Richard Cloutier: Commissioner Cloutier's "Final Offer"

Good blog Richard... but... Revenue split should be 2 percent per year decrease, not one. Owners will be happier about that. Those numbers would work better for the owners, without the players losing too much. I would get rid of the second year buyout as well.

Not bad Richard, but it's too logical for them. It's gotta be who beat who and this is why this season is toast. It was perceived that the owners bludgeoned the players last time around and the PA kept reminding the players about this, for the last 7 years. The players weren't going to have this happen again, so now you see where we're at. The owners are not moving off of their core principles. The league is just going to let time run out, then go to the podium and let public opinion lay on Donald Fehr and the players. Any idea of decertification will just hurt the players more. The owners are counting on this. Hence, no season. So we might as well make our summer vacation plans now.

Here's my proposal, based on what I have been able to figure out, though it's rather fuzzy with the NHLPA playing siller bugger games and not submitting a actual formal offer. I would extend the previous CBA just for this shorten season.

CBA Length: 8 years, with 2 as a option. For some strange reason, the players seem to think they can get rid of the cap next CBA. Don't think so...

Salary Cap: 50/50 split. 2013-14 at 56%, 2014-15 at 54%, 2015-16 at 52%. The numbers should work because revenue will be about the same as last season. We as fans can't stay pissed off forever...

Maximum Contract Length: 7 years. Considering the actions of both sides, I would say just keep it simple.

Buyouts: one year only, and right after the cup is awarded or say 2 weeks before UFA day. Any player bought out becomes a instant free agent, and is able to sign immediately.

Increase to Minimum Salary Level: I like 750k. Means a lot more players will be happier to accept.

The others are pretty good, I like them.

CBA Lenght: 10 years
Revenue Sharing: 50/50 starting this season.
Salary Cap: Ceiling set at 50% of revenues and no floor.
Maximum contract lenght: 6 years for own RFA/UFA. 4 years from other teams.
Entry level-contract: no bonuses, range from 2-4 years.
Contracts: each year can't be more/less than 20% of previous year.
Make-whole: none
Buy-outs: once per year, a week before the draft. Penalty: lose a draft pick depending on the $$$ of the buyout.

Players can take it or go play in Europe.

Problem solved.

http://encapsulatedrecord...d-of-gary-bettman-t-shirt

Problem solved.

http://encapsulatedrecord...d-of-gary-bettman-t-shirt
- alksys7

HAHAAHAHAHA! like the NHL would agree to that, wasn't that one of the offers made by NHLPA as far as revenue splitting was concerned and NHL just laughed in their faces! yea i think it was.. thats the whole problem with this mess, NHL is not ready to agree to a deal where the make whole provision isn't required, they want a cap on the amount they have to put in towards the revenue split.. and thats why NHLPA doesn't want to give out any other discounts, if they can't get that gradual move down to 50%.. but good try, first try and convince the NHL!! they wan't nothing to do with this proposal

Mostly a good plan Richard. But it get's to 50/50 way to slow. 8 years to get there isn't fair. Whether you use Make Whole or whatever. After player contracts are honored, it needs to get to an immediate 50/50 as soon as possible. Players made up to 57% in the last CBA. And around 70-75% the one before that. 50/50 is fair. Get there and keep it there.

Not bad Richard, but it's too logical for them. It's gotta be who beat who and this is why this season is toast. It was perceived that the owners bludgeoned the players last time around and the PA kept reminding the players about this, for the last 7 years. The players weren't going to have this happen again, so now you see where we're at. The owners are not moving off of their core principles. The league is just going to let time run out, then go to the podium and let public opinion lay on Donald Fehr and the players. Any idea of decertification will just hurt the players more. The owners are counting on this. Hence, no season. So we might as well make our summer vacation plans now.
- PrinceLH

So you think the Owners should be more concerned about PR and who the fans will blame. And that the Owners are counting on that. Rather then saving the Season and starting to rebuild from the damage of the lockout. And being more concerned about the long term damages this lockout and what a cancelled season could do to their business? Makes sense. I truly hope the NHL and the Owners aren't that stupid.

Great blog as usual Richard, I understand your reasoning where it comes to 50-50 but it has to happen much quicker IMO.

Players should just take the deal that's on the table, it's more than fair for both parties!

