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Victoria Matiash updates her defenseman rankings just prior to the start of the season.

Sure, it's hard to remember now, but there were actually plenty of highs in the NHL during 2012, writes Scott Burnside.

The Senior Benefit pension plan for retired players has gotten the nod from the NHLPA, writes James Murphy.

Negotiations between hockey owners and players are going so well that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says he's "pleased with the process" -- even if he has been left outside the latest rounds of discussions.

During the lockout, the future of pensions has been thrown into a state of limbo, putting the future finances of hundreds of retired players under a dark cloud, writes James Murphy.

While mediation failed to make progress in the NHL lockout, an interesting subplot emerged: Commissioner Gary Bettman has apparently suggested that he and NHLPA chief Donald Fehr step aside, and let players and owners negotiate directly with one anot...

Any mounting optimism from four straight days of labor talks between the NHL and NHLPA seemed to abate as negotiations went sour between the two sides Friday.

Andrew Ference is ignoring the roller coaster of emotions that would come with following the latest in CBA negotiations by enjoying his time in the Czech Republic, writes Scott Burnside.

Craig Custance breaks down the NHL's latest CBA proposal to assess the impact on teams up against the salary cap, and those with salaries stashed in the minors. The verdict? Don't expect to see a flurry of panicked trades ... not yet anyway.

Blog | Conversation | October 17, 2012

The journey back to the Czech Republic will in some ways be familiar, while at the same time offering Andrew Ference something unique, writes Scott Burnside.

In the end, writes Scott Burnside, what will the players have achieved by choosing a strategy that would see them go over the edge in lockstep with the owners other than being able to say, "See, we didn't blink this time?"

As the lockout begins, Craig Custance reports that GMs are examining strategies from the league's previous stalemates to build post-lockout winners, and outlines team characteristics that will most likely lead to success.

Blog | Conversation | September 17, 2012

The NHL and NHLPA remained at an impasse in the latest round of collective bargaining talks as the deadline for a lockout looms.