The reason the owners want the contract length cap is because of what happened in MLB.

If the owners got together under the current CBA and said to each other, 'Let's just independently decide we'll give no contract longer than 5 years', then it's collusion, which is illegal. Even if they had no formal talk among the teams, it would give the appearance of collusion. Remember when no one would offer Andre Dawson a contract, even though he was on of the best players in MLB, and a free agent? It was because owners were trying to limit the length and amount of contracts outside the CBA, and the courts ruled for the players and against MLB.

So yes, they need the CBA to save them from themselves, because even if each team decided to do it 'independently', they'd be stopped by the courts from doing it (limiting contract length).

At the same time, it takes care of the issue of front loading contracts, so you can't do a deal where the cap hit is spread out over years when the player probably won't be playing.
- scottak

No it doesn't. You can still do a front-loaded, 5-year contract that circumvents the cap; it's just not as glaring.

The problem isn't the length of contracts. It's the fact that there's no enforcement mechanism that ensures "$ paid while playing in the NHL" = "$ incurred against the cap." You fix that, you instantly fix the issue of front-loading (or even back-loading) contracts to circumvent the cap.

PHUCK 'EM ALL

Yeah well good for you "unnamed source", players have screwed this, if they want to go and play in Europe good for them, players don't want that longterm most of them over there NON-European are probably see-ing it as a holiday and way to get some money, but they want to come back to the NHL. What about long term for European players, all those players possibly now not getting rink time or as much money because NHL players are taking their spots. Yeah brothers in arms.
- MikeyOz

Whats your deal? You do realize my name is more or less a joke. How have the players screwed this? Did they give themselves these long term deals? Did Marian Hossa or Luongo ask for a 14 year contract? The owners created this mess and if you don't realize it then I'm sorry. For instance look what the owner for the Minnesota Wild did. Signs Parise and Suter to these obnoxious contracts and then becomes one of the hardline owners in this whole process. What???

Hey Jackel for the next ten years You will only work for hockey buzz cause they were the ones who drafted you and now you must stay here even if you dont want to for the next ten years. You can not get any raises of more than 5 percent year over year. Oh yea and we are going to cut your salary cause We were just joking when we said we were going to give you that salary before the CBA expired.
Oh Yea WHAA dont call me names anymore. Hey Mods hey called me a name
- Brukie

Last I checked, I have never seen an entry level deal of 8 years. Most players are on their 3-4 contract when they reach UFA status. Some players examples of their years 1-8 can look like this

Years 1-3 average salary- 1 mil
Years 4-5 average salary- 2.5 mil
Years 6-8 average salary- 4.5 mil

That is still doable with the 5% variation

John Jaeckel: Players Should Fire Fehr
- John Jaeckel

JJ: I respect Barry Rozner here in Chicago. He tweeted these tweets this evening:

Barry Rozner ‏@BarryRozner

Covered Fehr for 2 decades in MLB. He doesn't dictate or decide. Players make the call. Unlike past incompetence, NHL players now informed.

Barry Rozner ‏@BarryRozner

Owners spent $300 million on contracts in days before lockout. Turned around and said they couldn't afford it. As always owners vs. owners.

Barry Rozner ‏@BarryRozner

You think Fehr told the players to come more than halfway in this after all the givebacks last time? He's not the reason there's no hockey.

JJ: I respect Barry Rozner here in Chicago. He tweeted these tweets this evening:

Barry Rozner ‏@BarryRozner

Covered Fehr for 2 decades in MLB. He doesn't dictate or decide. Players make the call. Unlike past incompetence, NHL players now informed.

Barry Rozner ‏@BarryRozner

Owners spent $300 million on contracts in days before lockout. Turned around and said they couldn't afford it. As always owners vs. owners.

Barry Rozner ‏@BarryRozner

You think Fehr told the players to come more than halfway in this after all the givebacks last time? He's not the reason there's no hockey.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Compare that to Adrian Dater's tweets. Rozner's first comment can be reconciled to Dater's comments by saying that Fehr isn't listening to all the players, just the ones with the biggest salaries.