How bout them Seahawks

So you think the Owners should be more concerned about PR and who the fans will blame. And that the Owners are counting on that. Rather then saving the Season and stating to build up from the damage of the lockout. And being more concerned about the long term damages this lockout and what a cancelled season could do to their business? Makes sense. I truly hope the NHL and the Owners aren't that stupid.
- MJL

Oh. They are. They have proven that numerous times and the NHLPA are not any more intelligent.

Oh. They are. They have proven that numerous times and the NHLPA are not any more intelligent.
- Cptmjl

Well if either side allows what issues are left to lead to a cancelled Season, then they are just that stupid. No reason why a compromise can't be worked out at this point.

Well if either side allows what issues are left to lead to a cancelled Season, then they are just that stupid. No reason why a compromise can't be worked out at this point.
- MJL

There is also no reason why one couldn't have been worked out over the summer or a few months ago. This one is going to hurt the sport pretty bad even if they manage to "save" this season with a half a$$ed 48 game schedule. They are a bunch of morons.

There is also no reason why one couldn't have been worked out over the summer or a few months ago. This one is going to hurt the sport pretty bad even if they manage to "save" this season with a half a$$ed 48 game schedule. They are a bunch of morons.
- Cptmjl

Neither side would have been willing to give what the other side wanted back in the Summer. This was always destined to go to a lockout.

HAHA If the owners made an offer like this....Bettman should be fired. Because they haven't made an offer of anything close to this all along. This would be like hitting a home run for the PA.

So you think the Owners should be more concerned about PR and who the fans will blame. And that the Owners are counting on that. Rather then saving the Season and starting to rebuild from the damage of the lockout. And being more concerned about the long term damages this lockout and what a cancelled season could do to their business? Makes sense. I truly hope the NHL and the Owners aren't that stupid.
- MJL

It's not what I think about what the owners and players should do, it's what their mindsets will steer them into doing. It's all about the blame game now. They didn't take into account, the apathy that has set in. They figured an anger factor, but like a good relationship, the two parties kiss and make up. In reality, there's going to be a legal separation. The marriage between the National Hockey League and the fans, are on the rocks. So now it's who's to blame. That's why the season will not get off of the ground.

Neither side would have been willing to give what the other side wanted back in the Summer. This was always destined to go to a lockout.
- MJL

I think you are right assuming this but it doesn't make it any less stupid.

If you really believe that the owners could offer this.....why have you been bashing the players all this time? Do you just blog for the sake of seeing your name on here????

Richard Cloutier: Commissioner Cloutier's "Final Offer"
- Maxbone

Disagree with your revenue split breakdown. To get to 50% in yr. 7 will never fly. That will leave the owners with a 50/50 split for 3 years before they have to go through this song and dance again.

If you really believe that the owners could offer this.....why have you been bashing the players all this time? Do you just blog for the sake of seeing your name on here????
- yttrohs

I think Cloutier has passion for the game. That's why he blogs. I only used to read his blogs occasionally, but now read it all of the time. There are lots of bloggers with insider info. There's bloggers that like to make you stop and think. Cloutier's blogs bring out the inner passion of some fans. Agree or disagree, it comes from the heart.

So you think the Owners should be more concerned about PR and who the fans will blame. And that the Owners are counting on that. Rather then saving the Season and starting to rebuild from the damage of the lockout. And being more concerned about the long term damages this lockout and what a cancelled season could do to their business? Makes sense. I truly hope the NHL and the Owners aren't that stupid.
- MJL

They're not...but Fehr is.

The owners are going to settle in the last minute...but Fehr is going to decertify on Jan. 2nd, which is the only way I see us not having a season.

They're not...but Fehr is.

The owners are going to settle in the last minute...but Fehr is going to decertify on Jan. 2nd, which is the only way I see us not having a season.
- Pen15

Fehr and the players main goal is to get a deal done and have a Season. The players will only go ahead with the DOI if they feel the League won't negotiate further and reach a compromise in my opinion.

Fehr and the players main goal is to get a deal done and have a Season. The players will only go ahead with the DOI if they feel the League won't negotiate further and reach a compromise in my opinion.
- MJL

The players don't have an option anymore...they gave that power over to Fehr.

And imo, Fehr is much more likely to pull the trigger on a DOI than the players are.

I also find it kind of sad that Fehr let the players vote on a DOI, but not on the last offer the NHL submitted.