I don't see a deal getting done soon. The players state they gave back 24% last deal, yet salaries have increased by $1M/player on average since then and continue to increase. The common feeling is that the players lost last lockout. I disagree. The benchmark is who wants to continue the current agreement. That is who won last time. The players want to continue, the owners do not.
The three other major leagues have a 50-50 or less split. 57% is not sustainable for the NHL. Fehr has stated that the players are the only ones willing to sacrifice... of course, the middle ground is less than they are getting. All of their proposals admit the fact. The pie has grown, but so has fuel costs, hotel costs, insurance costs, medical costs (this one stinks). The NHL travel costs have to be staggering. Donald Fehr stated "where is the NHL willing to cut costs?" Where? Cheaper hotels? Flying coach? I don't care which side wins, I just want my hockey. But as a business owner, I wonder.. is this business model sustainable?
Revenue sharing has been suggested. The Leafs are the most profitable of the NHL franchises and has the highest franchise value. A good portion of the franchise value has just been sold from the Ontario pension fund. The value of the Leafs is partially dependent upon the yearly income of the franchise (memory says 180M/yr...don't quote me). A team in financial trouble like Phoenix is not worth what the Leafs are worth. Revenue sharing, if extensive, would lessen the values of the more profitable teams which would likely be a deal breaker.
What is the answer? I think a 50-50 split like everybody else. a rollback of salaries (through escrow with players getting back money if the income projections come true, and some limited revenue sharing increases.
I would love to see hockey start on time... I'm not holding my breath.
" if you agree.