Deal Agreed to in Principle

[NickelBack]

Don't hurt yourself backing away so quickly from that learned 'government charity' crack!

 

[Scott MS]

Don't hurt yourself backing away so quickly from that learned 'government charity' crack!

Don't get your comment. I'm not backing away. I said the NHL isn't (as in "is not") a government charity. They need to make money. I can say, for myself at least, that I generally don't invest in something that loses money.

 

[Town Drunk]

The owners were the ones who gave out those $7 million dollar contracts. Were the players supposed to say no, that's too much?

Again, if the league is in dire straights money wise, why did the owners continue to give out those big contracts? Why didn't they set up some sort of revenue sharing between owners?

And yes, you'd be seeing some terrible hockey.

 

[NickelBack]

No. They can still make millions in the NHL, just not $7 million/year.

They'll get it if Mike Ilitch opens his checkbook.

 

[Scott MS]

The owners were the ones who gave out those $7 million dollar contracts. Were the players supposed to say no, that's too much?

Again, if the league is in dire straights money wise, why did the owners continue to give out those big contracts? Why didn't they set up some sort of revenue sharing between owners?

And yes, you'd be seeing some terrible hockey.

Yes, the owners are certainly to blame, just as much as the players and probably more, as to the situation they are in now. I'm not harping on the past, but talking about what to do moving forward. Again, they need to create an economic environment that keeps the teams profitable. Yes, it's a crappy thing to do to players, but you do that to survive.

If you're running a restaurant or a store or something and you're losing money what do you do? You reduce your work force, maybe get cheaper labor, maybe lower your prices, etc. Sometimes you have to lay off good old Johnny who has worked at your company 20 years and is now making $25 an hour to work a cash register and bring in some 17 years old kid and pay him $8 an hour. Does is happen? Yes, it's happened to just about every industry in this country over the last 10 years.

 

[Scott MS]

They'll get it if Mike Ilitch opens his checkbook.

Mike can't operate his franchise if he doesn't have anybody to play. The owners need to work out a league structure to survive and all agree to the structure.

Mike is kind of smart. He started the Little Caesar's pizza operation. Used to be a lot of Little Caesar's in Phoenix, but most have gone out of business. He was unable to improve his "cardboard" tasting pizza that catered to the value buyer who wanted "Pizza-Pizza", which was 2 pizzas for $8.00. Now Domino's and Pizza Hut will bring pizza to your door for just about the same price.

 

[Scott MS]

And, by the way, how did you become the town drunk? I thought that was my name . . .

 

[Town Drunk]

Yes, I understand that.

But Bettman and Co. wanted a salary cap. The players offered a 24% rollback and then the players agreed to a cap.

The players realize a cap is needed. It’s the owners who keep saying one thing, and then do the other. They’re negotiating in bad faith, once again. Rather than go half way with the players, they continue to hold out for more.

And that’s where the problem is.

 

[Town Drunk]

It tooks years of practice to get this name, believe me

 

[Town Drunk]

http://hockeyrumors.blogspot.com

What Now?
Bill Daly is saying it is too late for the season. I am hearing five owners blocked it at the last second because 45 was higher than 42.5..one source saying of the five, "they simply didn't want to play this year. You have to feel terrible for the players who worked so hard were told they had a deal, went to NY and then this...Is it over? Who knows...it looks like it.

It will be written that the NHL died today because five owners couldn't live with a cap 2.5million higher, that they didn't have to spend.....and 700 players will never see a cap in the 40's again, never above 35...

I am ashamed to be a part of something so ludicrous. All of you deserved so much more...I hope, for their sake, this is some sort of posturing...but right now there is only silence...and that is pathetic and you should be angry.

 

[Scott MS]

I think the real problem is that the owners are at $42M and the players are at $50. The $45M agreement has all kinds of stipulations and other league loopholes which probably allows the effective cap to be above $45M. The method these two sides are using to find "common ground" probably isn't as straight forward as we think.

