NHL Lockout: Blackhawks' Steve Montador not optimistic for new deal

Despite some renewed optimism, Chicago Blackhawks player representative Steve Montador is not "holding his breath" for a new deal to be reached soon that would end the NHL lockout.

Young Blackhawks prospects struggle to put puck in net for IceHogs

Marcus Kruger was the only player to find the back of the net for the Rockford Icehogs on Saturday in a loss.

NHL lockout: Patrick Kane not fleeing to Europe yet

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane isn't ready to sign a deal with a European team.

NHL lockout: Blackhawks' Steve Montador optimistic about new proposal

The NHL offered a new proposal to the NHLPA on Tuesday, and Chicago Blackhawks defender Steve Montador said that the offer is a start in a new direction. The proposal reportedly includes a 50-50 revenue split between the owners and the players, and some additional small concessions by the owners. The other points in the proposal are:

• Free agency begins at 28, or after eight years of service
• Entry-level contracts start at three years in length
• The league retains the process of salary arbitration

According to commissioner Gary Bettman, the league's proposal is geared so that games may be able to start soon enough to squeeze in an 82-game schedule in 2012-2013. Montador, though, said that the two sides are "still a ways away from getting [a deal] done, unfortunately."

As far as the revenue split goes, the last collective bargaining agreement gave the players 57 percent, but the owners' first proposal for this agreement sought to reduce the players' share to 43 percent.

NHL lockout: Blackhawks' Duncan Keith disappointed in owners

Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks is just as frustrated as everyone else over the NHL lockout.

NHL lockout: Blackhawks' Duncan Keith remains interested in playing in Europe

Duncan Keith joins a growing list of Blackhawks' players that would consider playing in Europe.

NHL lockout: Jonathan Toews says Gary Bettman taking away hockey 'just because he can'

Blackhawks captain Toews calls out NHL Commissioner over cancellation of NHL games.

Blackhawks' Steve Montador doesn't expect lockout to end soon

Blackhawks defenseman and player representative Steve Montador is looking at the ongoing CBA negotiations with cautious optimism.

NHL lockout: Patrick Sharp weighing new family with opporunity to play overseas

Patrick Sharp is one of many NHL players who are struggling with the decision to uproot their families and play hockey overseas during the work stoppage.

NHL lockout: talks to resume Friday, according to report

Discussions on a new NHL collective bargaining agreement could start again on Friday. According to what sources have told ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA counsel Steve Fehr met in Toronto Tuesday to schedule the new round of talks.

Fehr and Daly met on Monday, but did not schedule more negotiations. The new round of talks will be held in New York City, and are expected to begin with non-economic issues.

Little progress has been made in the NHL labor talks since players were officially locked out on Sept. 16. That has fans frustrated, as well as Chicago Blackhawks players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews looking for places overseas where hockey is being played, for pay.

Preseason games through Sept. 30 have already been canceled. Much like 2004-05, it's believed the tenor and quality of this week's talks might very well determine how long this lockout lasts.

NHL lockout: Blackhawks' Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews growing frustrated

Many Chicago Blackhawks players are getting more and more frustrated with the NHL lockout, but they're not going to panic just yet.

Blackhawks Boast 5 Of Hockey's Top 100 Prospects

Hockey Prospectus has ranked five Chicago Blackhawks players in their Top 100 Prospects list, according to CSN Chicago.

2012 first-round draft selection Teuvo Teravainen leads the way for Chicago, coming in at No. 11. Teravainen, a 18-year-old forward from Finland, scored 11 goals and added seven assists in 40 games for Jokerit of the professional Finnish hockey league, SM-liiga.

Brandon Saad, who many believe is the top young talent for Chicago, is the second-highest rated talent for the Blackhawks, coming in at No. 30. The 19-year-old Saad played in two postseason games for Chicago last season.

Center Brandon Pirri also played briefly for the Chicago Blackhawks last season. Pirri comes in at No. 50.

Mark McNeill and Jeremy Morin round out the top five for Chicago, coming in at No. 63 and No. 90, respectively. None of the top prospects for Chicago are over the age of 21.

For more on the Chicago Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page.

Blackhawks Would Have Started Training Camp Friday If Not For NHL Lockout

Had it not been for a lockout that has already caused for the cancellation of all September preseason games, Friday would have been the first day of training camp for the Chicago Blackhawks. Instead the team members are organizing their own practices at Johnny's Ice House.

Nina Falcone of CSN Chicago spoke to the Blackhawks about their Friday practice that wasn't in the setting they've become accustomed to for late September. "I'd rather be [at training camp] than waking up at 10 and struggling on over here," Dave Bolland told her.

Similar to players in the NFL and NBA, the NHL players have banded together to organize practices away from the facilities they are no longer allowed to visit. While the practices allow the players to stay in playing shape and prepare for the season, they are not given direct access to valuable assets like trainers and medical professionals.

Tony Brouwer understands the fans frustrations and told Falcone about some frustrations of his own:

"You can only just wait and see right now. It sucks when sides aren't talking, but at the same time there are other things that the League and [Players Association] have to do right now to prepare for more talks."

