Eklund: NHL and NHLPA MUST Use this time to work out a new deal. Issues? Buzz@Noon

Get rid of the cap, sink or swim, this parity stuff is bull crap, I wanna see a dynasty again.

It's wishful thinking that in a high stakes bargaining situation the parties can come to agree (capitulate) on contentious issues without having the income loss gun to their heads.

They can iron out a lot of lesser issues but ultimately the deal will either happen or it wont. If they arent close it will require some tension to resolve.

Eklund: NHL and NHLPA MUST Use this time to work out a new deal. Issues? Buzz@Noon
- Eklund

Players realizing sports is totally useless

If the owners and players need a mediator, maybe you could offer to help.

Also, who won the prize for the best rule changes? I thought I had a legit chance at that contest but there was never a more to come.

The economics are too uncertain right now to agree to anything concrete. They could have discussions on certain points and get a sense of what each side wants, but there is zero chance a deal will be signed until after next season - if there is one.

I appreciate the optimism but there is no way the players or the league give a hoot about throwing the fans a bone. They haven't even cancelled games. Everything is listed as 'postponed' so they don't have to process refunds.

During the lock out they wouldn't even let another league play for The Cup which should have been allowed since it technically does not belong to the league. Obviously all the Cup Trustees are in the NHL's back pocket.

Even when the games do come back and fans are allowed back in arenas, Get used to seeing a lot of rinks at half capacity. With this virus and the poop kicking the economy has taken, people just won't have much disposable income for expensive events like hockey games which will affect the bottom line of most team owners.

First the league couldn't help themselves from trying to maximize their spending, and now the players can't help themselves with their earning potential.

The way I see it, the PA have been shooting themselves in the foot year over year every time they agreed to a raise or pushed the escalator out. Roughly 10% of player wages have gone to escrow over the past 5+ years.

If the players are earning 50% of league revenues and they are losing money, then, the cap is set too high.

In reality, the league would be in a better place where annual revenues generated overages above the projected cap. The PA appear to dislike this because a lower cap means that the marquee players will make less personally. I ponder what is worse, a $10 million contract with 10% lost to escrow or a $9 million contract that is set with no loss.

1 - Hard Cap, Sorta - Part 1: Create a Hard Cap that is 5-10% lower than previous years league revenue.
2 - Hard Cap, Sorta - Part 2: If the cap goes down, Cap Floor can drop but Cap Ceiling can be maintained if within 5-10% of previous year.

If, in a situation where year over year losses occur, then players would end up with escrow but, that would mean that the league as a whole is failing to generate or maintain it's business.

If, in a situation where year over year growth occurs, players could receive a bonus revenue check, or the funds could be allocated for PA and NHL retirement/post sport funding/educational and sports scholarships etc etc (maybe instead of fighting over this they could use it in social programs across the league).

If, in a situation where some years go up and others down, players and teams should feel no loss, and maintain the status quo.

It doesn't sound too far from where we are today, but, if the NHL and PA continue to set the cap based upon what 'could' happen, we will continue to see issues with escrow and team caps.

One things for sure no sport can have a lockout after this.

Ban guaranteed contracts and no trade clauses and offer huge annual cash awards for players that finish in the top 10 in league scoring, goalies with best save % and d men with best defensive stats, pk, bodychecking.

Automatic 2 year ban for elbows, checking from behind, slashing, spearing, cross checks.

Ban on Bettman meddling with officials' job security for rigged reffing in playoff games.

Eliminate automatic instigator penalty.

Get rid of the cap, sink or swim, this parity stuff is bull crap, I wanna see a dynasty again.
- LeftCoaster

Canadian teams that have won the cup since the salary cap was put into place = Zero

Odds Bettman gets rid of the cap considering the above = Zero

You would think someone who started this site during a lockout would have some fundamental understanding of labour negotiations.

They aren't solving this while they are off because of this virus.

Canadian teams that have won the cup since the salary cap was put into place = Zero

Odds Bettman gets rid of the cap considering the above = Zero
- The Shrike

well they didn't win the previous 12 years before the cap.

I really don't think escrow is the biggest roadblock to a new deal. Issues like the Olympics, World Cup, scheduling, ELC bonuses, RFA rights, scheduling, player safety, avoiding situations like Babcock, Bill Peters, what to do with a case like Big Buff...all seem more important than escrow. But I don't have inside sources so maybe a Zoom call can sort out escrow in the midst of extreme uncertainty.

I believe RFA and ELC will be a part of anyone under 25 as part of NHLPA side the owners will probably try to get back more of the pie in retaliation. It might not actually be bad or dirty as both sides rather quickly didn't opt out at all with what they have now as in they were actually happy?

Yes now is the time to stay home with your family and get the pandemic slowed down not actually do anything, I know EK wants something to happen so he has something to write about or podcast on. Its tough times out there, have to either take a break or talk about old style things just sayin.

If the salary is the the issue as everyone claims for the lack of success of their teams. Why not implement the cap that Baseball has. If you exceed the cap you pay a tax. The tax money gets spread out of the smaller market teams.

If the salary is the the issue as everyone claims for the lack of success of their teams. Why not implement the cap that Baseball has. If you exceed the cap you pay a tax. The tax money gets spread out of the smaller market teams.
- Nfdbulldawg

And then, just like in baseball, you'll see the same 10 or so teams be the only truly competitive ones year after year.

And then, just like in baseball, you'll see the same 10 or so teams be the only truly competitive ones year after year.
- eichiefs9

In fairness, baseball has seen more of a competitive league lately. Small market teams are winning.

In fairness, baseball has seen more of a competitive league lately. Small market teams are winning.
- RogerRoeper

*cheating

*cheating
- BINGO!

You could pretty much pencil in the two back-to-back WS appearances by KC as the only "small market" team (one that didn't cheat their way to success, anyway) that has had any real success in the last 10 years. The rest looks like this:

Ban guaranteed contracts and no trade clauses and offer huge annual cash awards for players that finish in the top 10 in league scoring, goalies with best save % and d men with best defensive stats, pk, bodychecking.

Automatic 2 year ban for elbows, checking from behind, slashing, spearing, cross checks.

Ban on Bettman meddling with officials' job security for rigged reffing in playoff games.

Eliminate automatic instigator penalty.
- fatty_mcmanboobs

Bettman works for the "League". You understand the "League" is made up of ALL the owners right? So why would any owners not benefiting from the "rigged refing in playoff games" endorse that? Makes no sense.

Take off your tinfoil cap - the weather is much nicer now.

Bettman works for the "League". You understand the "League" is made up of ALL the owners right? So why would any owners not benefiting from the "rigged refing in playoff games" endorse that? Makes no sense.

Take off your tinfoil cap - the weather is much nicer now.
- Nasty_Duck

They're in on the conspiracy too. Jet fuel can't melt steel beams.

Bettman works for the "League". You understand the "League" is made up of ALL the owners right? So why would any owners not benefiting from the "rigged refing in playoff games" endorse that? Makes no sense.

Take off your tinfoil cap - the weather is much nicer now.
- Nasty_Duck

All the single owners? All the single owners...

https://youtu.be/4m1EFMoRFvY

All the single owners? All the single owners...

https://youtu.be/4m1EFMoRFvY
- gergeswillems

Kanye's rant on that was priceless...