Eklund: Source: NHL/PA deadline in one week, and a creative solution to get it done

A creative solution would be getting 1/2 of America to admit there is a pandemic.

I'm looking forward to "trades a plenty"...because so far there wasn't much to be excited about. Maybe Gaudreau for JVR + Ghost comes back to the table?

I'm looking forward to "trades a plenty"...because so far there wasn't much to be excited about. Maybe Gaudreau for JVR + Ghost comes back to the table?
- Kooleus

I'm looking forward to "trades a plenty"...because so far there wasn't much to be excited about. Maybe Gaudreau for JVR + Ghost comes back to the table?
- Kooleus

It all depends on where power forward Mike Hoffman signs. Dominoes will fall after teams know he's no longer available. Don't forget about the MAF sweepstakes. Lehner is injured. But Vegas is still trading MAF.

I'm looking forward to "trades a plenty"...because so far there wasn't much to be excited about. Maybe Gaudreau for JVR + Ghost comes back to the table?
Koolues

I would like the Jets to trade Laine for a RD. Trade him to NJ for Severson, Zacha and Nolan Foote

I love a good Billionaires vs millionaires dispute. As we the peasents vocalize on social media. Its a wonderful world.

Nope. No outs for teams with poor cap management and bad contracts

If the NHLPA wants to free up cash for the remaining 100 Free Agents have the players accept a salary rollback for 2021 (in addition to the deferral and escrow) and there will be $$ for unsigned players

The owners do not owe the players 1 cent above the 50/50 hockey revenue. Maybe those unsigned players don’t have jobs this year. Welcome to the real world when businesses are low on cash. Thems the breaks

Eklund: Source: NHL/PA deadline in one week, and a creative solution to get it done
- Eklund

When the NHLPA entered into a partnership with the NHL, they became a cohesive unit. Now, the NHLPA needs to understand that they don't get paid for games that are not played. It sucks, but buying into your company can have this effect during tough times. So simply, let the fella's know that they aren't getting paid while they sit at home. They are welcome to opt out if they feel unsafe, but if they wan't a paycheck, get ready to play. If the season is shorter, expect pro-rated salaries. Sucks, but in no way should the owners be pressured into a partnership with the players, then forced to pay them not to play.

I do not fully understand how escrow can have such incredibly high rates, nor how the players can agree on a % deferral.

Poor players!

The thought of playing say 67% (55 of 82) games
(or 58% if they only play 48 games)
and getting paid a minimum of 80% (100% - Escrow of 20%)

In fact, some will get paid a higher percent if their contract has a high annual Bonus pais upfront vs periodic salary.

Boohoo.

This whole thing is fascinating. I mean I get most of these players never had a real job so they have no context, but if one gets paid a couple less MILLION a year -- for now -- to play a sport the rest of us pay to play working our retarded jobs, what exactly is the issue?

When the NHLPA entered into a partnership with the NHL, they became a cohesive unit. Now, the NHLPA needs to understand that they don't get paid for games that are not played. It sucks, but buying into your company can have this effect during tough times. So simply, let the fella's know that they aren't getting paid while they sit at home. They are welcome to opt out if they feel unsafe, but if they wan't a paycheck, get ready to play. If the season is shorter, expect pro-rated salaries. Sucks, but in no way should the owners be pressured into a partnership with the players, then forced to pay them not to play.

I do not fully understand how escrow can have such incredibly high rates, nor how the players can agree on a % deferral.
- bikeguy99

Escrow is the players own fault. The cap is based on the median between the cap floor and the cap ceiling based on projected revenue. In a normal season scenario that would be 73 Million (81 cap/65 floor). If every team spent 73 Million and revenues were as projected there would be no escrow

BUT

With front loaded salaries, the NHLPA using the up to 5% cap escalators and most teams spending near the cap ceiling, it claws back amount of players on previously negotiated contracts to reach the 50/50 CBA revenue splits

Players have the ability to not use the escalator, not demand front loaded salaries heavy on bonuses and this alone will reduce the escrow they hate so much

THEY are the ones that wanted the cap linked to revenues. (Didn't seem to complain when the cap went up every year)Revenue falls, Cap falls. Because the cap is on a fixed number (81.5 for the next 3 seasons regardless of revenue), that means the shortfall gets made up through escrow

- Aetherial

The only thing I never understood about Gaudreau for JVR + Ghost...is that not only does Philly get the best player in the deal, get the younger player in the deal, but they also gain almost $5M of cap space in the deal. But maybe there is more too it. Like maybe Calgary also sends another bad contract with Gaudreau. Or Philly includes a top prospect. We don't know all the details. So I wouldn't be so quick to laugh this one off. Ek has a Calgary source that nailed the Markstrom signing so this could be true as well.

The most creative solution would have been to simply scrap a season already lost in 19/20... and focus on getting back to normal in 20/21. but i guess that ship has sailed...

I don't Think Foote is going anywhere. Zacha maybe. Severson Maybe. Fitzy is all set in going with prospects and not trades and free agency. Fitzy is playing the Long game and not a quick fix which I am happy with. I think the Devils will return to glory.....but not this season...2 years from now maybe...3 for sure.

The same 1/2 that don't believe there's a pandemic are the same ones who see UFOs and Bigfoot. I love my country but half of the people are useless

The league could do with a few less teams

I love a good Billionaires vs millionaires dispute. As we the peasents vocalize on social media. Its a wonderful world.
- spazzbot

It's funny cause it's true....

Seems a little unfair to let the bigger market teams circumvent the cap and add assets; but totally in line with the way the league operates.

I don't see the top teams spending more on players, then giving more money to smaller teams, when they know they aren't going to make any money this season.

If the average ticket was 100 bucks, you have 17,500 seats in the building and have 41 home games that totals a $70 million loss. The Bruins, Canadiens, Leafs, Rangers are going to be out like $150-200 million!

Will be no season till next fall.

Players want to be paid, owners do not want so spend money with no fans. Neither group will back down = no season.

This is not complicated.

I cannot see this season getting started The Big Apple is all but closed and many other cities are shutdown How in the hell are they going to play hockey without butts in the seats??????????? Shut it down

I cannot see this season getting started The Big Apple is all but closed and many other cities are shutdown How in the hell are they going to play hockey without butts in the seats??????????? Shut it down
- broncohorvath

Doubleheaders will save some costs.

Bruins re-sign Jake DeBrusk. Sign and trade, Ek?

https://www.tsn.ca/boston...35-million-deal-1.1555633

just bump the nhl roster to 30 players, only count the top 23 for the cap

problem solved

The same 1/2 that don't believe there's a pandemic are the same ones who see UFOs and Bigfoot. I love my country but half of the people are useless
- Tedge77

which half?