The regular season is scheduled to open Oct. 13 for the Blackhawks when they face the Blue Jackets, but that is obviously dependent on CBA negotiations.

For more on the Chicago Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page.

NHL Lockout: Patrick Kane Puts Party Ways Behind Him

The NHL is locked out, and nobody is quite sure where things go from here. A season is still a possibility, though many experts differ in opinion on where it will go. Still, many players are finding ways to keep busy, be it through playing overseas or just getting to the rink to work on their game. For Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks, it means a chance to refocus.

According to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune, Kane is trying to remove the label of not being a hard worker. There's a quote on the situation below:

"There are definitely changes that have to be made in how I go about my time away from the rink. I feel like I've been better in that situation and it's something I'm looking to get better in. At the end of the day, the main thing I love to do is play hockey. That becomes more important than those other things off the ice."

Kane was photographed early in the offseason at a block party in which he looked pretty intoxicated. After that incident, many questioned his work ethic, especially during the offseason. He's spending more and more time at the rink working on his skating, according to the piece, and that's a good start. Nobody knows when hockey will be back, but Kane has spent the offseason (since the incident) as though he were going to play on time, and seems more prepared than ever.

For more on the Chicago Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey. You can check out more hockey news from around the league at SB Nation's NHL page.

Blackhawks Winger Daniel Carcillo Says Knee Feels 'Great'

Chicago Blackhawks winger Daniel Carcillo told the Chicago Tribune that his surgically-repaired knee held up fine after an informal practice Wednesday. Carcillo had surgery last January to repair a torn left ACL, and had this to say:

"Structurally, my knee is great... It's just a matter of getting back in skating shape."

With the NHL lockout in effect, players are organizing practices on their own.

Carcillo scored two goals and added nine assists in only 28 games with the Blackhawks last season before his injury. The 205-pound left winger also took 82 penalty minutes.

Carcillo said in a Tribune video that he still feels sluggish, having not skated much lately, but he was happy to see some teammates at practice.

For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey or stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more news, notes and analysis from around hockey, visit SB Nation's NHL news hub.

Blackhawks Star Jonathan Toews Says He'll Be Playing Hockey 'One Way Or Another'

The NHL lockout is forcing some players to look overseas for work while the NHLPA and owners attempt to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.

On Wednesday, the league cancelled all September preseason games. Players aren't going to sit around much longer waiting and hoping for a resolution.

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is one of those players who is looking for work overseas -- and says that he'll be playing hockey "one way or another."

"One way or another I'll be playing hockey. Hopefully it's here," Jonathan Toews said. "But guys are showing right now (that) we're feeling very strong about what we've come up with, what we presented to the league. Our sacrifices have been substantial, our attempts to be reasonable and come up with something that makes sense. If they can't wrap their heads around it, we need to find jobs to play hockey. Nobody blames those (players) for looking for opportunities right now. It's what everyone should be thinking."

League owners will certainly be unhappy about their prized players playing in lesser leagues overseas, but there's little they can do about it while the league is locked out.

As CSN Chicago points out, it's not just European and Russian players looking to play overseas, but American players are now looking to do that as well. Logan Couture and Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks are headed to play in the Swiss League, just like New York Rangers forward Rick Nash.

Hopefully, a resolution comes sooner rather than later.

For all things Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.

NHL Lockout: Jonathan Toews Understands Fans' Frustration

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is just one of many frustrated by the NHL's latest lockout.

In just the fourth day of the lockout, the league cancelled all September preseason games, leaving most teams with just two exhibition contests scheduled in early October.

While the players and owners go back and forth looking for more money, the fans sit at home waiting and hoping that a resolution is near.

Toews understands the fans' frustration, and discussed the lockout with CSN Chicago.

"People in Canada really understand what's gone on the last 18 years or so since (Gary) Bettman's been commissioner and the repetitiveness of these situations," Toews said. "People in Chicago, especially are more disappointed. Look at the last five years and how great hockey's been in this city and the energy it's brought. People are scared we're going to miss the season and that we're not going to see hockey. Even if it's an 80-game season instead of 82, it's disappointing. There's no reason to go to that point."

Chicago's regular-season schedule is set to begin Oct. 13 in Chicago, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Unless talks resume at a rapid pace, the first wave of regular season games could soon be in jeopardy.

For more on all things Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey.

NHL Lockout: League Cancels September Preseason Games

The NHL announced Wednesday afternoon that the league's September preseason games have been cancelled, thanks to the NHL's second lockout in the last seven years.

The Chicago Blackhawks had been scheduled to play four exhibition games in September, as they were set to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers.

Chicago still has two preseason games scheduled for October, as the Blackhawks are set to take on the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Oct. 5, and then play host to the Flyers on Oct. 6. Barring a miraculous turn of events, the October preseason games will likely be cancelled in the near future.

The Blackhawks are scheduled to open the 2012-13 regular season at home on Oct. 13 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Regular season games will soon be in jeopardy, too, unless serious negotiations take place between the players and owners.

