Dominick Hasek plans to retire this summer if the labor dispute between the NHL and the players association isn't resolved.

"There is too much uncertainty, and I don't know what is going to happen," Hasek said. " I am eager to get back on the ice and play great hockey for one more year. That's my goal. But if it lingers, and the agreement is not signed by the summer, my kids will go back to school in the Czech Republic and I won't play hockey any more."

Hasek also ruled out playing in the Czech Republic. " The NHL was everything for me, and my dream is to win the Stanley Cup one more time," he said. "No I won't play hockey. My concentration is to be in the NHL."

How many retirements has he had now? wink

Seriously he's had more farewell tours than Cher.

Following Hasek's lead, I will also retire if there's no settlement--of course, I'll be living in a cardboard box by a freeway onramp, but we all have to make sacrifices. wink

I had the opportunity to speak with Luc Robitaille this weekend about his future. He says he has made no decision about coming back, but believes the NHL and NHLPA will begin meetings again in early April. If they are able to come to an agreement, his current thinking is to return for a 2005/2006 season if "real" players are welcomed back rather than replacement ones. He thinks Messier, Yzerman, Chelios, et al will also return for one final year, in part to have the farewell tour & to help the game get back on its feet (skates? wink ) Robitaille says he's been training just like he always does and has been joined by some of his friends.

~Adam

That would be some farewell tour. Imagine if Gretzky came out of retirement to join them. With the new rules they're planning and if they get rid of the trap, he might be able to rack up some points. wink

Adam, how is it that you got to speak to Luc? Was it in a darkened garage by any chance?

Luc and I both took part in a charity golf tournament raising money for prostate cancer research. He was in a foursome about three in front of mine, so after the event, I had the opportunity to speak with him. Fortunately, it was in the open-air, away from those garage fumes, for once. wink

~Adam

It sounds like Luc may be reconsidering and still wants to play. Last year, I saw him interviewed by Kelly Hrudey, and he seemed quite certain he would not return to the game in the event of a lengthy work stoppage. Just a few weeks ago, I saw another interview with Luc, who always seems so chatty and affable, something to which I think Adam can attest. This time, Luc wasn't talking about his own future but was heaping praise on hockey's new poster boy, Sidney Crosby (incidentally, 17 year-old Crosby is already reaping big rewards without having yet played in the NHL...it was announced yesterday that he has signed a five-year deal with Reebok worth $2.5 million).

A little off-topic, but rather than start a separate thread...Canadians have been consumed with the shocking murder of four RCMP officers here in Alberta last week, but there was a hockey story connected with this sad event. On Monday night in the tiny town of Mayerthorpe (scene of the tragedy), hundreds of people showed up at the small arena to cheer on the local RCMP hockey team play an 'old timers' team. Apparently some of the deceased officers had been slated to play in the game. Rather than cancel the game, it was decided that playing it would be a nice tribute to the RCMP and assist in the healing process.

Keeping this thread off-topic, what are the incidents behind the murder of the four RCMP officers, marc? It's rather ennobling that they played the "old-timers' game" and that many in the town turned out to cheer them on.

Back on topic: Luc Robitaille is a lovely guy, chatty and goofy. I got the sense that he feels he owes the game something & wants to be a part of its rebuilding process; that attitude may be behind his desire to play another year, if a new CBA can be worked out. I think that attitude may be behind Messier, Yzerman, and Chelios as well--but I wonder if a grand farewell tour is what the NHL needs as it tries to come back from the current abyss.

~Adam

Adam, at first the official line was that it was essentially a drug bust gone terribly wrong, but as it turns out the marijuana 'grow-op' was actually quite modest in size. The reality was the RCMP were dealing with a known violent criminal and pedophile, who hated the police, had a large stash of illegal weapons and who had terrorized his community for years. This National Post article may be helpful. A nationally-televised memorial service is being held this afternoon in Edmonton for the slain Mounties; it is expected that more than 15,000 people will be attending, including many police officers from across Canada and the United States.

BTW, although I've never met Luc Robitaille, I agree with your assessment based on what I've seen on TV. A very likable guy with a good sense of humour. With the Kings having acquired Craig Conroy from the Flames, you will have at least two media/fan-friendly veterans, and both easy on the eyes too!