nothings going on." Added Harris: "Were here to work. were here to get better. Youve just got to prepare as if everythings going great and were going to be playing." -- With files from Lisa Wallace in Ottawa, Donna Spencer in Calgary and Joshua Clipperton in Kamloops, B.C. Cheap Air Max 2017 .m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Falcons by 3 1/2RECORD VS. Wholesale Air Max Shoes . Bjoerndalen, who had failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi, writes in a Facebook entry that he is "full of energy and inspiration" after winning the 10-kilometre sprint and mixed relay at last months Olympics. http://www.airmaxoutletsale.us/. At 11:06 of the first period, Neal struck Marchand with his knee when Marchand was down on the ice. Marchand remained in the game. Neal was assessed a kneeing penalty for his hit on Marchand. Cheap Air Max Online . Vargas (8-3) allowed four singles and two walks while striking out five, allowing only two runners from a diluted Twins lineup to reach second base. Mike Moustakas and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI singles in the second inning against Kevin Correia (4-10), and that was all Vargas needed. Cheap Air Max Outlet . Pinch-hitter Tommy Medica singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their first home game since Gwynn died of cancer Monday.Lots of love for the Central, with the Blues blowing up offensively, Kane climbing the scoring list and Nashville’s defence continuing to provide offence. Lineup news, Fantasy and more in Scott Cullen’s Statistically Speaking. HEROES St. Louis Blues – After rolling the San Jose Sharks for seven goals, for the second time in a week, the Blues have a bunch of players on hot streaks. C David Backes has nine points (5 G, 4 A) in the past five games; RW T.J. Oshie has 13 points (6 G, 7 A) during a seven-game point streak; LW Jaden Schwartz has 10 points (4 G, 6 A) during a six-game point streak; C Paul Stastny has 10 points (2 G, 8 A) in the past seven games; LW Alexander Steen has 11 points (3 G, 8 A) during a five-game point streak. The Blues have nine players – tied with Chicago for the most – with at least 20 points this season. Colorado, with eight, is the only other team ahead of a group of nine teams tied with seven. Patrick Kane – Chicago’s high-scoring winger had a goal and two assists in a 4-2 win at Minnesota, his fourth three-point game in the past 10. He has 19 points (8 G, 11 A) in his past 13 games, moving into a five-way tie for third in league scoring, with 45 points. Kane’s centre, Brad Richards, recorded three assists and has six points (2 G, 4 A) in his past five games. Josi & Weber – Continued point production from Nashville’s top defence tandem. Roman Josi had a pair of assists in a 3-2 overtime win vs. Dallas, giving him 12 points (4 G, 8 A) in the past 10 games. Shea Weber scored a pair of goals, including the overtime winner, and had nine shot attempts (5 SOG) in a 3-2 win against Dallas; he has 13 points (4 G, 9 A) in the past 13 games. ZEROES Johnny Oduya – The Blackhawks blueliner was crushed (4 shot attempts for, 26 against, 13.3%) in possession terms against Minnesota. Seth Helgeson – The Devils rookie defenceman was buried in the defensive zone (2 shot attempts for, 22 against, 8.3%) against Boston. Goalies: Craig Anderson – Yanked from the Senators net after giving up three goals on nine shots in a 5-2 loss at Colorado. Antti Niemi – San Jose’s goalie surrendered five goals on 21 shots before getting pulled in a 7-2 loss at St. Louis. Jhonas Enroth – Buffalo goaltender gave up five goals on 31 shots in a 5-2 loss at Carolina. LINEUP NEED TO KNOW Jason Zucker – In Zach Parise’s absence from the Wild lineup, Zucker played a career-high 21:42 and scored a goal – his team-leading 15th – in a 4-2 loss to Chicago. Dustin Byfuglien – Played 29:18 in Winnipeg’s 4-1 loss to Arizona Thursday. It was the second straight game, and third time this season, that Byfuglien has played more than 29 minutes in a game. Teuvo Teravainen – After four shots on goal, and no points, in 20:57 of ice time in his first two NHL games, the 20-year-old Blackhawks rookie was a healthy scratch against Minnesota Thursday. Colton Sceviour – The Stars winger, who had seven points (3 G, 4 A) in his previous 11 games, but was scoreless, with two shots on goal in the past two, was a healthy scratch at Nashville. The Stars opened the game with Brett Ritchie skating alongside Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, but the blender got put to use in the second half of the game, as Seguin moved to a line with Jason Spezza and Erik Cole, while Cody Eakin moved up to play the middle with Benn and Ritchie. Daniel Paille – Moved up