CBA Related Penguins GM Shero hopes third time charm

[DinahMoeHumm]

Published: Thursday, September 20, 2012, 7:58 p.m.

Updated 11 hours ago

Penguins general manger Ray Shero would like for this third time to be a charm.

For that to happen, this NHL lockout — the league’s third since 1994 — must end before a significant chunk (1994-95) or the entire (2004-05) season is bagged.

Shero was an assistant general manager with Ottawa and Nashville during those lockouts. This is his first since taking control of the Penguins in May 2006.

“There is no benefit to having gone through it before,” Shero said Thursday.

He met with his staff Wednesday, instructing them “to be ready for training camp to start tomorrow.”

That can’t happen.

The NHL has canceled its exhibition schedule through Sept. 30, and there are no scheduled negotiations between the league and union through at least Friday. The sides have not negotiated since Sept. 12.

On that date, Shero, an alternate governor for the Penguins, attended a Board of Governors meeting in New York along with team CEO David Morehouse and COO Travis Williams. Shero said he is familiar with the specifics of the dispute between owners and players.

He does not know when that dispute will be settled, though.

Instead of watching training camp practices this weekend at Consol Energy Center, Shero is preparing for the start of AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s camp Sept. 28.

Pending the length of the lockout, Shero said he will scout some of the Penguins’ prospects in college and junior hockey. He will consider attending a tournament in Europe.

He must stay busy in ways other than contacting players. That means no checking in with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby or new third-line center Brandon Sutter.

“That’s kind of the weird thing,” Shero said. “Back in April, you’re all pulling for one another. Now you’re on different sides. But the thing to remember is everybody is going to be in eventually.”

Coaches are prepared for a camp that would last as few as seven days, Shero said.

He talked with most players before the last collective bargaining agreement expired Sept. 15. He was not aware of any significant injuries; all players passed season-ending physicals after a first-round Stanley Cup playoff loss to Philadelphia.

Shero anticipates working out AHL contracts with Penguins players who are eligible. He declined to provide names, but targets likely would include forward Eric Tangradi, defensemen Brian Strait and Robert Bortuzzo, and goalie Brad Thiessen.

Penguins union representative Craig Adams said he wouldn’t begrudge any AHL-eligible teammate signing with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The Penguins were to enter camp with about $62 million committed to the salary cap. The NHL’s last proposal included a $58 million salary cap for the upcoming season. “Unless you weren’t paying attention, and I said it two years ago, you knew the current CBA wasn’t going to be in place,” Shero said. “Now that day is upon us. I think we’re well-positioned.”

Rob Rossi is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at rrossi@tribweb.com

[idahophilly]

Pending the length of the lockout, Shero said he will scout some of the Penguins’ prospects in college and junior hockey. He will consider attending a tournament in Europe.

He must stay busy in ways other than contacting players. That means no checking in with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby or new third-line center Brandon Sutter.

Well, atleast we know what 1 GM is up to during the lockout. I'm gonna post the highlighted text in my "What are the coaches up to" post...

[DinahMoeHumm]

@idahophilly: I would *think* that some other coaches and GMs are doing similar things? I'm not really too sure, this is one of the first articles I've read on the topic since the lockout began. Though I admittedly haven't scoured the web seeking them out either.

[SlapShot66]

There are some players playing over seas and I hope the players get their heads out of their butts, shut their 5 hole and play hockey !!!

[hf101]

There are some players playing over seas and I hope the players get their heads out of their butts, shut their 5 hole and play hockey !!!

If you're talking about Bryzgalov.....that is an impossibility.

[SlapShot66]

I mean players like Ovechkin who is currently in the KHL I believe.

[Polaris922]

There are some players playing over seas and I hope the players get their heads out of their butts, shut their 5 hole and play hockey !!!

Greed is a terrible thing. Both sides of this issue have it. Nothing to do but wait.

[SlapShot66]

I wonder if there will be a quick end to the lockout once the players start missing their paychecks ???

[jammer2]

@SlapShot66 There is a point where the players will lose so much, they can't get it back, no matter what the eventual deal is...but Donald has kept them a pretty tight unit, and I imagine the war chest of the NHLPA can help any players save a house etc....so sure they miss the cash, but they are united....for now.