New NHL CBA
I have to say, I'm pretty sore at the greedy players after this last lockout. I'm glad they got less than what the owners offered last year. They DESERVE less. Why should the average Joe that makes 40K per year ante up more so Keith Tkachuk can ask for more than the 11 mil he is currently making. Did I mention he wasn't work 11K in 2003's playoffs. Really, what kind of things can you afford at 15 mil that you can't afford at 11? I hope they run Tkachuk out of town faster than he can get his Boston jersey off. Yea, I'm bitter can you tell. I commend players like Barret Jackman who played for the Otters last year and donated his entire salary to charity. He sacrified the possiblity of a career ending injury for the love of the game. A player with this kind of vision and itegrity is the kind I want my son looking up to.
Here are my thoughts on some of the changes with the new CBA:
- Player cost tied to revenue: Hmm, this sure sounds like the company I work for. If they don't generate revenue, I don't generate a paycheck. This increases the likelihood of the NHL being around long term and is a fantastic decision.
- No individual player salary can exceed 20% of a Club's Upper Limit on payroll: Again, this is a great move. If the team payroll is going down because revenue isn't high enough, let the highest priced guy take the hit.
- New Substance abuse policy: I don't have a strong opinion either way on this one. My personal stance is that these substances shouldn't be used, but the reactive approach that professional leagues have make it easy to sneak by. So I'm fine with whatever the league chooses knowing it won't be followed 100%.
- Compliance buyouts: I will really enjoy seeing Tkachuk being run out of town with this one. Come on Larry, do it today and make my weekend!
- Entry level salary bump: I'm okay with this one and don't have a strong like or dislike either way.
- No All Star Game during Olymipic Years: I like this one a lot. I also hope they shut down the NHL during the qualifying rounds too. In 2002 Pavol Demitra left the St Louis Blues early to play in Slovakia's qualifying round which meant he missed a couple NHL games. While I understand that he wants to support his country, I don't see why I should get less of a product on the ice while he is away. They didn't discount my tickets at all for those games. My being a season ticket holder, I expect the best possible product day in and day out.
- No Contract Renegotiating during its term: No shit, really. Why on earth should a player be able to regotiate during a given contract? He made his bed, now sleep in it. I wonder if my boss would allow me renegotiate the amount of money we agreed upon when I accepted my job. I'm sure I would get a pretty good laugh out of him if I asked though.
- New Signing deadline - Dec 1st: I love this new rule. Now a restricted free agent that is up at the end of a given season can't play past Dec 1st if he isn't signed beyond that year. Can you say fewer holdouts? Can't wait till the first guy tests this and his team wins the cup without him.
- Unrestricted Free Agency: With the new salary changes, I think it is only fair to free up the players to shop themselves elsewhere. If they aren't the 20% player on Team A but could be on Team B, let em walk at a younger age. This is America for crying out loud.
All in all, I think the players did a great job of renegotiating the worst possible deal for themselves. The owners finally did something smart that will allow them to actually make a few bucks which they deserve. I'm looking forward to a more blue collar NHL and can't wait till October 5th!!!!