Some CBA and European notes … Panthers layoff employees, some teams won’t … Top signing bonuses … Burke calls Gillis last week
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  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Gary Bettman will be meeting his staff this morning, organizational planning for the lockout. It doesn’t mean there will be cutbacks or layoffs if the lockout goes on for awhile.
  • Mark Spector via twitter: “Players use agents, union to cooperate, organize, ensure no player underpaid. Salaries escalate. Now, players rip owners for spending. Solution: Give owners agents, who can collude to keep salaries down. Even playing field, problem solved. You’re welcome.”
  • Nick Cotsonika via twitter: A point made to Cotsonika: there are more players involved this time, but there are fewer involved continuously. This makes Don Fehr more powerful and the PA harder to break.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Hockey Canada told the NHLPA that they won’t be able help out with a Canada-Russia series during the lockout. Hockey Canada needed to make a quick decision to allow Canadians to decide on European playing options. The NHLPA will look at other options and may put on a similar event themselves.
  • Liz Mullen via twitter: A source said that the the NHLPA sent a memo to players yesterday saying that it would pay premiums to continue insurance coverage.
  • George Richards via twitter: Florida Panthers layoffs between 8 to 12 from sales, building operations and their mascot Stanley C. Panther.
  • Andy Strickland via twitter: Outside of the KHL, the Swiss league can offer the most money. They have 8 licenses and can dress 4 imports a game.
  • Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said that Drayson Bowman wasn’t exposed to waivers because “there’s a higher risk with a player like that.”
  • CapGeek via twitter: Top signing bonus spenders: 1. Sabres – $20.75 million 2. Wild – $20.1 million 3. Predators – $13.3375 million 4. Lightning – $10.59 million 5. Blackhawks – $10.2575 million 6. Rangers – $9.5525 million 7. Canucks – $9.38 million 8. Blue Jackets – $5.7475 9. Canadiens – $5.44 million 10. Maple Leafs – $3.0875 million.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: OHL introduces suspensions and team fines for players who fight more than 10 times. The WHL and QMJHL are not on board yet.
  • Toronto Sun: Enrico Ciccone of TVA Sports said that Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke contacted Canucks GM Mike Gillis about Roberto Luongo last weekend.