the depth chart to play the wing with Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic against New Jersey, while rookie David Pastrnak, in his first game since playing (1 G, 6 A, 5 GP) for the Czech Republic at the World Juniors, skated alongside David Krejci and Brad Marchand. Phil Varone – Playing his second game this season since getting called up from the AHL, the Sabres centre scored both Buffalo goals in a 5-2 loss at Carolina. Varone had 29 points (8 G, 21 A) and was minus-3 in 35 AHL games before getting called up. Jordan Schroeder – Playing his first game with the Wild since November 13, Schroeder had seven shots on goal in 9:49 of ice time against Chicago. Schroeder had 24 points (10 G, 14 A) and was minus-4 in 28 AHL games.dddddddddddd Jonathon Blum – Making his first appearance for the Wild since November 11, the blueliner didn’t play much (7:24) against Chicago, but had solid possession stats (9 shot attempts for, 2 against, 81.8%). He had 16 points (4 G, 12 A) and was minus-11 in 29 AHL games before getting recalled. SHORT SHIFTS Bruins LW Milan Lucic scored a pair of goals in a 3-0 win over New Jersey; he had one goal in his previous 16 games…Capitals D Mike Green assisted on both of Washington’s goals in a 3-2 loss at Philadelphia; he has 11 points (1 G, 10 A) in the past 10 games…Blackhawks LW Bryan Bickell scored a pair of goals in a 4-2 win at Minnesota, and has five points (4 G, 1 A) in the past five games…Wild RW Jason Pominville put up a goal and an assist in the 4-2 loss to Chicago, giving him 14 points (3 G, 11 A) in the past 12 games…Sharks C Logan Couture had a goal and an assist in a 7-2 loss to St. Louis; he has seven points (2 G, 5 A) in the past six games…Panthers LW Jonathan Huberdeau had two goals and an assist in a 3-1 win at Vancouver, and has seven points (3 G, 4 A) in the past six games…Rangers D Dan Boyle had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win at Los Angeles, giving him seven points (2 G, 5 A) in the past seven games…Rangers C Derick Brassard picked up a pair of assists at Los Angeles, and has nine points (3 G, 6 A) in the past seven games…Kings LW Dustin Brown had a couple of assists in the loss, giving him five assists in the past five games. Bruins RW Reilly Smith (17 shot attempts for, 3 against, 85.0%) and defencemen Torey Krug (20 for, 4 against, 83.3%) and Kevan Miller (18 for, 4 against, 81.8%) had strong possession stats against New Jersey…Sharks rookie LW Barclay Goodrow had 30% possession (9 shot attempts for, 21 against) and was on for three even-strength goals against in the 7-2 loss to St. Louis…Predators D Ryan Ellis controlled play (14 shot attempts for, 2 against) in a 3-2 overtime win against Dallas…Rangers D John Moore had another superb possession game (79.0%) in limited ice time at Los Angeles; in the last four games that Moore has dressed, he’s been on for 75.3% (70 for, 23 against) of shot attempts during 5-on-5 play. Blackhawks G Corey Crawford stopped 42 of 44 shots in a 4-2 win at Minnesota…Devils G Cory Schneider stopped 40 of 42 shots in the loss to Boston, and has a .932 save percentage over his past nine starts…Avalanche G Semyon Varlamov stopped 36 of 38 shots in a 5-2 win over Ottawa; since returning from injury, Varlamov has a .943 save percentage in seven games…Coyotes G Mike Smith turned aside 34 of 35 shots in a 4-1 win over Winnipeg…Panthers G Roberto Luongo stopped 32 of 33 shots he faced in his return to Vancouver. FIRSTS Miikka Salomaki – Making his NHL debut for Nashville, the 21-year-old winger scored a goal against Dallas and delivered a game-high seven hits. A second-round pick in 2011, Salomaki had 16 points (5 G, 11 A) and was plus-13 in 29 AHL games before getting promoted. FANTASY FOCUS Five games on the NHL schedule tonight; here are some players to consider for your lineup: Aleksander Barkov – The second-year Panthers centre is starting to produce a little offence, with three points (1 G, 2 A) in the past four games. Adam Larsson – Playing bigger minutes (24:17) this month and has two assists in the past three games. Brandon Dubinsky – The Columbus centre has seven points (2 G, 5 A) in the past five games and is averaging 19:27 of ice time per game. Anton Lander – Let’s not get carried away over a player with 10 points in 98 career NHL games, but Lander does have points in back-to-back games and, with 83 points (27 G, 56 A) in 75 AHL games since the start of last season, he’s shown some ability to contribute offensively and could be worth keeping on your radar. Much of the data included comes from www.war-on-ice.com, www.puckalytics.com, www.hockeystats.ca and www.naturalstattrick.com Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca ' ' '