For the latest on all things Blackhawks, be sure to check out Second City Hockey and join the discussion.

NHL Lockout: Patrick Kane Joins Blackhawks' Informal Practices

Chicago Blackhawks players Patrick Kane and Daniel Carcillo joined teammates in a practice session arranged by captain Jonathan Toews on Wednesday, as Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reports. It's the second time that the players have gathered since the lockout was put into effect by the NHL on Saturday night.

Kane has generally stayed out of the public spotlight since being photographed partying during a block party in Madison, Wis., on Cinco de Mayo, as Kuc notes. Now he'll try to continue to focus on his game as the offseason extends with the played being locked out.

Among the other skaters on the ice were Dave Bolland, Jamal Mayers, Steve Montador and Patrick Sharp of the Blackhawks, Troy Brouwer of the Capitals, Brian Campbell of the Panthers and Mike Brown of the Maple Leafs.

For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey or stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more news, notes and analysis from around hockey, visit SB Nation's NHL news hub.

NHL Lockout: Chicago Blackhawks Not Yet Laying Off Employees

One of the saddest truths of lockouts in sports is that team employees are often unintended casualties. Teams in both the NBA and NFL slash employee salaries during their respective lockouts, and NHL teams like the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators have already begun to lay employees off due to the NHL's lockout. The Chicago Blackhawks, though, are not planning on joining those teams.

Team chairman Rocky Wirtz told reporters on Wednesday that the team isn't going to be making any changes to its personnel "for the foreseeable future." The lockout began at midnight on Saturday, and the NHL and NHLPA currently don't have any formal negotiating meetings scheduled.

The NHLis currently in its second lockout in less than a decade, but a resolution is not imminent with training camps and the preseason rapidly approaching.

For more on the Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey or stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more news, notes and analysis from around hockey, visit SB Nation's NHL news hub.

Blackhawks Continue Working Despite Lockout

The NHL lockout is officially in effect, but that has not stopped the Chicago Blackhawks from continuing their workouts. More than 25 players met in Chicago on Monday to hold their own practice after the NHL locked them out.

Former Blackhawks Troy Brouwer of the Washington Capitals and Brian Campbell of the Florida Panthers joined several current members of the team including Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp for the workout.

The NHL officially locked out its players at 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday night when the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHL Players' Association expired. There is no timeline for the two sides to meet or an expected end date to the lockout. The NHL cancelled the entire 2004-2005 season due to a lockout.

The Blackhawks ended last season with 101 points, good enough for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Chicago lost to the Phoenix Coyotes in six games in the first round of the playoffs.

For more on the Chicago Blackhawks, check out Second City Hockey. To keep up to date on the lockout and all things NHL, check out SB Nation's NHL hub.

NHLPA Releases Video Appeal To Fans During NHL Lockout

The third lockout of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's tenure has been in effect for a full day now. It went into place at midnight on Sunday morning, when the NHL and NHL Players' Association couldn't come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement. The two sides actually were not communicating near the deadline (which was set by the league), as they figured they were too far apart.

As it stands, the players are not getting paid and the teams cannot use their image for anything. Play is suspended until the two sides can come together. As is the usual case, both sides have started their PR war and as part of their side, the NHLPA released a video to appeal to fans, featuring players talking about playing and the large downside to the lockout.

A video like this, while definitely meaningful and containing plenty of truths from the players, is mostly meant to get the fans angry at the league. The players are pinning all of the blame on the owners and the league in general, with the general message of "we just want to play." Still, it's a two-sided lockout at this point, though with Bettman's track record, it's easy to take the side of the players in this video.

For all things Blackhawks, head over to Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey. For coverage from across the NHL, visit SB Nation's hockey hub.

NHL Lockout Update: League, Players' Association Not Talking In Advance Of Deadline

The NHL and the NHL Players' Association aren't talking just hours before a deadline that will force a work stoppage.

NHL Lockout 2012: Gary Bettman Says No NHL Season Without New CBA

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says no NHL season will take place without a new collective bargaining agreement in place, reports CTV, darkening fortunes before the lockout deadline of midnight on Saturday. Following a two-hour meeting with the NHL's board of governors, Bettman made clear his position:

"We've had seven years of incredible competitive balance...the game on the ice has never been better. But I'm not going to apologize for saying we need to adjust (the current system)."

Donald Fehr, head of the NHL Players' Association, sounded a bit more optimistic, saying "The players want to find a way to make an agreement. They want to negotiate until we do."

The two sides have recently come to agree on what constitutes hockey-related revenue, but an agreement about how to split that revenue is still not in sight. Under the expired deal, the players received 57 percent of revenue, but proposals from owners for a new deal have ranged from 43 to 49 percent.

Stick with this StoryStream for more developments as the lockout deadline approaches. For all things Blackhawks, head over to Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey. For coverage from across the NHL, visit SB Nation's hockey hub.

NHL Lockout Update: NHLPA Refuses Decrease In Player Salary, Blame Game Begins

The NHL and NHLPA continue to wrangle over the revenue split in negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.