While both sides are partly to blame, the NHLPA is more responsible for this sh!tstorm.

It's important to realize why the previous CBA didn't work for the owners. Way too many people don't understand the fundamental problems with this CBA, and of those who do virtually no one has come up with a solution that addresses those problems long-term. If one doesn't understand what the problems in the 2005 CBA are (hint: it's not escalating player salaries in the "2nd contract" or players getting 11-15 year, $70-124 million deals or revenue sharing that's not sufficient, or "loser teams in bad markets" or any of the oft-cited excuses that are really symptoms of the problems) it's hard to understand exactly what needs to be fixed.

Simply reducing the share of revenues the players get won't fix things; it will only put a Band-Aid on the problem, which will re-appear in another 6 years or so and potentially result in yet another lockout and delayed season.
- Irish Blues

Thank god that there is one person out there that really knows what the problems are. Have you called Bettman yet? Get on it, so we can get this season going. Let us know how it goes.

You don’t have to explain it to us, it’s likely much too complicated for our feeble minds.

Yeah I do.... He is never wrong and always knows everything. Im just calling it how I see it.
- Flyers_1488

Oh, thanks for clarifying. I was under the impression that maybe you didn't like what he was saying, but weren't willing or able to put together an informed and reasonable response. Glad we could clear this up.

Eklund: Source: "NHL Extremely Interested in PA Proposal"
- Eklund

I am extremely interested in them all (frank)ing themselves.

While both sides are partly to blame, the NHLPA is more responsible for this sh!tstorm.
- As_I_See_It

Because they are the ones signing 12 year 100 million dollar contracts?

Are you a player? A member of the NHLPA? You seem to stand out to me as one of the very few on here that share your side of these thoughts. To me it is quite simple what needs to be fixed. Player salaries are too high and too many teams are not making money. The players are flourishing but teams are struggling. I can't stand the arrogant, self entitled, spoiled brat player attitudes. The old CBA has EXPIRED. That is why there is a term on it because as things change it needs to change. The players are blind to this and want it all to just stay the same. You cant operate a business with all of the other expenses when you are starting at only 43% of total revenues.
- Donnie27J

Whether I'm a player or a member of the NHLPA is irrelvant. Your correct, things do need to change. And the players are willing to change going forward and take a lesser players share. Tell me what is the League prepared to do to help the struggling teams. Thier solution is again to have the players pay the full bill. The players proposal is a compromise of having both sides work together to help the League.

Oh, thanks for clarifying. I was under the impression that maybe you didn't like what he was saying, but weren't willing or able to put together an informed and reasonable response. Glad we could clear this up.
- BulliesPhan87

Why should I compile a rational response as this self-assessed intellectual has a response (non-assesed) for everything under the visible cosmos. To a large extent he admonishes you in a subliminal way to agree with him. NOT! Verbosity for the sake of verbosity is an exercise for the medicocre and mundane...I'd rather watch reruns of the 11 PM News....LOL


This guy has an answer for everything. He makes you agree with him. He's the "...its my way or no way " kind of guy.

What do you care anyways? He is a big boy and can defend himself?

Simply reducing the share of revenues the players get won't fix things; it will only put a Band-Aid on the problem, which will re-appear in another 6 years or so and potentially result in yet another lockout and delayed season.
- Irish Blues

Exactly! And that's what the League wants to do.

Because they are the ones signing 12 year 100 million dollar contracts?
- Scooby_Doo

Yep, they held a gun to the Owners head to force them to offer the players those deals.

Thank god that there is one person out there that really knows what the problems are. Have you called Bettman yet? Get on it, so we can get this season going. Let us know how it goes.
- prock

Bettman and Daly thought the Global Agreement that approved the Kovalchuk contract would end ultra-long, front-loaded contracts. [Remind me and everyone else how that's worked out.] You really think they're capable of putting together something that really helps out small-market teams long-term so we're not back in this same position in 4-6 years?

You don’t have to explain it to us, it’s likely much too complicated for our feeble minds.
- prock

Tell you what, feeble-minded simpleton: why don't you try to explain what the core problem is with this CBA, I'll let you know where you start to fail to understand basic math.

Exactly! And that's what the League wants to do.
- MJL

Except, they're not. They're trying to paper over the real problem.

Except, they're not. They're trying to paper over the real problem.
- Irish Blues

I agree 100%

It's my belief, and this is pure speculation on my part. That if the League would offer a true and real solution to the core economic issues, and bite off their share of the pie as far as the richer teams helping out the struggling teams. I feel as though the PA would accept some type of salary cut to existing salaries as part of a compromise to the help the health of the League. Although not nearly as much as the League is asking for. But as it stands now where the League wants to players to pay the entire bill. I don't see the PA moving off of their current proposal. Both sides need to compromise further. But in my opinion, only the players to this point have offered any compromise.

Why should I compile a rational response as this self-assessed intellectual has a response (non-assesed) for everything under the visible cosmos. To a large extent he admonishes you in a subliminal way to agree with him. NOT! Verbosity for the sake of verbosity is an exercise for the medicocre and mundane...I'd rather watch reruns of the 11 PM News....LOL


This guy has an answer for everything. He makes you agree with him. He's the "...its my way or no way " kind of guy.

What do you care anyways? He is a big boy and can defend himself?
- Flyers_1488

Maybe you should compile a rational response because this is a forum and that's what intelligent people do. Why is having an opinion on everything hockey on a hockey forum wrong? Because you constantly find yourself unable to actually compile said response? Sorry you can't keep up with two measly paragraphs, heaven forbid. And the only way his posts are 'non-assessed' is because you've failed to actually produce ANY form of counter-argument.

