ST. PAUL, Minn. - The NHLs motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought by former players over concussion-related injuries was heard in court Thursday, and the federal judge assigned to the case said she saw legal strength in the arguments from both sides.I think its a very close call, to be honest, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson said, near the end of the five-hour hearing.Nelson didnt make a ruling. She gave no timetable for her decision.The former players have been seeking unspecified financial damages and NHL-funded medical monitoring for neurological disorders, alleging the league had the knowledge and resources to better prevent head trauma, failed to properly warn players of such risks and promoted violent play that led to their injuries.The case is similar to that of the former NFL players who received at least $765 million through a tentative settlement to cover nearly 20,000 players over 65 years.This combination of several lawsuits by more than 200 former NHL players was formally filed in October. As a class-action complaint, the litigation effectively covers the estimated 5,000 living former NHL players. Dan LaCouture, Michael Peluso, Gary Leeman, Bernie Nicholls, David Christian and Reed Larson are the former players serving as six class representatives.Attorneys for the NHL made two arguments for dismissal of the lawsuit: pre-emption and statute of limitations. The gist is that the leagues collective bargaining agreement with the players should pre-empt the claim, subjecting the dispute to the National Labor Relations Board, and that a tort claim such as this cannot be made past the six-year window for raising them.Lawyers for the players countered that the CBA no longer applies to retired players, who didnt know at the time of their injuries how they would eventually affect them.In making the point for dismissal on the statute of limitations, NHL attorney John Beisner referred to expansive details on concussion-related trouble for the players that took up significant space in the original complaint. The leagues argument is that the players cant pick and choose by claiming post-career injuries without alluding to the long-ago dates those first hits to the head occurred.What is the aha event here that starts the clock running again? Beisner said.In arguing against the statute of limitations for the players and their claims, attorney Mark Bradford said the issue isnt simply about concussions that occurred immediately after hits to the head on the ice. Its about permanent neurological problems that arose later, he said.The lawsuit blames the NHL for taking no action to reduce the number and severity of concussions during a study period from 1997 to 2004. The penalty for targeting a players head wasnt instituted until 2010.The leagues argument to that is the information on head trauma is available to the public. It wrote previously that players should have been able to put two and two together to realize the risks. Bradford argued for the players that the message, then, is they should have double-checked the NHLs work in the concussions study.NHL attorney Joseph Baumgarten argued for the CBA precedence. If players suffered a concussion during their careers, Baumgarten said, they were covered then by the CBA even though retirees arent. No examination of the league-player relationship, he said, can take place without recognizing the CBA.Stephen Grygiel, an attorney for the players, argued that retirees have no post-career leverage in negotiating CBA terms. Since brain injuries came to light later, coverage of their concussions by the CBA was moot.They could not go to the union then or seek representation for a claim they didnt know they had, Grygiel said.Nelson was the judge who temporarily lifted the NFL lockout in 2011, ruling against that league.She asked the most questions Thursday regarding the dispute about whether or not the CBA should take precedence in this case. At one point, when Baumgarten referred to the NFL Players Associations past decertification in order to bring forward a class-action lawsuit, Nelson said, I know a little bit about that. Wholesale Panthers Jerseys . 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Cheap Panthers Jerseys China .com) - Wayne Simmonds, Scott Laughton and Jakub Voracek each posted a goal and an assist as the Philadelphia Flyers thumped the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1, on Saturday.DB: What was going through your mind on that penalty shot, take us through that.Joey: Well, you know I went in and I knew I was gonna deke, but then I changed my mind and went with the shot. I was thinking I was gonna take, but then was like, wait a second I dont like what Im seeing, so I shot.DB: What did Michelle say to you during the 2nd intermission? You seemed to be a completely different player in the 3rd period.Joey: Um, I think she said, "Are you drunk? Have you been drinking on the bench?" And I said, "No, I was drinking in the locker room, it was much different.DB: There were reports that you werent going to play in the game out of fear of being embarrassed by Stoewall? Are these reports true?Joey: They are true, you know he was a very intimidating force. So, you dont wanna have second thoughts, but I was having them. But sometimes you gotta suck it up and forge ahead.DB: How long have you been a Red Wings fan?Joey: Ive been a Red Wings fan since I was in my moms womb and I remember, I think it was when I was conceived I heard the words, "He shoots, he scores!"(photo: The Awesome Boston)DB: You famously have a lot of red wings things in your room in the basement, what do you have?Joey: I have several jerseys. I actually have a Hartford Whalers jersey and a couple Hartford Whalers things down there too. (Breaks character and says the following as himself) Those actually werent put there by me, those were the set director, who knew nothing about hockey. And I kept asking the Red Wings organization to send me Red Wings stuff. So, I would replace the Hartford Whalers stuff slowly over time with Red Wings stuff.DB: Can you compare the twins wwith the Sedins?Joey: I think so, well theyre roughly the same size, right? Mary Kate, great hands.dddddddddddd. Ashley, more of a checking forward, more of a backchecker, more of a defensive player. Shed probably win the Selke.(photo: Zimbio.com)DB: Apparently DJ married a Bure, were you invited to the wedding?Joey: I was invited to the wedding. I set DJ up with a Bure. Yes, when he was with the Montreal Canadiens, I met Val Bure at a charity hockey game. And he and his brother Pavel, apperently what they told me is they learned how to speak english by watching Full House rewinds.(Reddit)DB: Are you on this team and who is this guy? (pictured above)Joey: Yes, this is the classic Jesse and the Rippers hockey team, but I dont know this particular guy. Im actually working on making a Woodchucks hockey jersey. Itll have a little face with a thought bubble above his head that says, "Is that made of wood?" or "Is that stick made of wood?"DB: Can you go Bardown?Joey: Can I go Bardown? I can go socks up, I can go underwear down, I can go cup to the left, cup to the right. And you know what? I can Zizzle.Earlier today, Dave Coulier was on TSNs Off The Record with Michael Landsberg where he told this amazing story about drinking out of the Stanley Cup with Chris Chelios and partying with Kid Rock. Also, wait till the end for the hilarious Mike Babcock impersonation. Dave Coulier will be at Yuk Yuks in Toronto tonight, as well as Yuk Yuks in Mississauga Friday and Saturday night. You can buy tickets on his website davecoulier.com.You can also purchase his up coming stand up special, "Glorified Birthday Clown" on his website as well. ' ' '