The rule about equality is meant for NHL'ers in other leagues. No exceptions should be made to attract that special superstar from the NHL. I also meant that the structure of the deals should be so that they're comparable with current contracts in that league. No huge signing bonuses or paying for insurance where other players have to do that themselves. I'm not arguing that there should be absolute equality where young and old, star and 4th liner make exactly the same money. But it should be in the usual range and under the usual conditions for that league. Sure if the NHL star you attract is better than anyone else on the team or in the league, he should make more, but within reason.

Example:
If the best player in your league makes 3 mln / yr, an NHL'er shouldn't be payed 8 or 9 mln. Just acknowledge he's the best by handing the biggest contract, but 4 mln. should be enough.

First problem with your argument about the players taking jobs in other leagues is that they are in a union. What you describe would apply more to non-union workers. If teachers were locked out there is no way they could go work in another school board and then get to come back when the lock out is over. The only benefit a teacher has is they can quit and go work somewhere else, a player under contact can't do that.

Secondly, you can't sign a contract that conflicts with a contract you are already signed too and if you do the initial contract always takes presidence. That is true with any contract unless the initial contract is worded in such a way that this does not apply. If it didn't work that way it would be a huge loop hole on how to get out of contracts you didn't like.

I don't even know were you are going with this:

"The other rule should be that players are treated equally when finances or other terms of employment are concerned. Same wages, same taxes, same insurance premiums etc."

Are you saying this for the NHL or just the players playing in other leagues during the look out? If just for the players in other leagues are you suggesting that the hockey leagues can change tax rates for different countries and that a player with a 100 million dollar contract and one with a 5 million dollar contact should pay that same in insurance to cover their contract??????????

If you can e-mail me a screenshot of what you're talking about, I may be able to help.

Email me at my shredder SU account.

Thanks.

Audio could be better. Sounds like it's over skype but not a big problem.

Ian Mendes then commented on Tim Thomas having one, if not the best, seasons ever by a goalie last year. What is he basing this on?

If you are going to determine that Tim Thomas had one of the greatest goaltending seasons ever please be sure to mention ALL OF THE STATS that brought you to that conclusion. Save percentage ONLY, does not determine how good or bad a goalie was.

Yes he lead the league in save percentage but, a few big buts, would include that he was one of the WORST starting goalies in shootout save percentage. He only stopped 10 of 19 shots for a terrible .526 save percentage and his win loss record was 1 win and 5 losses in the shootout. Shouldn’t the so called best goalie in the league lead in this department since it is a one on one battle and it is where a goalie needs all skill sets to be successful, meaning no defense and defensive systems there to protect him. Goalies need to rely on footwork, save techniques, speed, gap control, positioning, etc.

Also, he was ranked 20th in penalty kill save percentage, or very, very, average. Goalies that had better PK save percentages than Thomas include Schneider, Theodore, Ward, Anderson, Johnson, Varlamov, to name a few. Boston was short handed the 4th fewest times which helps a goalie stats as well.

So, he had the best five on five save percentage. How would other goalies have faired with that Boston defense and defensive systems that include some guy named Chara. How would Vokoun faired on Boston and Thomas on Florida if they swithced roles last season? Vokoun allowed only 2 goals on 13 shots in the shootout for a save percentage of .846. Vokoun lead all number one goalies in penalty kill save percentage last season with a stellar .925 save percentage!

Again I ask, if Vokoun was on Boston and Thomas on Florida what happens? So who was the better goalie last season Vokoun or Thomas? Vokoun had Garrison, Weaver, Kulikov, McCabe, and Allen. Big deal!

Thomas was average last season on a good team! Vokoun was good on an average team. But the goalie and hockey world always finds a way to pick the winning goalie as the best and not the best goalie all around!

Mr Mendes should provide the entire stats to such bold statements!

Sorry I didn't email this week... still trying to get over that vomiting and diarrhea and fever that I caught by watching Sens v. Laffs.

:)

Too bad I had to turn the game off in the second period...

Your team is your team. Why regionalize it????

Sens fans are loud when things actually matter.

I hear you have a BabyBel

You should defo promote this sorta stuff via Twitter, etc