The NHLPA needs to get the boys on the ice. Their viewership would be through the roof given the severe lack of sports on TV right now. And I'm sorry, but the NHLPA forced their way into being partners with the NHL, and now that times are not prosporous, are going to have to take some losses on their end. That's how business works in the big boy world.

So.... If possible take a larger differal (because you can get that back!!!) and keep escrow as low as possible. That's it. Now if you boys want to make the big bucks, you'd better be prepared to play! Don't expect any compensation for games you don't play.
- bikeguy99

Part of the problem with the bubble was viewership was down around 60% and the NBA viewership was down more than 70%. I haven’t seen the NFL numbers yet. It’s a hard nut to crack with more people at home and no place to go. Viewers tuned out

Here’s another quick hit on owners wanting to opt out:

https://www.prohockeyrumo...t-to-play-in-2020-21.html

Bettman telling them that is not an option. Interesting that any of this chatter actually hit the “rags”.

Also, the NWHL is holding a condensed bubble season between 1/23 and 2/5. Players will all be paid for the full season (according to this). That could result in massive losses for such a young league, and I’m not certain how they can address the financials.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...021-season-in-bubble.html

Yup. Agreed. Think of all the AHL guys who would kill for a shot to wear their clubs NHL jersey, make 900k, and have their family watch them on TV. The show must go on, and I honestly think going back to the Bubble is their best option, only with a couple tweaks. Each club should have 2 teams (split squad), so one squad can be at home, training independently, while the other is in the bubble. There would be no shortage of great stories to follow, and the Bubble was run perfectly for the playoffs. It's not ideal, but it worked last time.
- bikeguy99

The players will never go for another bubble situation especially for an entire season.

Next week is the deadline on deciding a season and the NHL and PA haven’t spoken since last Thursday. The players seem to be standing firm regarding any further concessions.

https://nhlrumors.com/nhl...and-sam-morin/2020/11/25/

The players will never go for another bubble situation especially for an entire season.
- JetFuel

The anxiety and the cost are so prohibitive. The thought of creating a new bubble every couple of weeks in a different area is almost absurd.

The second and third teams in this scenario could split the remainder 50-50, or in other words $2 million - $1.5 million - $1.5 million between the three teams. This actually happened like five or six years ago to Devan Dubnyk, whose contract was at one point split 50-25-25 between Edmonton, Nashville, and Montreal (though he never ended up playing any games for the Canadiens).
- Sven22

Thanks Sven!

Yup! No sense in doing any signings or trade activity til the NHL determines IF and HOW and WHEN there is to be a season. At this point I believe they will delay it another month for a Feb 1 start and a 40 game season that extends til May then a play-off that ends around July 10.....Olympics start on the 23rd....too close?

Here’s another quick hit on owners wanting to opt out:

https://www.prohockeyrumo...t-to-play-in-2020-21.html

Bettman telling them that is not an option. Interesting that any of this chatter actually hit the “rags”.

Also, the NWHL is holding a condensed bubble season between 1/23 and 2/5. Players will all be paid for the full season (according to this). That could result in massive losses for such a young league, and I’m not certain how they can address the financials.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...021-season-in-bubble.html
- Jeremy Laura

Players need to "suck it up" and start playing,
The league is not asking for anything outrageous.

https://nypost.com/2020/1...-of-not-starting-on-time/

Not sure how you can blame the league, after they willingly worked with the players
and tried to pay them what they could, looking at 82 games season in July/August.
Now that it is not possible to play 82, of course prorated salary is in play.
Escrow could have been 70% and Salary Cap 50 million, if the league "followed the CBA they signed"
Not to mention the existing "Force majeure" clause in the same CBA.
- StargateSG1

How can it be force majeure? The agreement was signed in the middle of the pandemic. You can’t really argue it’s a sudden new development now.

The NHLPA needs to get the boys on the ice. Their viewership would be through the roof given the severe lack of sports on TV right now. And I'm sorry, but the NHLPA forced their way into being partners with the NHL, and now that times are not prosporous, are going to have to take some losses on their end. That's how business works in the big boy world.

So.... If possible take a larger differal (because you can get that back!!!) and keep escrow as low as possible. That's it. Now if you boys want to make the big bucks, you'd better be prepared to play! Don't expect any compensation for games you don't play.
- bikeguy99

So in the big boy world contracts don’t mean anything? I get that the league wants to try to get a better deal now but don’t try paint this as a noble crusade on their part. They signed a deal in the pandemic, they don’t like it anymore and want it changed and the players are pissed. They’ll negotiate, maybe work something out or maybe not and they won’t be a season. Covid might kill (sorry for the pun) anyway.

