By Mike Harrington
As of 9:30 this morning, there are no updates from the Sabres or the NHL about the new CBA or the upcoming shortened season. And we may not get much for another day or two.
The Board of Governors will reportedly be meeting Wednesday in New York to ratify the deal and the 740-member NHLPA needs to do likewise. It seemed unrealistic to think lawyers would sign off quickly enough for training camp to start Wednesday and the season to start Jan. 15, and that appears to be the case.
By all accounts, it appears no official camp practices until Saturday (and maybe even Monday!) and no games until Jan. 19.
9:40 a.m. update: In Pittsburgh, Penguins co-owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle and CEO David Morehouse have just issued a joint statement that reads in part: "We offer our apology. There is nothing we can say to explain or excuse what has happened over the past four months. However, now that the NHL is back, we want to assure you that the Pittsburgh Penguins will do everything we can to regain your trust and show how much we value your amazing support."
As for the Sabres, if you want a hockey fix for now, you'll still have to settle for Sabres Classics on MSG. Tonight at 8 is Game Three of the 1998 Eastern Conference semifinals at Montreal, the double-overtime thriller won on a goal by captain Michael Peca.
A recap of our coverage in today's editions:
This is it. The lockout finally ended Sunday morning. I go through the particulars in today's main story, including reaction from the principals and from around the league.
Sabres players had lots to say Sunday via phone, text and Twitter. Will be at the Northtown Center later this morning to see who might be on the ice.
Bucky Gleason's column talks about how this is a long-awaited breakthrough for the little guy and he's not talking fourth-liners still making high six figures. He's talking ushers, security, ticket takers, vendors. The real people hurt by this thing.
