The news of the NHL and NHLPA coming to terms on a new CBA "was broken" by Bruins D Andrew Ference, who just after 5:00am ET today "tweeted a single character, a symbol -- a thumbs up" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/6). Ference later this morning tweeted, "From my grandparents to our B’s fans, I am deeply sorry that we had to miss so much hockey. All we can do now is play our hearts out for you" (TWITTER.com, 1/6).
Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford early today said, "We have a challenge, publicly, with our fans, who are such a huge part of our game. We know it has been a frustrating time for them. It has been a frustrating six months for our sport" (NEWSOBSERVER.com, 1/6).
A BOSTON.com headline asks, "Will A Cool Reception Meet The NHL's Return To The Ice?" The GLOBE & MAIL's Jeff Blair writes under the header: "Best Way For NHL To Regain Fans’ Trust Is To Show Bettman And Daly The Door."
Forbes.com's Alicia Jessop Tweeted, "One key agreement made in the new NHL collective bargaining agreement: NHL players will be able to play in the 2014 Winter Olympics." TSN's Bob McKenzie: "No question target is 50-game, not 48-game, season. Speculation is it would be 5 games vs 4 division rivals and 3 games vs 10 Conf rivals." Grantland's Bill Simmons: "As a season ticket holder, I am not exactly shedding tears over paying for a condensed 48-game NHL season followed by playoffs."
