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Craig Custance examines the St. Louis Blues' offseason blue-line challenge, writing that GM Doug Armstrong has his work cut out in upcoming contract negotiations with rising defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk.

Blog | Conversation | June 10, 2013

With a tentative agreement in place between the NHL and NHLPA, Craig Custance explores the new CBA and last night's cap compromise to gauge the impact on teams and players.

Blog | Conversation | January 06, 2013

With the NHL including an option for teams to buyout contracts to comply with a proposed drop in the salary cap, Craig Custance examines some likely candidates in the Eastern Conference.

Blog | Conversation | December 31, 2012

With the NHL including an option for teams to buyout contracts to comply with a proposed drop in the salary cap, Craig Custance examines some likely candidates in the Western Conference.

Blog | Conversation | December 31, 2012

There are some who believe the NHLPA's disclaimer of interest could expedite an agreement ... others think it could crush the NHL in years of court battles. Craig Custance explains the true impact of the move.

Blog | Conversation | December 17, 2012

While the CBA talks have centered around contract length and the duration of the new bargaining agreement, key issues like Olympic participation and realignment still need to be hammered out.

Blog | Conversation | December 14, 2012

If the NHL season ever gets underway, unsigned restricted free agents like Jamie Benn and Michael Del Zotto will need to expedite negotiations on a new contract, which could be complicated by the new CBA.

Blog | Conversation | December 13, 2012

Craig Custance examines the battle over contract term limits and why players feel it could greatly limit the money going to mid-level players.

Blog | Conversation | December 10, 2012

With the threat of decertification looming over the NHL CBA talks, Neil Greenberg looks at the impact of the potential dissolution of restricted free agency to see which young stars could cash in on the open market.

Story | Conversation | December 03, 2012

With federal mediators stepping into the NHL's labor fray, Craig Custance looks at where they might be able to find areas of compromise among the key remaining issues prolonging the league's work stoppage.

Blog | Conversation | November 27, 2012

While bargaining talks proceed at snail's pace, Craig Custance offers up six new voices that could offer some fresh perspective and help breakthrough the seemingly endless debate between the league and the NHLPA.

Blog | Conversation | November 20, 2012

While there is new hope in the NHL CBA negotiations, Craig Custance looks at some of the unintended consequences of a potential lost season, including some big free agents in front offices and the future of NHL icons Jarome Iginla, Teemu Selanne and more.

Blog | Conversation | November 05, 2012

Peter Keating explains why the NHL's current collective bargaining woes won't be alleviated until the league permanently addresses its revenue sharing system.

Story | Conversation | October 31, 2012

Even as negotiations continue to stall, most players seem to be prepared to endure a long work stoppage according to Craig Custance.

Blog | Conversation | October 29, 2012

Craig Custance explains why the negotiating tactics employed by the league and the players are creating distrust that might doom the NHL to a perpetual cycle of work stoppages.

Blog | Conversation | October 19, 2012

In a scenario oddly similar to the 2005 draft that produced Sidney Crosby, a lost season may result in a lottery drawing to determine which team could land generational talent Nathan MacKinnon.

Blog | Conversation | October 03, 2012