The initial CBA offer from the league

[HordiBrusk29]

Renaud P. Lavoie of RDS in Montreal has reported five major points from the NHL's first CBA proposal, and you may want to sit down, because I'm gonna give it to you straight. If the owners aren't going to budge from these five points, we are most definitely headed for a lockout:

1. Reduce players' hockey-related revenues to 46% from 57 %.

2. 10 seasons in the NHL before being eligible for unrestricted free agency.

3. Contracts limited to 5 years.

4. No more salary arbitration.

5. Entry-level contract are 5 years long instead of 3.

Link

[HordiBrusk29]

I wonder how long it'll take for the NHLPA to reject this and shove it down Bettman's throat?

[JKidd]

The players should take this "proposal," wipe their ass with it, and then shove into Bettman's face - skidmark first.

The owners and Bettman offered up one of the most disgraceful offers I've ever seen between a pro sports ownership group and the players association.

**** this garbage. As Trevor Linden said weeks ago, there is no hope for this season to start on time with this **** going on.

[Baronking]

Here we go again...****ers are blind to what the last lockout did for the league.

[Wadubbin]

www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=400580

Seems to me the league is shooting for the stars,and are asking a lot of the players.Asking for a reduction revenue which amounts to an 11% reduction.

Maximum of 5 years on contracts.Something that I think is a little too low.I would go 7 as the max,but these 10-13 years contracts are absurd.

10 years that players have to play to hit unrestricted free agency is crazy.

The elimination of salary arbitration takes another tool out of the players back pocket for more money.

And all entry level contracts would be five years instead of the three that they are now..

Signing bonuses would be eliminated and there would be no more front loaded contracts because the proposal would be that all contracts would have an equal cap hit throughout the length of the contract per year...

Well I say good luck to the NHL getting what you want out the NHLPA.With Donald Fehr leading them,and with some of your initial proposals out there now,and no serious discussions scheduled probably until September...It all adds up to a work stoppage to me...And that's something that this league does not need..

[I_am_Belak_2]

The only part that makes sense is the no front-loaded contracts. The rest is just comical.

[Fighting101]

As you said, it's the INITIAL proposal. You can be assured that nobody expects anyone to sign it. However, it's the first of many proposals. The NHLPA will come up with their own one-sided offer and then they can figure out where to go from there. I'm actually surprised with what was offered. It may seem unfair to the players, but generally the first proposal is pretty absurd in what's being asked. You figure that they will meet someone in the middle, which is kind of what you are asking for.

5 year max contracts will probably go 7-9.
Salary reduction would be 5% instead of 11%.

With that initial offering, I'm pretty optimistic this will be done quickly. Both sides know they can't afford a lockout, and that seems to be a pretty realistic first offer.

[NickDoh]

Always gotta low-ball em first!

[chilly666]

it's not a salary reduction...it's a reduction in the revenue split.

[D Y B FLYERS]

Originally Posted by Wadubbin

www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=400580

Seems to me the league is shooting for the stars,and are asking a lot of the players.Asking for a reduction revenue which amounts to an 11% reduction.

Maximum of 5 years on contracts.Something that I think is a little too low.I would go 7 as the max,but these 10-13 years contracts are absurd.

10 years that players have to play to hit unrestricted free agency is crazy.

The elimination of salary arbitration takes another tool out of the players back pocket for more money.

And all entry level contracts would be five years instead of the three that they are now..

Signing bonuses would be eliminated and there would be no more front loaded contracts because the proposal would be that all contracts would have an equal cap hit throughout the length of the contract per year...

Well I say good luck to the NHL getting what you want out the NHLPA.With Donald Fehr leading them,and with some of your initial proposals out there now,and no serious discussions scheduled probably until September...It all adds up to a work stoppage to me...And that's something that this league does not need..

The league is shooting for the stars, but not really. The first offer is usually always a lowball. Wait until the NHLPA comes back with theirs, and it will probably be just as absurd.

As for the contracts, I'd like to see a max between 5-7 years. I think even 8-9 years is a bit long.

I think the 10 years required to be an UFA is way beyond what they could actually get. I'm not even sure what they're trying to get with that.

Eliminating salary arbitration won't happen.

I could see the entry level contracts possibly going to 5 years, but unlikely.

I think the one I like the most is that no more signing bonuses will be permitted and no front loaded contracts.

We'll see what the league comes back with, probably nothing close, but hopefully they can keep working and meet somewhere in the middle.

[Stevens Lindros]

I doubt the season starts on time...

[BobNystromOwnsU]

This lockout will just help the minors.

And islander fans won't have to watch 82 games of misery for the 6th straight year.

No UFA for 10 years? Hahahahahaha.

[Stevens Lindros]

here's hoping the season starts before November.

[Stevens Lindros]

Don't forget that the season can technically go on without a CBA agreement, but that didn't happen last time.

[straka91]

Talk about a low ball offer, jesus. Bettman was smart doing it though, as of now players will be lucky to get 50% of revenue share, which is probably the NHL's actual target. By the book negotiating tactic and will not get passed by the players. Lockout for sure now.

Im not in favor of the UFA age being set at 28. Offseasons are already boring lol.