NHLPA Makes Intriguing Offer to NHL
Posted 10:08 AM ET | Comments 0
Yesterday, when Donald Fehr stood at a microphone answering questions from the media with some familiar faces of the league behind him, giving some details about the NHLPA cba proposal to the NHL and it's owners, he made it clear the players are willing to make concessions to get back on the ice. The question now is how will the league respond?
We know that Commisioner Bettman made a short statement, making it known that the owners would be going over the offer and checking all of its intricacies. He said that there could be a response within a day, but it is anticipated that they could need more time to make all of the verbage clear. As previously mentioned, what is clear is the players willingness to allow the league to have it's cake, and eat it too. The players want to do what they do best---play the games they are scheduled to play. There is also the element that after 3 seasons under this deal, if accepted, that the old cba could be put back into effect.
One of the more interesting points of the offer is that revenue for some of the smaller market teams could be on the rise with some more extreme elements of sharing. The salary jumps, will be minimal by all accounts. The needle will move at around 2% per season. Also, Fehr made it clear in his statement to reinforce the players sentiment, that he anticipates the players waiting into the season if necessary to get a deal done.
The players are clearly buying into Fehr, and he is buying into them. The solidarity is palpable. It appears to be a very positive step towards getting a deal done. I may even go as far as to say that the offer may be one that the league cannot refuse. Right now, based on the concessions the players are willing to make a season's chances look promising.
We know that Commisioner Bettman made a short statement, making it known that the owners would be going over the offer and checking all of its intricacies. He said that there could be a response within a day, but it is anticipated that they could need more time to make all of the verbage clear. As previously mentioned, what is clear is the players willingness to allow the league to have it's cake, and eat it too. The players want to do what they do best---play the games they are scheduled to play. There is also the element that after 3 seasons under this deal, if accepted, that the old cba could be put back into effect.
One of the more interesting points of the offer is that revenue for some of the smaller market teams could be on the rise with some more extreme elements of sharing. The salary jumps, will be minimal by all accounts. The needle will move at around 2% per season. Also, Fehr made it clear in his statement to reinforce the players sentiment, that he anticipates the players waiting into the season if necessary to get a deal done.
The players are clearly buying into Fehr, and he is buying into them. The solidarity is palpable. It appears to be a very positive step towards getting a deal done. I may even go as far as to say that the offer may be one that the league cannot refuse. Right now, based on the concessions the players are willing to make a season's chances look promising.