NHLPA is pondering CBA option, and Toews discussed escrow as concern

As the NHL awaits the NHLPA's decision on whether it'll opt to reopen the collective bargaining agreement, Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is concerned about one of the biggest potential sticking points between the two sides: escrow.

Escrow takes a portion of the players' salaries and puts them in a pool. The league then determines how much of that pool has to be paid to the owners in order to reach a 50/50 revenue split. The setup was agreed upon during CBA discussions in 2013, and Toews isn't a fan.

"I'm no financial expert," Toews told John Dietz of the Daily Herald at the end of last season. "All I see is that I've signed a contract and to me, it's not exactly being honored. So I don't care what business you're in - to me, that's kind of ridiculous."

As Dietz notes, players used to receive their escrow back. Now, due to a rising salary cap that's led to heftier contracts, and revenues that have failed to keep up with those larger agreements, players lose in excess of 10% of their annual salaries due to escrow.

"They've done a good job of making the players look like the greedy ones in the past several lockouts, and I wouldn't be surprised if they try to do it again," Toews continued. "To me, it's pretty black and white."

The NHL officially declined its option to reopen negotiations Aug. 30, a decision "based on the current state of the game and the business of the game."

The NHLPA executive board meets Wednesday to discuss its side of the matter and has until Sept. 15 to make a final decision. If the players opt to reopen talks, the current CBA will be terminated in September 2020. If they decline their option, the CBA will run through the 2021-22 campaign.

"There's obvious incentive for the NHL owners to have (escrow)," Toews said. "They get money back, depending on their performance. So now that responsibility falls on the player."

Toews signed an eight-year, $84-million contract with the Blackhawks in 2014. His $10.5-million annual cap hit is the fourth-richest among all NHL centers.

The 31-year-old appeared in all 82 games for Chicago in 2018-19, registering a career-high 81 points in his 12th NHL season.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Williams taking break from NHL

Justin Williams is taking a break from the NHL and will not join the Carolina Hurricanes for the start of the 2019-20 season, the 37-year-old announced Monday.

"This is the first time in my life that I've felt unsure of my aspirations with regards to hockey," Williams said. "For as long as I can remember, my whole offseason until this point has been hockey and doing what was necessary to prepare for the upcoming season. Because of my current indecision, and without the type of mental and physical commitment that I'm accustomed to having, I've decided to step away from the game."

Williams is an unrestricted free agent, but he made it clear that he would only re-sign with the Hurricanes if he decided to return for the upcoming campaign.

"We appreciate Justin's honesty and openness throughout this process, and respect his decision," said Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell. "He's been an important part of our team, but we did prepare our roster with the understanding that he might step away. We are confident in the group we've assembled."

The 6-foot-1 winger, who played for Carolina from 2003-09, rejoined the club on a two-year deal ahead of the 2017-18 campaign. Williams tallied 23 goals and 53 points in 2018-19 to help end the Hurricanes' 10-year playoff drought.

The 18-year veteran recorded 312 goals and 786 points over 1,244 career contests between the Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and Washington Capitals. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Williams also captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP with the Kings in 2014.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Reaves, Kane renew feud with dueling chirps

There appears to be no offseason for the verbal jousting between Vegas Golden Knights agitator Ryan Reaves and San Jose Sharks sniper Evander Kane.

Reaves revived the spat with a playful jab while presiding over a hockey-themed renewal of vows on Sunday, calling himself "Kane's worst nightmare," among other nicknames.

Over to you, Evander.

The two players went at each other repeatedly last season, most notably in a heated bout during Game 3 of a first-round playoff series, after which Kane likened Reaves to "The Muffin Man."

San Jose prevailed following a controversial Game 7.

Kane and Reaves won't be waiting long to renew hostilities on the ice. The Golden Knights and Sharks will meet twice in the preseason later this month, including both clubs' final exhibition matchup. Then they'll battle in consecutive home-and-home contests to start the regular season in early October.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Watch: Bob Plager takes Stanley Cup to brother Barclay’s grave

Bob Plager brought something special to his brother's grave on Sunday.

The former Blues defenseman took the Stanley Cup to the site in St. Louis where Barclay Plager - also a former blue-liner for the team - is buried.

Bob led a toast for Barclay and other deceased players.

The day was truly a family affair.

After playing parts of three seasons with the New York Rangers, Bob Plager was selected by the Blues in the 1967 expansion draft and joined them for their inaugural season in 1967-68. He suited up for the club until the end of his career in 1977-78.

He lived in St. Louis after retiring and remained close to the team, according to Chris Pinkert of the club's official website.

Barclay Plager played 10 seasons with the Blues from 1967-77 and served in various roles with the team following his retirement, including a pair of stints as head coach. He died in 1988 after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

The youngest Plager brother, Billy, also played defense for the Blues, spending parts of four campaigns with the team from 1968-72. He died in 2016 and is buried in Peterborough, Ontario.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Blues sign Barbashev to 2-year, $2.95M deal

The St. Louis Blues have inked forward Ivan Barbashev to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.475 million, the club announced on Sunday.

Barbashev was a restricted free agent, and the final player on the Blues' roster in need of a new pact.

The 23-year-old recorded 14 goals and 26 points while appearing in 80 regular-season games for St. Louis last season, adding six points in 25 playoff contests en route to a Stanley Cup championship.

Barbashev, who primarily played a fourth-line role in 2018-19, has spent his three NHL seasons with the Blues, the team that drafted him 33rd overall in 2014.

Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.