2012 CBA Negotiations Thread

[OldTimeHockey]

Vancouver is just mad because clearly several years ago, when the league was warning teams about what the new CBA could do to long-term deals, Mike Gillis had his headphones in and was listening to MC Hammer albums.

That there is the top post in this entire 768 page thread. Cheers!

In all honesty, how can Brian Burke truly influence the new CBA, especially on something as huge as teams having to honour the long ridiculous contracts.

I mean, doesn't the other teams have to agree to something so huge..and with a large number of them already having these long, idiotic contracts on their books, why would they agree with something one of the very few teams does not have.

What truly makes me laugh about this part of the proposal is all the teams that ran around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to sign players to 6/7 year contracts....Now the majority are for young talented players that will certainly pay off in the end, but for every 19 worthwhile contracts, there's always a Scott Gomez in that bunch.

 

[13th fan]

The league's proposal wasn't met with great enthusiasm .Meaning NHLPA lawyers are screening for loopholes in the new CBA ... yet to find any but they will !

 

[Rebel_1812]

Half of the lobby in office building is closed off for when the NHL and PA representatives arrive for the bargaining session.

Are you down there ready to give them a fist shaking of a lifetime when they arrive?

I think I've got that job taken.  They say you are only as old as you feel, and I feel 65.  I should be getting checks from the government.

 

[Rebel_1812]

Well, if the league is being honest about the changes they're looking at not having a material impact on the players' share, I'm not sure it's really that big a deal.

Sure, hence the "little" before disingenuous.

I mean, when we're talking about a multi-billion dollar deal, how much quibbling is there going to be over what I imagine amounts to a couple million dollars?

Tough to say without knowing the particulars, right? But regardless it might speak to the principle of the thing. If your offer includes a big haircut on salary and asking the players for concessions on just about every facet of their negotiating rights and you're saying you want a couple million more off the top? All the while touting a down the middle split?

Well at that point someone, not me mind you, might just tell the person making that offer to go get stuffed.

Who, this guy?

 

[pnjunction]

I'm going to try to stay optimistic that the players can agree to the 50/50 split in some form. Everything else still seems really lopsided for the league though, maybe they can meet in the middle on it?

The 'Make Whole' provision is pretty insulting though.  Make even less later to soften the blow now, while the league contributes nothing?  Get real NHL, again I have to assume they are willing to move on this point or the season is doomed.

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

Is there hockey yet?

:-\

 

[bustaheims]

Today is a big day. If the PA's proposal works along similar lines to the NHL's, then we'll probably see hockey again soon. If not . . . well, then this war of attrition will almost certain cost the league and the players another season.

 

[Deebo]

The media circus downstairs is back today.

 

[Fanatic]

Elliotte Friedman‏@FriedgeHNIC
Fan named Barry Murphy told Bettman that as a fan he feels disrespected and neglected...what are you going to do show us you care about us? Bettman: we're "going to get a deal done." Was an interesting, respectful exchange.

 

[Deebo]

Word is the PA will present 4 proposals, each one gradually stepping down to 50/50.

I would be shocked if they can't come to an agreement.

 

[maplesyrup]

That's a lot for the NHL to go over. Maybe they take all four away, come back with one in a couple days days and  hammer out a hybrid between that one and the one they presented the PA a couple days ago.

 

[pnjunction]

Word is the PA will present 4 proposals, each one gradually stepping down to 50/50.

I would be shocked if they can't come to an agreement.

My opinion is that would or should trade off against those contract/eligibility changes as they go down towards 50/50.  Basically ask them how flexible they want to be vs how much they are willing to pay.

I really hope they are as serious about getting it done as they sound, but who knows one mis-step or key disagreement and this thing could blow up again.

 

[Deebo]

Word is the PA will present 4 proposals, each one gradually stepping down to 50/50.

I would be shocked if they can't come to an agreement.

My opinion is that would or should trade off against those contract/eligibility changes as they go down towards 50/50.  Basically ask them how flexible they want to be vs how much they are willing to pay.

I really hope they are as serious about getting it done as they sound, but who knows one mis-step or key disagreement and this thing could blow up again.

My guess is that the 4 proposals have different variations on the contractual issues.

 

[princedpw]

Word is the PA will present 4 proposals, each one gradually stepping down to 50/50.

I would be shocked if they can't come to an agreement.

My opinion is that would or should trade off against those contract/eligibility changes as they go down towards 50/50.  Basically ask them how flexible they want to be vs how much they are willing to pay.

I really hope they are as serious about getting it done as they sound, but who knows one mis-step or key disagreement and this thing could blow up again.

My guess is that the 4 proposals have different variations on the contractual issues.

That plus different arrangements for revenue sharing between the rich and the poor teams.

 

[bustaheims]

mirtle: Bettman says PA proposals are variations of their earlier offers. "None began to approach 50-50."

mirtle: Bettman concerned things are not progressing. Believes proposal today was step backwards. (All bad news folks.)

Real_ESPNLeBrun: Bettman calls it a "step backward."

Nothing to see here, folks.

 

[maplesyrup]

Ah, balls.

 

[bustaheims]

Real_ESPNLeBrun: "I am to say the least totally disappointed." - Bettman

mirtle: Bettman: "This is the best offer that we have to make."

DarrenDreger: Bettman says the league and union are not speaking the same language. Concerned by lack of progress.

At this point, I'd say we're not likely to see the season.

 

[Derk]

Wow. I am not going to give up hope yet, but what I read here has me disappointed.

Time to hop in my car and go out to my field site - and hopefully hear a little more on the radio on the way there.

 

[Deebo]

I wonder where those reports that all 4  proposals were 50/50 came from?

 

[bustaheims]

mirtle: Bettman says PA's proposal has them spending more potentially on salaries in Year 1.

Real_ESPNLeBrun: "We were done in an hour today because there was really nothing there." - Bettman

mirtle: Bettman says at some point in near future they'll have to start committing money to Winter Classic and a decision will have to be made.