Todd Cordell: NHL Makes First Offer to NHLPA Towards a New CBA, Not a Very Good One

Todd Cordell: NHL Makes First Offer to NHLPA Towards a New CBA, Not a Very Good One
- Todd.Cordell

Owners are just pitching what they would love to see, but they know themselves it's not going to happen. They are hoping somewhere the NHLPA either bites or submits a counteroffer not too far off from their proposal.

Todd Cordell: NHL Makes First Offer to NHLPA Towards a New CBA, Not a Very Good One
- Todd.Cordell

its a negotiating tactic, they know for a fact it isnt going to be met or even come close, you start high and move your way down and that is what the owners are expecting, they would be shocked if any of it falls through other than the salary arb which both sides may agree on

its the 1st offer and its more of a feeling out process than an actual offer, and you know that the other side is doing the same kinda thing

This is a ridiculous proposal from the NHL but we'll seem something just as ridiculous from the NHLPA in response.

This is a silly response to the first proposal. Everyone knows you never start at what you ideally want. Now it's up to the nhlpa to counter with something just as rediculous the other way.

They will finally end up agreeing to something in the middle. Standard negotiating tactics.

the Owners proposal is not that ridiculous.

all they are trying to do is streamline costs, make it more predicable, and offer stability to players.

instead of some FA playing in 4 different cities in say, 6 years, having to put in two 5 year contracts before becoming a FA means the players can actually put down roots someone and maybe even build a family and become part of a community

the offer has 3 basic strategies

1. making salaries more predictable through cost control mechanisms
2. offering certainty to players i.e. put in two 5 year contracts before bailing out on the organization
3. equal pay for equal work

The fact that negotiations are done with people using transparent manipulation strategies simply insults the intelligence of those they offer it to. They're not selling to some old woman buying her son a car here, they're selling to a professional negotiator.

The offer was completely ludicrous. I'd counter propose something near the current numbers and I wouldn't budge until they were ready to take me seriously if I were the NHLPA.

Entry level contract at five years was by far the most laughable. UFA in 10 years was hilarious as well.

You are overreacting, Todd. Of course the NHL was going to lowball the NHLPA.

Duh.

Now the NHLPA will come back with a ridiculous offer of their own, and let the tennis match begin.

Season will start on time. Book it.

Signed,

Not worried in Buffalo

the Owners proposal is not that ridiculous.

all they are trying to do is streamline costs, make it more predicable, and offer stability to players.

instead of some FA playing in 4 different cities in say, 6 years, having to put in two 5 year contracts before becoming a FA means the players can actually put down roots someone and maybe even build a family and become part of a community

the offer has 3 basic strategies

1. making salaries more predictable through cost control mechanisms
2. offering certainty to players i.e. put in two 5 year contracts before bailing out on the organization
3. equal pay for equal work
- Rimland

What you aren't addressing is that the players' wants and needs are completely ignored. What if the player doesn't like where he is? What if the player doesn't like management? What if the organization is poor? You're forcing players to stay against their will for 10 years. That's a significant portion of one's life to be an indentured servant.

The fact that negotiations are done with people using transparent manipulation strategies simply insults the intelligence of those they offer it to. They're not selling to some old woman buying her son a car here, they're selling to a professional negotiator.

The offer was completely ludicrous. I'd counter propose something near the current numbers and I wouldn't budge until they were ready to take me seriously if I were the NHLPA.

Entry level contract at five years was by far the most laughable. UFA in 10 years was hilarious as well.
- archromat

it was low balled but that's expected on the first offer and the nhlpa will do the same thing

5yr entry deal is too much

but i think with the ufa it may be somewhat close, small market teams have a hard time keeping their talent or supporting players and well more 18 yr olds seem to be playing now than in the past.....it won't be 10yrs but i see the age go to 28

it was low balled but that's expected on the first offer and the nhlpa will do the same thing

5yr entry deal is too much

but i think with the ufa it may be somewhat close, small market teams have a hard time keeping their talent or supporting players and well more 18 yr olds seem to be playing now than in the past.....it won't be 10yrs but i see the age go to 28
- dmarsden2988

Right now it's a 7 years/27 years old I believe.

I think it's actually fine like that (even though we just lost Parise). Lou could have traded Parise last year for more permanent assets but he took a chance and it almost paid off.

If I made amends, I'd say 8 years/28 years and I think that would be a fine number. but I'm not opposed to them keeping it the way it is. I mean Minnesota is a small market team and they just landed the best 2 ufas.

I am cool with the max contract length but I think it will end up at 7 years max instead of 5. If they want UFA's to be after 10 years they need to reduce the restrictions to offer sheets.. I would make it so offer sheets do not cost anything but the team that owns the rights gets right of first refusal and then can match any other offer it wants.