The anxiety and the cost are so prohibitive. The thought of creating a new bubble every couple of weeks in a different area is almost absurd.
- Jeremy Laura

From what I've read and heard it seems like most of the players didn't like the bubble experience very much which is probably why some teams looked like they were 'mailing it in.

WOW !!
Boychuk's career is OVER!!!
https://www.tsn.ca/eye-in...oychuk-s-career-1.1556345


The Isles have no one to trade to get Barzal signed now!

And Sergachev is signed! $4.8 AAV x 3 is all it took!

WOW !!
Boychuk's career is OVER!!!
https://www.tsn.ca/eye-in...oychuk-s-career-1.1556345


The Isles have no one to trade to get Barzal signed now!

And Sergachev is signed! $4.8 AAV x 3 is all it took!
- HenryHockey

Robidas Island.

Bridge deal.

Stamkos LTIR is up next.

Robidas Island.

Bridge deal.

Stamkos LTIR is up next.
- gergeswillems

Hmmmm, Stammer, that is one way to take one for the team.

Hmmmm, Stammer, that is one way to take one for the team.

- HenryHockey

It's much easier to pull off in a 48 game regular season.

So in the big boy world contracts don’t mean anything? I get that the league wants to try to get a better deal now but don’t try paint this as a noble crusade on their part. They signed a deal in the pandemic, they don’t like it anymore and want it changed and the players are pissed. They’ll negotiate, maybe work something out or maybe not and they won’t be a season. Covid might kill (sorry for the pun) anyway.
- Canada Cup

Not to give an inch to the owners, but the last signing was based on 3 scenarios including a “worst case”. Unfortunately, things are much worse than the “worst case” and the finances are tapped. Everyone needs to understand that the hope of the playoffs recovering revenue (which was what they thought) backfired and added to the debt. They were also basing much of this on having fans in the seats by January. With all that off the table, each game loses 1.7 million (on average) in ticket sales. And now, the NBC TV deal isn’t in place. The revenue isn’t in place and so things are much worse than when the last agreement was signed. It sucks, but it’s why owners are talking about shutting down (at least a few have inquired about selling, I’ve heard as many as 6)

Not to give an inch to the owners, but the last signing was based on 3 scenarios including a “worst case”. Unfortunately, things are much worse than the “worst case” and the finances are tapped. Everyone needs to understand that the hope of the playoffs recovering revenue (which was what they thought) backfired and added to the debt. They were also basing much of this on having fans in the seats by January. With all that off the table, each game loses 1.7 million (on average) in ticket sales. And now, the NBC TV deal isn’t in place. The revenue isn’t in place and so things are much worse than when the last agreement was signed. It sucks, but it’s why owners are talking about shutting down (at least a few have inquired about selling, I’ve heard as many as 6)
- Jeremy Laura

Thing is, who's going to want to buy an NHL team in this current environment? Some owners may want to sell their teams. But if there's no buyers then it means nothing. Unless the owners are willing to eat warm sandwiches and sell their teams for pennies on the dollar.

It's much easier to pull off in a 48 game regular season.
- gergeswillems

He could come back near the end of the season as well, that would probably give the Bolts enough time to become cap compliant, and Stammer would be fresh for the play-offs. Might be a time when they could move Johnson to a team that needs a C to a team that has an injured C. Yeah, Stammer needs more time to recoup,,,,

He could come back near the end of the season as well, that would probably give the Bolts enough time to become cap compliant, and Stammer would be fresh for the play-offs. Might be a time when they could move Johnson to a team that needs a C to a team that has an injured C. Yeah, Stammer needs more time to recoup,,,,

- HenryHockey

All Brisebois has to do is say that Stamkos had a relapse and off to LTIR he goes. But we'll pretend to be surprised. 😉

All Brisebois has to do is say that Stamkos had a relapse and off to LTIR he goes. But we'll pretend to be surprised. 😉
- gergeswillems

Ah, the Lupul effect. That one got uncomfortable for a minute

Thing is, who's going to want to buy an NHL team in this current environment? Some owners may want to sell their teams. But if there's no buyers then it means nothing. Unless the owners are willing to eat warm sandwiches and sell their teams for pennies on the dollar.
- gergeswillems

That’s dead on. There’s a lot of “posturing” going on. Owners can’t sell without league permission, so it’s a bit empty. There are some teams in really bad financial shape, I don’t think the league could handle taking them all on either. Strange times

Not to give an inch to the owners, but the last signing was based on 3 scenarios including a “worst case”. Unfortunately, things are much worse than the “worst case” and the finances are tapped. Everyone needs to understand that the hope of the playoffs recovering revenue (which was what they thought) backfired and added to the debt. They were also basing much of this on having fans in the seats by January. With all that off the table, each game loses 1.7 million (on average) in ticket sales. And now, the NBC TV deal isn’t in place. The revenue isn’t in place and so things are much worse than when the last agreement was signed. It sucks, but it’s why owners are talking about shutting down (at least a few have inquired about selling, I’ve heard as many as 6)
- Jeremy Laura

I don’t begrudge them trying to get a better deal but these guys with their “big boys world” make me laugh. Both sides knew that this mind is medical situation was a real possibility so I don’t buy the shock and surprise. They are either lying or incompetent because there’s no way they could have expected fans in California, NY or NJ when those Governors said not before vaccines.