Whats your deal? You do realize my name is more or less a joke. How have the players screwed this? Did they give themselves these long term deals? Did Marian Hossa or Luongo ask for a 14 year contract? The owners created this mess and if you don't realize it then I'm sorry. For instance look what the owner for the Minnesota Wild did. Signs Parise and Suter to these obnoxious contracts and then becomes one of the hardline owners in this whole process. What???
- UnnamedSource

JJ: I respect Barry Rozner here in Chicago. He tweeted these tweets this evening:

Barry Rozner ‏@BarryRozner

Covered Fehr for 2 decades in MLB. He doesn't dictate or decide. Players make the call. Unlike past incompetence, NHL players now informed.

Barry Rozner ‏@BarryRozner

Owners spent $300 million on contracts in days before lockout. Turned around and said they couldn't afford it. As always owners vs. owners.

Barry Rozner ‏@BarryRozner

You think Fehr told the players to come more than halfway in this after all the givebacks last time? He's not the reason there's no hockey.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Love Rozner....GOOD MAN IMHO....

egos have to be central to the impasse...who's kidding who

The NBA is SH I T.....10 minutes to play the last :15 seconds....cr ap'ola
- philco28

You got that right. Used to be a big NBA fan. Forget the first 46 minutes..tune in for the last 2 minutes it takes as long as the first 46 minutes. Timeouts and the free throw shooting is just out of control.

Been awhile....I have to say I disagree with Fehr being the rat. Based on what I remember of the MLB strike the players union more or less dictated to the owners what was going to happen and pretty much got everything they wanted. The NHLPA has made a lot of concessions during this whole process which I believe, based on his track record is against what Fehr is about. A lot of this is part of the negotiations but remember Bettman and the owners have done this before. The owners signed these players to these contracts and why shouldn't they be honored. Look at the dollars amounts thrown around this offseason. Parise, Suter....heck even Crosby's re-up. Then a month later the owners try to get out of the mess they created? Really? That's not right. I do agree that with all the new and increased revenue there should be a more even split. I believe and from what I've heard there is growing tension between the owners. Just look at who was involved this past week. The owners from Pitt, Tor, Wpg.....more moderate owners are having more of an influence and I think that will continue to grow. I still believe there will be a season. With the NBC contract and new sponsprship.......no way the owners throw that away.
- UnnamedSource

Yep...owners were out of bounds and duplicitous with that nonstarter.

But this whole big Pssssing contest started when the players cold cocked the realignment plan last year.

If you follow this blog, you know my position has moved more to the owners as the lockout has dragged on. Some 19 years after a Fehr-led labor dispute essentially ruined baseball (for me and many others), I have become increasingly more and more convinced that Fehr is a rat; he does not operate in good faith


Looks like the NHLs Rat has met the NHLPA Rat. Bettman meet Fehr ,Ferh meet Bettman. To think they could have had this solved in September and now their plan that was always to start in December to save money has backfired.

It's is funny how things don't always go to plan

I think Fehr has completely overplayed his hand in the negotiations. His arrogance has clouded his judgement on what they trying to accomplish in getting a deal done. This moment has pulled the owners even closer together. I don't see the players logic in delaying into January or having no season at all helps their cause.

Yep...owners were out of bounds and duplicitous with that nonstarter.

But this whole big Pssssing contest started when the players cold cocked the realignment plan last year.
- bogiedoc

Well it definitely threw a wrench into what the fans wanted. However we would still be where were at today whether that happened or not.

I think Fehr has completely overplayed his hand in the negotiations. His arrogance has clouded his judgement on what they trying to accomplish in getting a deal done. This moment has pulled the owners even closer together. I don't see the players logic in delaying into January or having no season at all helps their cause.
- themizer

How though? Like Bettman he is doing what the players want. The players have given a lot as they did last time. I don't think the owners are as close as every one thinks.....read between the lines or just observe what is happening. I don't remember where I read it but it was an article written in the last few days. It was about a few of the hard line owners like Jacoby in Boston were upset with the "new direction" some of the owner were moving these negotiations to......

