The Athletic’s LeBrun updates NHL-NHLPA negotiations regarding 20-21 season

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun updates us on the latest developments between the NHLPA and the NHL as they pertain to a probable 2020-2021 NHL season:

The NHL Players’ Association finally did get back to the NHL over the weekend regarding its financial asks, as my TSN pal Darren Dreger first reported Monday night. But when the NHLPA made some CBA asks in return, the league said “thanks but no thanks,” as one source put it to me. You can’t fault the players for wanting something in return for potentially tweaking a document they signed five months ago.

Both sides confirm the financial terms from the Memorandum of Understanding, signed in June as part of the CBA extension, will stand as is.

So now it’s full steam ahead on continuing to hammer out details for the 2020-21 season, which both sides hope will begin on Jan. 13. There’s still sizeable work to be done on scheduling, COVID protocols, critical dates, etc.

And then, and this is key, once both sides finalize a season package, both sides will have to bring it to their respective constituents for clearance. The NHL’s Board of Governors and the NHLPA’s Executive Board will have to sign off on the plans.

Continued (paywall)

Red Wings, 97.1 the Ticket extend ‘broadcast partnership’

FYI:

ENTERCOM EXTENDS EXCLUSIVE BROADCAST PARTNERSHIPWITH DETROIT RED WINGS AND DETROIT TIGERS

97.1 The Ticket to Remain Flagship Station for Both Teams

PHILADELPHIA, PA – December 8, 2020 – Entercom has announced an exclusive multiyear radio broadcast partnership extension with the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. As part of the extension, 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM), Detroit’s only local sports talk station, will remain the flagship station of both teams, airing play-by-play for all regular season and postseason games.  

“The Tigers and Red Wings are two of the best sports partners in the business, and the Ilitch organization has been a major part of the comeback of Detroit,” said Debbie Kenyon, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Detroit. “We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with these two local powerhouses and remain as the go-to home for both franchises’ fanbases, delivering year-round content that our listeners crave.” 

“We are extremely pleased to extend our partnership with Entercom Detroit, ensuring loyal Red Wings and Tigers fans have unmatched access to their favorite teams, athletes, and personalities,” said Chris Granger, Group President, Sports & Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “97.1 The Ticket does an incredible job of engaging sports fans in metro Detroit on a daily basis, and we are thrilled to bring Red Wings hockey and Tigers baseball to fans across the great state of Michigan through Entercom’s extensive radio networks, unique behind-the-scenes podcasts, and exciting live events.” 

In addition to game broadcasts, the partnerships, which first began in 2001, will feature entertainment and promotional opportunities across Entercom’s entire portfolio in Detroit, including WWJ News Radio 950 (WWJ-AM), ALT 98.7 (WDZH-FM), 104.3 WOMC (WOMC-FM), and 99.5 WYCD (WYCD-FM). 

Listeners can tune in to 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM) in Detroit on air, as well as nationwide on the RADIO.COM app and website.  Fans can also connect with the station on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

Monday-night developments on ‘return to play’ from Dreger and LeBrun

Late on Monday night, TSN’s Darren Dreger and TSN/The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun provided updates on the NHL and NHLPA’s attempts to negotiate a start to a 2020-2021 season:

Update: Here’s even more from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman:

Continue reading Monday-night developments on ‘return to play’ from Dreger and LeBrun

A bit more about Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill’s ‘The Word on Woodward’ interview and his expectations for the 20-21 Wings

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill took part in a 17-minute interview with DetroitRedWings.com’s Arthur J. Regner on last Thursday’s “The Word on Woodward“…

And today, DetroitRedWings.com’s Josh Berenter took note of Blashill’s remarks regarding “getting more” from his revamped Red Wings team:

Continue reading A bit more about Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill’s ‘The Word on Woodward’ interview and his expectations for the 20-21 Wings

Toledo Walleye will play hockey this season, but not until February 2021

There’s good news and bad news if you’re a Toledo Walleye fan. The ECHL team did announce that they will take part in the 2020-2021 ECHL season today, but they also announced that their season won’t be starting until February.

Per WTOL’s Jordan Strack…

The ECHL Board of Governors, along with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association, have signed off on the opportunity for the Toledo Walleye and Fort Wayne Komets to participate in the 2020-21 ECHL season beginning in February 2021.

The ECHL also announced Monday that the Cincinnati Cyclones, Idaho Steelheads and Kalamazoo Wings are suspending play for the 2020-21 ECHL season under the league’s policy for COVID-19. All teams are set to return in the 2021-22 ECHL season.