 

[Town Drunk]

The players are at $45 and most of the owners are at $45.

I haven’t read anything about any stipulations being at $45 million.

The owners don’t even have to spend that much to begin with.

It’s quite sad.

 

[Scott MS]

Well be thankful that the NHL never resorted to using replacement players ("scabs"). That tactic by the NFL in the '80s was effective in reaching an agreement, but hurt the credibility of the game because those games will always have asterisks next to them.

 

[Town Drunk]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp;jsessionid=HDJFFMIJGOGD?content=20050218_170817_1040

Not even the presence of Phoenix owner Wayne Gretzky could help the NHL season rise from the ashes of cancellation.

NEW YORK (CP) -- Despite the presence of two of the sports's marquee names, another round of NHL talks failed to save the season Saturday.

Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and NHL Players' Association president Trevor Linden were unable to revive labour negotiations during a 6.5-hour session including breaks.

There were no more talks immediately scheduled. The prognosis was bleak and it appears the two sides will now have to focus their efforts on ensuring the 2005-06 season goes ahead as scheduled.

While neither side had much good to say about Saturday's meeting, the union was gloomier.

"The season was cancelled on Wednesday and it's certainly not going to be resurrected after today," Ted Saskin, senior director of the NHLPA, told reporters.

"It's 100 per cent certain coming out of today's meeting that nothing could impact the cancellation of the season."

While no official proposals were exchanged, the NHL explained its final offer in more detail. The union was not impressed.

"I can't see anything worse than what they put on the table today," said Saskin.

Added Colorado's Vincent Damphousse, a union vice-president: "When we saw more details on their offer we realized it was much worse than we thought."

The league also talked of the gap between the two sides.

"The talks were cordial and informative, but revealed that there remain significant differences that need to be discussed and resolved by the parties," NHL executive vice-president Bill Daly said in a statement. "No new proposals were made by either side. While no new meetings are scheduled, we remain committed to continue working through the process until a new agreement can be reached."

League officials were not immediately available.

On the outside, Saturday's talks seemed full of promise -- especially after the way Wednesday's cancellation of the season was greeted by some in the sport saying the two sides were too close to stop negotiating now.

The positive vibe grew with news that Gretzky, managing partner of the Phoenix Coyotes, and Lemieux, playing owner of the Penguins, were getting involved.

Both aren't used to failing.

But there was no silver bullet.

"It was crystal clear from our standpoint that we weren't (close to a deal) and that was evident today," said Linden, who wasn't worried about how the latest failure would look after raising hopes. "I don't think cancelling a season looked that good to anyone."

Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow were not present Saturday. But their right-hand men, the Daly and Saskin, were in the room.

Also involved were outside counsel Bob Batterman for the NHL and John McCambridge for the union.

The players were also represented by NHLPA executive Mike Gartner.

Gretzky and Lemieux limited their comments to a brief statement:

Said Gretzky: "Mario and I were happy to be part of the process and everyone seemed to work very hard together. We had a constructive meeting and we only hope they will continue meeting for the betterment of the NHL and its fans."

Added Lemieux: "I hope all parties continue talking and come to a solution for the betterment of the game. I certainly appreciate the work Gary and Bill have done a lot more, now that I have been part of one of these sessions."

Goodenow and other members of the NHLPA committee were in New York, but not at the meeting.

Emergency talks to save the 2004-05 season began at 9 a.m. EST and wrapped up at around 3:30 p.m. at a New York hotel.

Saturday's session talks come amid reports that the basis of a deal including a $45-million US salary cap was already in place, something denied strongly by both sides. A league official called it completely "untrue," while an NHLPA spokesman said "the report is absolutely false."

Talks ended Tuesday night after the NHLPA rejected the league's final offer of a $42.5-million salary cap. The NHLPA's last offer featured a salary cap of $49 million.

 

[Scott MS]

Talks ended Tuesday night after the NHLPA rejected the league's final offer of a $42.5-million salary cap. The NHLPA's last offer featured a salary cap of $49 million.