No, but I've met union lawyers, they don't know any different. I blame Bettman, he's been the problem for a long time.
- Scooby_Doo

What do you mean? I love the road trips to Phx and Ana the golfing is great and I can get a ticket for under 2.00 at the door from scalpers

I think Fehr has completely overplayed his hand in the negotiations. His arrogance has clouded his judgement on what they trying to accomplish in getting a deal done. This moment has pulled the owners even closer together. I don't see the players logic in delaying into January or having no season at all helps their cause.
- themizer

I don't think that at all, I think he has the owners beyond frustrated. They've never have had to deal with a guy like Fehr. There's a reason they wanted to try and close that deal without him in the room.

I think Fehr has completely overplayed his hand in the negotiations. His arrogance has clouded his judgement on what they trying to accomplish in getting a deal done. This moment has pulled the owners even closer together. I don't see the players logic in delaying into January or having no season at all helps their cause.
- themizer

Seems like he is using Bettman like tactics to negotiate this CBA .

Some comic relief folks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMOelppTtNs

'If the players are smart, someone steps up and quickly engineers a replacement.'

unfortunately, they are looking less intelligent which each passing day without hockey.

How though? Like Bettman he is doing what the players want. The players have given a lot as they did last time. I don't think the owners are as close as every one thinks.....read between the lines or just observe what is happening. I don't remember where I read it but it was an article written in the last few days. It was about a few of the hard line owners like Jacoby in Boston were upset with the "new direction" some of the owner were moving these negotiations to......
- UnnamedSource

The longer this goes the worse it gets for everyone, at some point you have to decide to cut your losses before they extend way beyond any reasonable returns. I think they are clearly way past that point.

There are lots of players from what you read that want a deal done too. Just as you are saying some owners don't like the direction things have gone.

I think Fehr has completely overplayed his hand in the negotiations. His arrogance has clouded his judgement on what they trying to accomplish in getting a deal done. This moment has pulled the owners even closer together. I don't see the players logic in delaying into January or having no season at all helps their cause.
- themizer

you can tell by a meathead like Hartnells tweet earlier today that there are simply too many followers and not enough leaders amongst the players.

Problem with praising Bettman is that he is winning the game - NOT the reason for his being Commissioner (to get a deal done).

Three lockouts and at least one lost season - not HOF credentials.
- StLBravesFan

How is Bettman winning the game? If Don Fehr wakes up and quits tomorrow, the hockey public will be back to loathing Bettman in a matter of hours.

The "Canceler in Chief" throws an emotional hissy fit expressing hs "disappointment beyond belief" n front of some microphones and cameras with the hope of currying public favour and then spews more ridiculous rhetoric about how the union doesn't want to make a deal and then most of the observers conclude that Fehr is the bad guy here.

Fehr IS a jerk but so is Bettman. THIS IS ALL ABOUT BOTH SIDES TRY TO IMPOSE THEIR WILL ON EACH OTHER. Nothing much good comes from those types of collisions. This is a business in trouble, its commissioner's image is not mendable and his lockout strategy is a miserable failure - and that's why he is so freakin emotional.

That said, the 2 sides can be back negotiating on Saturday with a simple phone call.phone cal

I can hardly wait for Frolik and Bickell to battle it out with Raymond and Ballard. Let's get this deal done .

you can tell by a meathead like Hartnells tweet earlier today that there are simply too many followers and not enough leaders amongst the players.
- Barx

What I don't understand is does anyone think the deal that could be signed will be much better than what is in the future? After all the losses and a short term deal like the NHLPA wants, how is that deal going to be better?

Hey Jacka$$ your a moron. Who is the only commissioner to lead any league to its 3rd Lockout since he took office? Who stated in the last lockout that ticket prices would go down because of a salary cap? Who expanded the league to cities that cant support a pro hockey team? Who dumps money into franchises that have no fan support? Its Bettman. Plain and SIMPLE. BETTMAN. FEHR is doing his job and protecting the players from getting screwed. The players gave up 7 percent. What is the NHL giving the players? They want contract restrictions. Salary restrictions and contract reductions. All this to protect themselves from their own mindless GM's
- Brukie

There is only one moron and it ain't JJ, guess it must be you then. or Fehr oh there are two of you.