“We are grateful to be given the opportunity to play and understand this season will be like no other,” said Walleye Head Coach Dan Watson. “During this time I will continue to work with the ECHL to ensure our return to the Huntington Center is done with the utmost adherence to the health and safety protocols necessary for our team’s well-being.”

And the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe:

No start date or schedule format has been announced for the Walleye or Komets.

In an email to season ticket holders, the organization offered its customers an opportunity to put their memberships on hold.

“Your game plan will be paused,” the email stated. “We will hold everything for you — seat location, ticket price, and status. It will all roll over to the 2021-22 season and your credit kept on account for 2021 renewal.”

Walleye officials said that although the date of the start of the season has been moved again, it is prepared to start the season with coronavirus procedures and protocols in place, including social distancing and reduced seating.

“When arena capacities are finalized and a game schedule is confirmed, you will receive information from your consultant on how ticket distribution will work,” the letter stated. “The pandemic has lasted longer than any of us could have imagined and these upcoming months are critical.”

Why Antti Tuomisto won’t join the Finnish WJC team

From the Denver Post’s Mike Chambers: Red Wings prospect and University of Denver Pioneers defenseman Antti Tuomisto tore up the Finnish under-20 league last season, but Pioneers coach David Carle revealed that Tuomisto won’t be taking part in the Finnish World Junior Championship team’s exploits in Edmonton:

DU will be without star sophomore forward Bobby Brink for the next 7-9 games. Brink has reported to the U.S. World Junior camp in Plymouth, Mich. Tuomisto, already a top-pair defenseman for DU, probably wasn’t named to Finland’s WJC roster because he hadn’t played games like his countrymen back home. “Their loss is clearly our gain, that we get to keep him the whole time here in the pod,” Carle said of Finland and Tuomisto.

Chris Johnston, Ted Kulfan report that William Wallinder won’t play in the WJC due to coronavirus issue

This is a bummer for MODO Hockey’s William Wallinder:

The Swedish World Junior team reported the news first:

THN’s Larkin suggests that Bobby Ryan has ‘something to prove’…to himself

The Hockey News’s Matt Larkin posted a list of 10 NHL players who he feels have the most to prove to their new NHL teams during this upcoming season, and he included Red Wings free agent signing Bobby Ryan on his list:

Bobby Ryan, Detroit Red Wings

Ryan had an alcohol problem and decided in 2019-20 it was time to face it head on. He entered the league’s player assistance program in November and, upon returning to the Ottawa Senators lineup in February, went public with his struggles, hoping his story might help others battling similar demons. His courage helped him win the Masterton Trophy. It did not yet score him a long-term commitment from an NHL team, however. After Ottawa bought him out, the Red Wings signed him to a one-year contract. The pandemic-imposed NHL shutdown gave Ryan extra time to work on his sobriety and be with his family, so there’s a chance he’ll be his best self in a long time when he suits up with the Wings.

Ryan, 33, doesn’t land on his list because he faces “pressure.” I include him because he has the opportunity, in a contract year, to show what he can bring as a goal-scorer now that he has his life on track. Everyone will be rooting for him.

Continued

Detroit News’s Bianchi checks in with Moritz Seider in ‘Locked on Wings’ podcast

Red Wings prospect and Rogle BK defenseman Moritz Seider spoke with the Detroit News’s Nolan Bianchi regarding his decision to skip the World Junior Championship in order to continue playing in the SHL…

The prized blue-line prospect told hosts of the “Locked On Red Wings Podcast” that the decision basically came down to the amount of games he’ll have the chance to play with his pro team in Sweden, vs. the amount of game action he’d see by representing Germany at the World Juniors.

“I think I would miss up to 16 games during (that) time,” Seider said. “We’re just finding the best way, personally, for me, was probably staying here and playing a lot of games, especially in December. It’s always busy around Christmas and New Year’s.”

As well as the following:

On what’s different about playing in the SHL vs. the AHL: “Almost everything is based on your skating abilities. Everybody can skate in this league and it’s freaking fast. Really talented, shifty forwards, they’re super skilled, you have to be really careful about how you’re using your stick. You can’t just throw your body over the ice, because then you will get beat, because of the big sheet (of ice). … That was the most challenging thing for me, adjusting my defensive game, just (reading) the game, when you’re able to join the rush, creating space for your teammates. All in all, I’m kind of split about what I should like a little bit more: The big ice or the small sheet in North America, because I think I can take both sizes to what’s my advantage.”

Continued