Glimmer Of Hope

It looks like the NHLPA and the NHL have decided the same thing most of us already knew. Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow aren’t capable of negotiating a new CBA.

Officials from both sides will meet at a secret location Wednesday to try and salvage a season. Whether or not they can work out their differences is another story. The players still insist they won’t accept a cap and the owners won’t unlock their doors without one.

Regardless of what the circumstances are, little hope remains to salvage the 2004-2005 NHL season. The owners have been reported to have some scenarios worked out for a shortened season, including a 36 game season that would start the first week of February.

All this is a moot until some sort of agreement is ratified. Both sides have rejected numerous offers in the last few months, and are hoping that new representatives can create the spark they need to get a deal done.

While this meeting gives us some hope for the season, please beware. If a deal is struck, Goodenow and Bettman would then get involved. At that time they could approval the deal, or try and change it around -- a move that would most likely kill it.

The NHL is in a crucial time period. If something isn't ratified by the end of the month, there really is no chance at a season. There is less optimism coming from the players, coaches, and owners.

The time to act is now.

Hockey is already a niche sport. It caters to a unique group of people and generates only about $2 billion per year. Each day takes away from that number, threatening to hurt the league for many years. The longer the hold out, the less the league can offer the players.

Let’s hope this meeting works.

Munson Heads North

Former third baseman Eric Munson has signed with the Minnesota Twins. With the loss of Corey Koskie, Munson will have a chance to compete for the starting third base job.

My initial reaction to this was positive. Then I started thinking -- Why are teams still trying to make Munson a third baseman? He has trouble fielding the ball, and now they want to put him on carpet where it’s even more difficult to stop the ball. Sure he has a lot of power at the plate, but with a .212 average it doesn’t really matter. He was a future first baseman who has since been taken out of his element, and his game has suffered as a result.

Munson will have to play well in spring training to make it to the regular season. He needs to work on his reaction time, speed, and his throwing. Behind the plate he needs to get away from always looking for the long ball, work on consistency, and work his on base percentage up. He was once a bright spot in the Tigers’ future. If he can regain his poise, he could be a good asset for the Twins.

Pistons Win

The Detroit Pistons extended their winning streak to six games, beating the Phoenix Suns 94-80.

Tayshaun Prince led all scoring wtih 26 points, and Ben Wallace added 15 rebounds. Detroit didn't shot particularly well, but kept to their defensive game and shut down the high scoring power of the Suns.

Nash was also out of the game, which didn't help things for the Suns. Nash, averaging 11 assists per game, sat out with a bruised thigh. The Suns shot 35% from the field, and 17% from the three point line. They took care of their free throws, but it wasn't enough.

Detroit took care of things under the boards. They dominated with second chance points, and converted many points of fast breaks and rebounds.

The Pistons are really heating up. They're finding ways to win, and are starting to hold most of their late-game leads. They're rumored to be working on trades that would solve their bench problems. If that happens, and they get the right fit, they would continue to dominate the Eastern Conference, and make a return to the NBA finals.