Good morning, good morning, it’s great to stay up late. Good morning, good morning, to you.

I seriously don’t even know what to do with myself at this point, so I’ve decided to start by bringing you all the news and notes from around Twitter and the blogosphere. Details (and rumours) continue to trickle out bit by bit, so hopefully this helps you put the picture together about when the season will start (likely Jan. 19th), when training camps will start (could be as late as Saturday) and all the rest of the details. Apologies to those of you who don’t care for the Twitter round-ups, but I find it’s the best way to share and source the information.

Let’s start with rumours!

Just a low rumble for now, but there are whispers KHL teams may be offering “inducements” to get RUS stars to stay and not return to NHL.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 7, 2013

 

In last 24 hours, multiple sources told me NHL teams would do well to have roll call because it’s possible a RUS player or two may not show.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 7, 2013

 

Two things to keep in mind: 1. Many RUS stars publicly stated earlier this season they might stay the entire the year in the KHL.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 7, 2013

 

2. NHL-KHL have post-Radulov pact to honor contracts. That said, been suggested to me this entire issue could heat up again. We’ll see.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 7, 2013

 

Players cannot stay in KHL if have valid NHL contract, under IIHF rules. Will become battle only if KHL or players challenge that.

— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) January 7, 2013

While in Russia, one star smiled and said see you “next year.” Wasn’t sure how to take it. Still expect to see him soon.

— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) January 7, 2013

 

Later, an NHLPA source told me some Russians might stay. But that was during bargaining. Now that there is a deal, we’ll see.

— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) January 7, 2013

 

Well, looks like Leo Komarov isn’t one of those Russians who may stay in the KHL. Then again, he isn’t really Russian. #MapleLeafs

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 7, 2013

 

Never fret, #stlblues fans. Tarasenko’s agent says Vladimir will fly to STL sometime this week

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 7, 2013

 

With Ovechkin’s quick return to DC, it is official: the new CBA doesn’t cut the existing contracts “too much” #exhale

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) January 7, 2013

 

Okay, that was enough on the whole Russian fears…let’s get to some other stuff.

#CBA Schedules have yet to be released, although Jan. 19 looks like most probable start date. Rangers have that home date available @ MSG

— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) January 7, 2013

 

It’s looking more and more like NHL training camps will open on Saturday with opening night on Jan 19.

— Tim Wharnsby (@WharnsbyCBC) January 7, 2013

 

Once Memorandum of Understanding finalized, NHL BOG to hold meeting likely on Wed. NHLPA ratification vote later in week. #cbcsports

— Tim Wharnsby (@WharnsbyCBC) January 7, 2013

 

Analysis: Breaking down the NHL’s new CBA bit.ly/UxItQe #hockey

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) January 7, 2013

 

Based on that analysis I tweeted earlier… guessing the league will want to opt out of the CBA in the summer of 2020. Suppose we’ll see.

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) January 7, 2013

 

Why a 48- or 50-game NHL season won’t be too compressed soc.li/AIIpgMP

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) January 7, 2013

 

Mirtle always offers excellent analysis, those columns are worth checking out.

Expect the #MapleLeafs to open the 2012-13 season on the road, with 48-game sked likely option, and ACC booked on opening night..

— David Alter (@DavidAlter590) January 7, 2013

Columbus’ beat writer Aaron Portzline has a quote from new team GM John Davidson that I think we’ll be seeing from a lot of people in the coming days…

#CBJ president of hockey operations John Davidson: “To those who have stuck with us, I want to thank them,” he said. “To those who don’t …

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 7, 2013

 

“… want to come back, I want to thank them for the time they’ve shared with us, and I will do my best to try and win them back. That …

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 7, 2013

 

“… is our job, in a nutshell. The fans are our lifeblood.”

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 7, 2013

 

And what does our friend Pierre LeBrun of TSN/ESPN have to say…

NHL is proposing April 5 trade deadline regardless of start date. But NHLPA and NHL still haven’t agreed on critical dates. So we’ll see …

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 6, 2013

 

Further to what I reported earlier today, confirmed now that NHL’s Board of Governors meeting is Wednesday in NYC (to vote on new agreement)

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 7, 2013

 

NHL sent out memo to teams tonight saying Jan 19 puck drop is most probable, however if ratification process goes fast, Jan 15 still in play

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) January 7, 2013

And some technical stuff from Elliotte Friedman of CBC:

Salary arbitration walkaways: cannot happen unless player award is at least $3.5 million, indexed to increase every year at rate salaries do

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 6, 2013

 

Olympics will be side negotiation, but both sides want to go. Re-alignment (not for this year, though) remains unsettled for future

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 6, 2013

 

As we’ve done in the past when big news is breaking, we’ll keep updating this post throughout the day with all the tidbits you won’t want to miss.

We’re back, bitches!

***

UPDATES:

For the shortened 2012-13 NHL season, there’s talk of an April 5 trade deadline and July 5 start to free agency. Still to be settled.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 6, 2013

 

Assuming neither side opts out of the CBA after eight years, the NHL’s tentative deal will expire Sept. 15, 2022.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 6, 2013

 

Things I should personally note that aren’t covered in here: there has been no decision made on whether or not the players will go to Sochi for the 2014 Olympics yet, that will be discussed as a side deal. Rumours, though, indicate that both sides want to go, so that’s good.

Also: I expect a schedule later this week, after the deal is (hopefully) ratified Wednesday.

Time for more…the next one is a fun one:

#Bruins Milan Lucic clearly not in hockey shape. Extended water breaks & took a knee to catch breath many times @7news twitter.com/DarrenMHaynes/…

— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) January 7, 2013

January 19th could be NHL opening night. Edm vs Calg, Pitt vs Philly, Montreal vs Boston, Chicago vs Detroit, ect. That could be fun

— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) January 7, 2013