Step One Done

Yesterday in Toronto the National Hockey League Players' Association overwhelmingly approved the new collective bargaining agreement reached with owners last week. This clears the way for the Board of Governors' meeting this afternoon at 1:00 (simulcast on NHL.com). The Board is expected to rubber stamp the deal and approved several rule changes designed to bring an infusion of offense. At 3:00, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will hold a news conference to discuss the deal and whatever rule changes were approved. At 4:00, the NHL will hold the draft lottery -- broadcast live in select American markets, of which Philadelphia is one, on Comcast Sportsnet -- to essentially determine who gets the prize that is Sidney Crosby. *I apologize for not getting on this sooner, but I was waiting for this to become official before I committed to it. **Also, there have been a number of good posts around the blog-world the last couple of weeks. Expect links and recaps shortly.