We make a mistake if we think of owners all having the same interests. You’re probably right about there being six or so who will lose more than they make if they play. But I really doubt that it’s in the interest of the rest of the league to go dark for a year, especially after half a season and if NBA is going. If history is any guide I think we can guess which group Gary will support.

I’m not sure it’s in the interest of the PA to simply cave and agree to changes owners are asking for in a deal they just signed. Give them something but don’t give them everything or find another way to allow the bottom feeders to spend less - keep the floor down but allow some teams to spend more, or something.

I don’t begrudge them trying to get a better deal but these guys with their “big boys world” make me laugh. Both sides knew that this mind is medical situation was a real possibility so I don’t buy the shock and surprise. They are either lying or incompetent because there’s no way they could have expected fans in California, NY or NJ when those Governors said not before vaccines.

We make a mistake if we think of owners all having the same interests. You’re probably right about there being six or so who will lose more than they make if they play. But I really doubt that it’s in the interest of the rest of the league to go dark for a year, especially after half a season and if NBA is going. If history is any guide I think we can guess which group Gary will support.

I’m not sure it’s in the interest of the PA to simply cave and agree to changes owners are asking for in a deal they just signed. Give them something but don’t give them everything or find another way to allow the bottom feeders to spend less - keep the floor down but allow some teams to spend more, or something.
- Canada Cup

The "or something " is to prorate the salaries of the players to the amount of games to be played. They got paid for a full season last year( I believe). Let's be fair, after all they aren't government employees!

The "or something " is to prorate the salaries of the players to the amount of games to be played. They got paid for a full season last year( I believe). Let's be fair, after all they aren't government employees!

- HenryHockey

The agreement didn’t stipulate that players get paid less if they play fewer games which was kind of dumb of the league. But it’s called negotiating. There’s no reason why the league proposal is the only way forward.

I don’t begrudge them trying to get a better deal but these guys with their “big boys world” make me laugh. Both sides knew that this mind is medical situation was a real possibility so I don’t buy the shock and surprise. They are either lying or incompetent because there’s no way they could have expected fans in California, NY or NJ when those Governors said not before vaccines.

We make a mistake if we think of owners all having the same interests. You’re probably right about there being six or so who will lose more than they make if they play. But I really doubt that it’s in the interest of the rest of the league to go dark for a year, especially after half a season and if NBA is going. If history is any guide I think we can guess which group Gary will support.

I’m not sure it’s in the interest of the PA to simply cave and agree to changes owners are asking for in a deal they just signed. Give them something but don’t give them everything or find another way to allow the bottom feeders to spend less - keep the floor down but allow some teams to spend more, or something.
- Canada Cup

I’ll disagree on the shock. There is genuine surprise that the playoffs did nothing to bring in more revenue. Keep in mind, the billion + deficit is money that’s already been spent between last season’s salaries and expenses and this season’s. The league lost money on the bubble, adding to that. Almost all teams that miss the playoffs either break even or lose money in a normal year. San Jose is a team that’s operated on a deficit trying to win for years. With the shortened season and revenue falloff, at least half the teams are losing money without any revenue coming in. Massive staff layoffs have happened (Buffalo let go of at least 30). Clubs kept paying employees through the summer with nothing coming in. Season tickets was supposed to be the next big revenue injection but with no games scheduled, you can’t really sell them.

The last deal is akin to someone re-negotiating a mortgage. The situation was looked at and adjusted. Then, after that is re signed, someone loses their job/income. Now you have to go back and say you can’t afford what you agreed on. It is shockingly bad. We are now at 8 months with no real revenue coming in for clubs. Even though owners have “deep pockets”, try to imagine any business being able to go this long without money coming in. In reality, there’s at least one more month. The expenses will shoot up once camps start. NBC TV deal isn’t in place, and many regional deals charge a penalty when less than 82 games are played. Owners are looking at the next round of checks for players and nothing coming in to help with that. I don’t know of any businesses able to payout with almost a year of no revenues coming in.