Maybe he has a response to everything because, gasp, he's a fan of the sport and follows what's going on. Are you seriously admonishing a poster for having an opinion and wanting to discuss? What a crime! As for 'my way or no way', what is he supposed to do? Disagree with himself?

And I care because too many posters get sore over not having a response to posters such as he, disrupting conversation for nothing except ego. If you're fine with being passive-aggressive and not actually conversating, cool beans.


If that's too verbose for you, then here's the short version: How about bringing something to the discussion other than whining about him multiple times in one page?

Bettman and Daly thought the Global Agreement that approved the Kovalchuk contract would end ultra-long, front-loaded contracts.
- Irish Blues[Remind me and everyone else how that's worked out.] You really think they're capable of putting together something that really helps out small-market teams long-term so we're not back in this same position in 4-6 years?

I know I KNOW. That's why you're here, to explain it to them. Have you called them yet?

Tell you what, feeble-minded simpleton: why don't you try to explain what the core problem is with this CBA, I'll let you know where you start to fail to understand basic math.
- Irish Blues

I already said it's beyond my comprehension. Save your time, don't try to explain it to a half-wit like me.

1+1 = 3 right?

Whether I'm a player or a member of the NHLPA is irrelvant. Your correct, things do need to change. And the players are willing to change going forward and take a lesser players share. Tell me what is the League prepared to do to help the struggling teams. Thier solution is again to have the players pay the full bill. The players proposal is a compromise of having both sides work together to help the League.
- MJL

...and that proposal of theirs goes back to status quo after 3 years. how does that help anything long term?

...and that proposal of theirs goes back to status quo after 3 years. how does that help anything long term?
- Donnie27J

I agree. That's one area where the players can move from.

Maybe you should compile a rational response because this is a forum and that's what intelligent people do. Why is having an opinion on everything hockey on a hockey forum wrong? Because you constantly find yourself unable to actually compile said response? Sorry you can't keep up with two measly paragraphs, heaven forbid. And the only way his posts are 'non-assessed' is because you've failed to actually produce ANY form of counter-argument.

Maybe he has a response to everything because, gasp, he's a fan of the sport and follows what's going on. Are you seriously admonishing a poster for having an opinion and wanting to discuss? What a crime! As for 'my way or no way', what is he supposed to do? Disagree with himself?

And I care because too many posters get sore over not having a response to posters such as he, disrupting conversation for nothing except ego. If you're fine with being passive-aggressive and not actually conversating, cool beans.


If that's too verbose for you, then here's the short version: How about bringing something to the discussion other than whining about him multiple times in one page?


- BulliesPhan87

Start a twitter account then maybe one person will care what you post....

Your a

I agree. That's one area where the players can move from.
- MJL

I agree with you as well. If their proposal included the commitment to stay at those adjusted levels, I think the league would be very open to looking at some way to make that work. MJL, what is your thought on this. Why are the players adamant that they will not play for less, but then go overseas and play for even less?

Start a twitter account then maybe one person will care what you post....

Your a
- Flyers_1488

lmao you're so mad

I agree with you as well. If their proposal included the commitment to stay at those adjusted levels, I think the league would be very open to looking at some way to make that work. MJL, what is your thought on this. Why are the players adamant that they will not play for less, but then go overseas and play for even less?
- Donnie27J

Because playing overseas for less is more then playing no where for nothing. It's short term solution to make some money to play Hockey. The CBA fight is for the long term. At least as long as the CBA is signed for.

lmao you're so mad
- BulliesPhan87

Well done BP87

Because playing overseas for less is more then playing no where for nothing. It's short term solution to make some money to play Hockey. The CBA fight is for the long term. At least as long as the CBA is signed for.
- MJL

ok. So, foregoing the opportunity to play for more money, and accepting a postion to play for less money, even temporarily, that takes another's job away is ok? Did you see that Bobby Ryan's comments were adamantly and openly against playing over there? Obviously a different take from him than most other players.

ok. So, foregoing the opportunity to play for more money, and accepting a postion to play for less money, even temporarily, that takes another's job away is ok? Did you see that Bobby Ryan's comments were adamantly and openly against playing over there? Obviously a different take from him than most other players.
- Donnie27J

In answer to your question. No I don't think it's fair that NHL players are going overseas to play, and taking jobs away from other players. But life isn't fair. And NHL players are being offered spots on overseas teams because they are drawing cards and put people in the seats. And make teams better. That's just the reality of it. And whoever those players are that are losing jobs to NHL players are getting screwed.

In answer to your question. No I don't think it's fair that NHL players are going overseas to play, and taking jobs away from other players. But life isn't fair. And NHL players are being offered spots on overseas teams because they are drawing cards and put people in the seats. And make teams better. That's just the reality of it. And whoever those players are that are losing jobs to NHL players are getting screwed.
- MJL

Fair enough. I agree with you. I do not like it in principal but it is what it is.

I know I KNOW. That's why you're here, to explain it to them. Have you called them yet?
- prock

Let's just say that my comments have been passed on by more than a couple of people who have direct access to them. Whether either person decides to listen is out of my hands.

I already said it's beyond my comprehension. Save your time, don't try to explain it to a half-wit like me.

1+1 = 3 right?
- prock

If you see how the cap has gone from $44 million to $70.2 million while the floor has moved from $28 million to $54.2 million [throw out the 1st year, the cap and floor for '05-06 were artificial] and think ZOMG, THE FLOOR USED TO BE 63.6% OF THE CAP AND NOW IT'S 77.2% OF THE CAP, THERE'S A PROBLEM! then yes - there's no way in hell you'll understand, because you've already failed basic math.