So basically if you are scared to lose your player sign him before July 1st.. I know this would create chaos but still it would be boring with everyone signed on the team for 10 years!...

Prospects camp starts Monday.

Over-reacting in a big way! Lets see the players first proposal and shoot it down in the same manner! It will probably look the same only 180 degrees off!

As for the players wanting contracts for longer than 5 years so they don't have to move their families.........boohoo!! You kidding me! That is the nature of the business and they are compensated extremely well for it! My father was in the RCAF and we were constantly moving, and I can tell you his pay was definately not 6 figure, never mind 7 figure!

As for the players wanting contracts for longer than 5 years so they don't have to move their families.........boohoo!! You kidding me! That is the nature of the business and they are compensated extremely well for it! My father was in the RCAF and we were constantly moving, and I can tell you his pay was definately not 6 figure, never mind 7 figure!
- Bullot

This. You want location stability? Choose a different profession. Make 50-100k. Done.

You want to change the sport so that everyone is wearing pillows and no one can get hurt? Choose a different profession. Make 50-100k. Done.

These underlying issues go hand in hand. You made the choice to make millions of dollars playing a sport. You live with the consequences, be it a brain damaging conusssion or being moved 3 times in 2 years.

Good article, NHL wants a lockout it seems. How about don't drop player revenue, contracts 8 years max, entry contracts remain 3 years but possibly lower limit to 750k or so

i think peoples reactions to this is more humorous than the offer. this is how negotiations work. this first proposal means nothing.

The fact that negotiations are done with people using transparent manipulation strategies simply insults the intelligence of those they offer it to. They're not selling to some old woman buying her son a car here, they're selling to a professional negotiator.

The offer was completely ludicrous. I'd counter propose something near the current numbers and I wouldn't budge until they were ready to take me seriously if I were the NHLPA.

Entry level contract at five years was by far the most laughable. UFA in 10 years was hilarious as well.
- archromat

I would be willing to bet that most fans are reacting far more to this than the players are. Everything in this proposal was expected by the players. They know that they have extremely low leverage on the owners as its the players that depend on the league and not the owners. This is about money to the owners and if they get the 50/50 split, the rest will be easily negotiated.

Sweet Jesus....if there is a lockout or a shortened season, I'm going to lose it...

Stupid posturing and everybody knows it. Doesn't warrant a player counter proposal. Just tell Bettman to try again. At this rate their counter offer would be, no cap, a $5 million minimum and a 20% ownership of the franchise! Just dumb to play this game.

I would be willing to bet that most fans are reacting far more to this than the players are. Everything in this proposal was expected by the players. They know that they have extremely low leverage on the owners as its the players that depend on the league and not the owners. This is about money to the owners and if they get the 50/50 split, the rest will be easily negotiated.
- Iggysbff

What are you talking about? The players do have leverage over the owners because they can stop a season in which the owners cannot make money. That's leverage.

What are you talking about? The players do have leverage over the owners because they can stop a season in which the owners cannot make money. That's leverage.
- Pomegrant

The problem is, players lose allot as well. What if you were 38 years old, trying to get one more contract. Would you want to sit out another year and come back at 39? By then, your reflexes and timing are too far gone. How many players never came back from the last labour stoppage? That is one good reason that the Maple Leafs should just say no to Luongo. If next year is wipped out, then Luongo is 34 years old and missed a hole year, losing his timing and reflexes.

I'm starting to think, that we're about to either lose a half a season or a full one. The last experience said, the fans will come back, if you offer them some crumbs. The owners may stand united, to get an NFL type deal.

Julian McKenzie ‏@therealestjmac
Source says #Isles had an offer on the table 4th round 2013+Streit for Gomez+Gionta+1st 2013. #Habs passed on this.





no wonder why montreal passed on this

Julian McKenzie ‏@therealestjmac
Source says #Isles had an offer on the table 4th round 2013+Streit for Gomez+Gionta+1st 2013. #Habs passed on this.





no wonder why montreal passed on this
- dmarsden2988

Streit's a pretty damned good player in his own right. That's a tough trade. For me, I look at it as Streit for Gionta and a 1st, as Gomez is just a cap dump. Even then, I am heavily on the fence.

Streit's a pretty damned good player in his own right. That's a tough trade. For me, I look at it as Streit for Gionta and a 1st, as Gomez is just a cap dump. Even then, I am heavily on the fence.
- _Zippy_

if it wasnt for the 1st then i could see it happening, for a 2nd instead, that 1st could be top 5 and if they win the lottery then there goes mckinnen (sp) which from reports i have read could be a generational type talent

and a 4th + streit isnt good enough to get a 1st+gionta