June 16th, June 16th...

I said earlier, that the NHL and NHLPA would come to a deal on the 16th of June. That is what I would like for a belated birthday gift, however, I'd take a deal made anytime this year. So, as Canadian newspapers have stated, a cap IS in place and the new CBA is being written and 'lawyered' as decisions are being made, which is highly unusual. As of now, rumor has it that a cap is in place at $36M a floor of $22M, and a tax on payrolls higher than $29M. In other words, NHLPA, you lost! Should've taken the deal back in January with a $42M cap, but I know, you wanted no cap, no linkage. Guess what, you're screwed and goodnight.

So, as this economic framework is being put into place, not only am I the only person in America that cares about it, but we are closer to my June 16th date. We are oh so close, and meeting everyday will help resolve every minor issue left (for example, rookie salary cap and draft order). If the rookie salary cap is set too low, say goodbye to Sidney Crosby, who is the next Gretz/Lemieux. He'll play in Europe. If the draft order had Columbus pikcing first, goodbye to the NHL coming back. As much as I want to see Crosby in a Penguins uniform, I want to see him in a big market city, like Chicago, NY or LA, so the NHL can come back.

To sum up, we're close.

Cam Neely, hall of famer. Sounds right. Wonder if Ulf Samuelsson will get elected and if they'll put his plaque next to Cam's. Ulf, a Penguin, so I got to give him props.