Ah, the bounty that awaits us on TSN, CBC, RDS (including limited preseason action), and Sportsnet (VAN, CGY, EDM, OTT available so far). Anything in particular you're interested in seeing that's not available here in Canada yet? I haven't included A-Channel's Sens coverage yet, or SRC's Habs coverage, simply because they're either already pretty much covered by the above, or they haven't been released.

In a proposal hoped to appease Russian Hockey Clubs who lose almost all their top prospects to the NHL, The IIHF drew up a new proposal giving the Russian clubs more money for transfers. The Russian Clubs Unanimously rejected the proposal. This could cause major problems for the world of hockey. First and foremost, it could mean the serious lack of new Russian Players in the NHL. Immediately, it could affect Ovechkin and Malkin's (the 2004 #1 and #2 picks) chances to play in the NHL this year. Without the IIHF agreement, there is no standard way to transfer players who are already under contract with a Russian team. The Russian Federation has said that the teams prefer to negotiate on a individual basis with the NHL opposed to going through the IIHF in the hopes of gaining more money.

Just as important to some though, is the IIHF is also who regulates the Olympic Hockey tournament, and the lack of agreement jeopardizes the NHL's chances of having it's players play in the 2006 Winter Olympics.

First, the Owners unanimously ratified the CBA agreement.

Second, the rule changes were announced, most noteably, shootouts instead of ties, no red line, no-touch offsides, smaller goalie equipment, and goalies limited ability to play the puck.

Third, The Draft. Basically, teams should be happy to make it in the top 12, but the top team should be ecstatic that they will get Crosby. Anyhow, here are the results.

http://www.nhl.com/nhlhq/cba/lottery_results072205.html

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=131005

After tomorrow's ownership rubber-stamping, it's on to the good stuff: free agency and the draft. Puck drops in October, y'all!

Link

First, hockey comes back. Now, the border's open to cattle again (can't seem to find the article on the Herald's webpage, even though it's plastered all over their front page). Next thing you know, Harper will tell us he's gay, Martin will make a decision without a figurative gun to his head, and Clinton and Lieberman will show up on XBL at Halo 2 Night.

If someone else can find an article, please by all means, paste it in, because right now I'm coming up empty. Otherwise, just discuss the general thoughts for now, I guess.

Yes. It's done. Rejoice, dammit!

(I'd link it, but come on: TSN, people.)

I'm not bringing this up to debate gay marriage again--we just did that two weeks ago. I want to consider two other topics related to this particular article. Read within for all the gory stuff.

A repost of a thread I started in Goose's Garage. Read within.

In a move to gaurentee it's status of being a second class airline will be extended well into the future, Air Canada has announced that it is cancelling it's orders with Boeing for 18 new Boeing 777's in 2006, and 11 new Boeing 787's in 2010. Now, the fault does not truely lie with Air Canada's executive offices, but instead, lies largely on the Pilots who rejected the deal because they didn't want to have to learn how to fly new jets.

The Liberals survived no less than five confidence votes last night, including the two budget bills. All things considered, I don't think the Tories are even trying anymore, and they're wise to really, since the numbers are now back against them. Of course, I'm hard-pressed to find anyone who cares anymore, since most people lost their will to follow politics after the juiciest stuff out of the Gomery inquiry passed.

In other news, the NHL and PA are still plugging at it. They're believed to now have an economic system essentially agreed upon (although subject to change should any other negotiations prove to push things significantly away from the system's core assumptions). My money's on Canada Day. You?

Story

Any thoughts? Besides how utterly annoying GS's word filter can be?

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/06/01/news_6126797.html

The Canadian video-game industry expands, albeit only slightly.

The first bill passed with only the Bloc voting against. The second bill passed by one vote, with Cadman and Parrish siding with the government, and Kilgour against.

So it turns out there are still a few human beings left in the Commons. The NDP has volunteered to "pair" one of their MPs with one of the sick Tories, so any confidence vote is not held at an unfair disadvantage to the Conservatives. Ed Broadbent offered, but my understanding is that a cabinet minister with a sick wife will go instead.

Whether you agree with their economic policies or not, you gotta admire the NDP for trying to keep things civil in a decidedly uncivil House.

We're now the number two Union on Gamespot. Good work folks!

I'm back, and I'm wondering what the hell they're doing in Ottawa--and hoping May 19 settles some things, one way or another.

We're getting close to that "majic" number... ( little props to one of our members there )... Anyway, we should push to grow the numbers more for the next little while. Getting the word out is pretty important to help us grow, and get more activity in the forums.

everyone make sure and put the badge in your signature, or at least a link, every little bit helps! Lets strive for 400!!!

http://atlas.walagata.com/w/frostbyte/CGU_TAG.gif

is the image path, and I'm sure you know the union's;

http://www.gamespot.com/unions/home.html?union_id=GCU

Feel free to host the image yourself, I'm sure Frostbyte would appritiate it!

Apparently, according to www.radioshack.ca, Circuit City is creating a new brand, called The Source by Circuit City. Beginning with a location in the Toronto Eaton Centre, the Source will be a Best Buy like store as far as products offered.

...but I do know when I'll be back again--the 13th, actually. In the meantime, I probably won't be in much, though I will try to pop in every now and then. Try not to kill scr0dfish while I'm gone, 'kay?

TB