Surprisingly Positive Reaction After NHLPA CBA Proposal
According to Pro Hockey Talk, the players proposed a three-year agreement, with an option for a fourth, which included a lower HHR (hockey related revenue) share for players over the next three years, current rules for player salaries, contract lengths and free agent eligibility would remain unchanged and a hard salary cap "with some exceptions" which appears to be a luxury tax.
The NHL will now evaluate the proposal and meet with the players again tomorrow to further discuss.
Here's video of NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr discussing proposal after today's negotiations...
For reaction keep reading after the jump.
The reaction...
NHLPA won't ask the NHL to get rid of the salary cap system. Important step to make sure they'll be hockey at one point this season.
— Renaud P Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) August 14, 2012
Second impression was that it possessed economic elements that were 'interesting' to the League.
— Aaron Ward (@aaronward_nhl) August 14, 2012#TSN
Fehr says proposal should "lead to a new CBA."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) August 14, 2012
surprised by all the optimism in the media and praise for Fehr's work. Not all that much happened today, in reality.
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) August 14, 2012
I still expect
— Spector's Hockey (@SpectorsHockey) August 14, 2012#NHL to reject PA's overall proposal, but should be willing to negotiate some of the notable points.
...the players put all my worries from this morning to rest with a very reasonable and easily negotiable proposal. I'm very confident after today's events, that getting something done by September 15th is a reality.
...and if there are any major holdups, I place it completely at the feet of the NHL and Bettman.
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It's certainly a better start than we all imagined, but nowhere yesterday were salary arbitration ELC contracts and 10-yr free agency mentioned. This is long from over.
Who said hockey players were dumb? Very smart, measured counter by the NHLPA to the insulting proposal by the NHL. Popular opinion is now with the players. The ball is in your court, Mr. Bettman. #letsplayhockey
That is just it Kevin, this is basically what Fehr once offered to MLB in the past and the NHL would be foolish to not use this as a legit starting point.
My fear is that the NHL labor team is so gungho about their proposals that they will reject it and not give the moderate owners a chance to look at the offer.
@TheProspectpark It sounded to me like the NHL was at least receptive to some of the proposals. Which is encouraging.
While i didn't post any comments here on this or any other site Re CBA...in chatting with fruiends off-line i did suggest what i called a penalty tax (a/k/a a luxury tax.). The agreement could have the same type of minimum and maximums....say $48Mill as min. and $72Mill as max. A dollar for dollar tax
could be imposed on teams that went over, which would go to into a pool
to be divided by a formula TBD to either fiscally challengewd or small market teams.
A 50/50 share btwn players and league seems fair in that both need each other.
Also teams should be allowed to send money along to a trading partner, which
doesn't happen under the existing CBA.
The 3 yr ELC would be retained a maximum length of 5 yrs on any contract and when (age) free agency kicks-in seem fair to all.
So what do you think?
2 Like
PS Where is Hank in all this? He should atleast be showing these guys how to put on a suit. Is Crosby's collar really outside his jacket?
As soon as I see "Luxury Tax" I'm afraid Mr. Dolan and Mr Sather will return to their old ways of wheeling and dealing out Free Agent Contracts...it certainly doesn't stop the Yankees from paying individual players more than some opponents, I have a feeling it won't stop the Rangers either.
@johnnyb3910 Nah, I think they've learned from past failures that wreckless spending does not work.
@TheNYRBlog It certainly seems like there is more optimism than there was before the meeting today. Let's hope tomorrow is positive too!
@TheNYRBlog @nhlpa great news still aways to go but positive vibes lets goooo need #nyrhockey #BlueshirtFaithful #blueshirtsbaby
@larryhanover1 PR battles usually win wars. Look at what Jeremy Lin did with Time Warner/MSG battle.
@TheNYRBlog I fear they are spending more time trying to win over public and no time for real negotiating