I am thinking that we won't see hockey until the players take the $42.5M, or at least some group of players, whether it by the NHLPA or other group.

Many players played in Europe this season. I'm not sure what they made, but probably still much less than what they could make in the NHL even with a $42.5 cap. There are many teams this season who don't have a payroll over that figure.

I'd like to see the Wings after than cap is implemented!! It would make for more parity like the NFL!!

 

[Town Drunk]

That was last week.

Everything I've been reading has said that $45 million was the key.

The difference between $42.5 and $45 is minute. Teams do not have to field a team with that high of a payroll.

I just don't get it

Players were saying that they were heading back to the North America because the deal was as good as done.

What a huge letdown

 

[Scott MS]

Apprently 5 owners didn't agree to the $45M. Until you reach a point where all parties of all sides agree, it's still a negotiation.

It will be $42.5M by the time the next season starts. The NHL will eventually win because they are losing less right now than the players by not playing.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Talks ended Tuesday night after the NHLPA rejected the league's final offer of a $42.5-million salary cap. The NHLPA's last offer featured a salary cap of $49 million.


I am thinking that we won't see hockey until the players take the $42.5M, or at least some group of players, whether it by the NHLPA or other group.

Many players played in Europe this season. I'm not sure what they made, but probably still much less than what they could make in the NHL even with a $42.5 cap. There are many teams this season who don't have a payroll over that figure.

I'd like to see the Wings after than cap is implemented!! It would make for more parity like the NFL!!

After this week, the PA will never get a sniff of $40M again. Hope the players enjoy $32M caps with linkage, because thats the best the NHL will be able to offer next year...

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Apprently 5 owners didn't agree to the $45M. Until you reach a point where all parties of all sides agree, it's still a negotiation.

It will be $42.5M by the time the next season starts. The NHL will eventually win because they are losing less right now than the players by not playing.

More than 5. 5 cant hold up the entire deal.

 

[Scott MS]

On another note, do you think fan interest in the game has decreased because the "trap" of whatever defense that was. I really liked the '80s when every game was 8-5. Scoring was a good thing until the Devils started shutting down scoring.

 

[Town Drunk]

The players can still earn their money in Europe.

The owners aren’t earning anything.

From the sounds of things, the players were duped by Bettman and Co.

How nice of them.

The players offered a roll back of salaries. The players agreed to a cap. The players agreed to a $45 million cap. And the owners can’t step up and go half way, even when the difference between $42.5 and $45 is very little.

It’s simply sad.

 

[NickelBack]

It will be written that the NHL died today because five owners couldn't live with a cap 2.5million higher, that they didn't have to spend.....

Nice. I guess that says all we need to know about the group calling the shots!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

The players can still earn their money in Europe.

The owners aren’t earning anything.

From the sounds of things, the players were duped by Bettman and Co.

How nice of them.

The players offered a roll back of salaries. The players agreed to a cap. The players agreed to a $45 million cap. And the owners can’t step up and go half way, even when the difference between $42.5 and $45 is very little.

It’s simply sad.

From your own article...
"Saturday's session talks come amid reports that the basis of a deal including a $45-million US salary cap was already in place, something denied strongly by both sides. A league official called it completely "untrue," while an NHLPA spokesman said "the report is absolutely false.""

Is there a link to something that said that the players did officially offer $45M today? Or that they made a new proposal at all? I havent been able to find one.

And I wish the players the best of luck finding multimillion dollar deals in Europe...

 

[Town Drunk]

I don’t have a link. I’m just going by what I’ve heard all those “insiders” say. That the players agreed to a $45 million cap, and that a few owners rejected it.

 

[Town Drunk]

But of course both sides were going to deny that they were close to anything. That's how it works.

Pretty much every national hockey source said last night that a deal was agreed to in principle that would include a $45 million cap.

And now, I'm reading that it's the owners who backed out.