NHL/SOCCER: June 27,2005

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Philadelphia Flyers center Jeremy Roenick believes that NHL players are going to give up more than any union has ever given up in the history of professional sports when the league's new collective bargaining agreement is finally completed, reported the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.He also feels that will be sufficient to draw fans - many of whom blamed the bulk of the labour dispute on the players - back to the game. -- Edmonton Sun

On the other hand, hockey's new agreement had to be done completely from scratch, and no steps forward were taken until the NHLPA and the players themselves came to the realization the whole thing would be on their backs. Blame the NHLPA - especially Bob Goodenow - for a new CBA not being negotiated in time to save the lost season. However, don't compare what happened in the last couple of months to what went down with the basketballers. -- Edmonton Sun

This summer has all the makings of a reality TV show -- take one of the most free-spending teams in the sports world, give the GM in the range of $10 million and challenge him to fill in two-thirds of his roster. That's the challenge confronting John Ferguson, who has $26.6 million already tied up in eight players, with the cap expected to come in around $36 million. Solution? Start by ridding himself of big-ticket/small-return players such as Owen Nolan with the reported two-thirds buyout clause in the new deal, using those savings on one or two cheaper, younger players.Or don't retain a favorite son, such as free agents Gary Roberts or Tie Domi, and give a spot to a deserving Marlie. Gamble that the fans who worship such players will comprehend the logic. -- Toronto Sun

NHL sources say while the league and the NHL Players' Association have agreed on many structural issues, they still need to decide whether the players will have their contracts honoured next season. Sources say the league has informed the players there is no reason to honour the contracts because the players were locked out and the time on the contracts have passed. --The Ottawa Sun

As the NHL and the NHL Players' Association edge closer to a collective agreement, the league's 30 teams are beginning to refill the hundreds of jobs lost because of the season-long lockout.The league's website, nhl.com, has a job board which as of yesterday had posted 36 job openings ranging from financial analyst ( New Jersey Devils) to pom-pom girl ( Florida Panthers).The new NHL is apparently poised to adopt the European trend to cheerleaders with Florida as the groundbreaker.The Panthers are putting together what they call "a spirited, outgoing squad that will entertain the crowd at all home games," according to the notice. --The Toronto Star

It's not the famous Manchester United, however, it's a fledging semi-pro club called United of Manchester.16-year-old Barry Harrison, who is just five foot four, was one of 200 players hoping to earn a spot with the breakaway club, which was formed by about 3,000 disgruntled fans just weeks after American billionaire Malcolm Glazer bought Manchester United in May. -- The Associated Press

U.S. national team midfielder Eddie Lewis signed Thursday with Leeds United of the English First Division.If Lewis is granted a work permit by the English government, he will move from Preston North End, where his contract expired.Lewis, 30, agreed to a two-year contract with Leeds. He previously has played for Fulham and Preston North End. He is a regular for the American national squad, which will resume its World Cup qualifying play in August. -- The Associated Press

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has insisted star midfielder Michael Essien and teammates Mahamadou Diarra and Juninho will stay at the Ligue 1 champions despite interest in the trio from Europe's top clubs --The Guardian ( UK

Liverpool are expected to open talks with Steven Gerrard today over an extension to his contract in an effort to deflect long-standing interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea. --The Guardian ( UK