FINALLY! But let's not count chickens just yet . . .

**Roguish Lawyer** · 06-08-2005, 13:58

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=127314&hubName=nhl

Report: NHL, NHLPA agree on cap formula
TSN.ca Staff with CP, Globe and Mail files
6/8/2005 2:06:13 PM

The Globe and Mail reports that the NHL and NHL Players' Association have agreed on a formula for a salary-cap system based on team-by-team revenue.

The salary-cap issue was seen as the biggest hurdle in talks for a new collective bargaining agreement.

According to the Globe's league and player sources, a salary floor and cap will based on a percentage of each NHL team's revenue. The paper adds that in the first year - based on revenue projections by both sides - the salary cap will range from $34 million to $36 million US, with the floor from $22 million to $24 million US.

The Globe also reports that the formula calls for a dollar-for-dollar luxury tax to kick in at the halfway mark between the floor and the cap. If the floor of the lowest team is $22 million US and the cap on the highest team is $36 million US, then the 'tax level' will be $29 million US.

The formula would allow wealthier teams to spend a bit more money, but would also bridge the large gaps in spending between higher payroll teams and lower payroll teams.

Small group labour talks between both sides ended late Tuesday night and resume today in New York with a larger group meeting.

Both sides have carried over the momentum from last week when 34 hours of talks were described as 'progressive' from both sides.

There are several issues to iron out, but sources in both camps believe there's a chance a deal could be done before July. Still, both sides also concede there are potential pitfalls that could prevent an agreement from being reached.

Today's session is the 21st meeting between the two sides since the season was cancelled Feb. 16.

NHL vice-president and chief legal officer Bill Daly and NHLPA senior director Ted Saskin declined to confirm or deny anything to The Globe and Mail.

Files from CP and The Globe and Mail were used for this report.

Goggles Pizano · 06-08-2005, 15:49

However should they get a deal done there has been, in one fan's opinion, a great deal of damage done to the sport. No tv deal, ticket prices through the roof, and a watered down product is not enough to reel in a disenchanted fan base.

rubberneck · 06-08-2005, 16:26

At this point who cares? I was born an raised as big Ranger fan but even I had to walk away from the game in recent months. I get college hockey on my extended sports plan so I didn't miss the NHL much any way.

The sad thing is the players will end up getting what the owners offered before the season was cancelled. It is too bad the season had to be sacrificed to satisfy the egos that run the players union. In the end the players gain nothing and they lose a year on an already limited career.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 06-08-2005, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubberneck

At this point who cares? I was born an raised as big Ranger fan but even I had to walk away from the game in recent months. I get college hockey on my extended sports plan so I didn't miss the NHL much any way.

The sad thing is the players will end up getting what the owners offered before the season was cancelled. It is too bad the season had to be sacrificed to satisfy the egos that run the players union. In the end the players gain nothing and they lose a year on an already limited career.

I agree with the second point, but not the first. I watched lots of college, junior and minor-league hockey too, but it was not a perfect substitute.

The big question is how Colorado can win any games when they can't outspend everyone else.

Goggles Pizano · 06-08-2005, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

The big question is how Colorado can win any games when they can't outspend everyone else.

Just opened that can of worms didn't you, without hesitation!

I'm cheering for the Phantoms to ease the pain.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 06-08-2005, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goggles Pizano

I'm cheering for the Phantoms to ease the pain.

Did they stay in the Spectrum or play in the big building this past year?

06-08-2005, 18:13

YES FINALLY !
but i have to admit, watching minor league hockey has been really fun.
Chris
TITANS all the way! I almost ended up on there junior team but didn't really like how things were run.

Goggles Pizano · 06-08-2005, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

Did they stay in the Spectrum or play in the big building this past year?

Spectrum for the season and wacovia for the playoffs. They are up 3-0 by the way.

jon448 · 06-09-2005, 06:41

Well now that there's a cap Sinden and Jacob's will finally have an excuse to keep spending down. However I hope that this will reduce ticket prices. Especially for the B's I mean we were I think 3rd in ticket prices and in the middle in spending thats just bull.
But to really fix the NHL I think they seriously do need to contract a few teams. Because that would help increase scoring by having more talented players working together. I mean look at the Oiler's of the early mid 80s they had Gretzky, Kurri, Messier and a whole host of others, that would/could never happen in today's NHL. They also instead of increasing net size to just decrease the size of goalies equipment. It's just getting out of hand with regards to pads especially upperbody, don't get me wrong I'm all for protection but does protection really entail 4 foot wide shoulder pads. Thats just my opinion but I'm just a dumb kid.

06-09-2005, 07:06

Sounds like some good ideas to me. Did you see the size and shape of the net they wanted to change it to? If it aint broke don't fix it. And to the size of the goalie equipment, it is getting a little rediculous. Yet there are a lot more restrictions now adays, especially at my age group. The sticks and the size of the curve are being regulated more and the equipment one is alowed to use is being really strictly regulated. In my oppinion the biggest mistake of the NHL, is not appealing to all kids. Its a sport that everyone could play but they limit it to just certain kids, I know its the cost also, for all the equipment. But if they figure out a way to limit the cost of equipment and make it more appealing to kids other than just rich white kids, than it might take off more and they might fill up the seats at the arena.
Chris

CoLawman · 06-09-2005, 07:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

I agree with the second point, but not the first. I watched lots of college, junior and minor-league hockey too, but it was not a perfect substitute.

The big question is how Colorado can win any games when they can't outspend everyone else.

Ah, Counselor you fail to recognize the intangible..................MR. PIERRE LACROIX. I seem to recall two players who were willing to play for substantially less money just to play at the PEPSI CENTER with the likes of Sakic and Forsberg.

GO AVS!

jon448 · 06-09-2005, 07:21

Chris I was just checkin out your profile and I noticed you said you were gonna play in college where were you thinkin of playin? Cuz I actually played at my first 3 schools, well I played at my first one and sat on the bench at my other 2 but whats the difference right?
I don't really understand what you're saying about kids not wanting to play in the NHL? Where else would you want to play? Plus cost is a prohibition but maybe they could do something like Pop Warner where the teams have the equipment and you just use it for the season or something
While we're on the subject I'd like to congratulate Cam Neely on his recent HOF election. He is one of the real nice guys of the hockey world. I used to go to a camp run by him every year in the Boston area and even when he was injured he was there every day working with all of the kids. I went for about 3 or 4 straight years, and he took the time to learn alot of the repeat kids' names and actually remember them too. So congrats Cam

rubberneck · 06-09-2005, 08:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

I agree with the second point, but not the first. I watched lots of college, junior and minor-league hockey too, but it was not a perfect substitute.

I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the NHL lockout happened to coincide with the rebirth of the Badger hockey program on a national level. For me college hockey was the perfect substitute. YMMV.

Besides who the heck wants to pay through the nose for Rangers tickets just to watch a grossly disfunctional oarganization ruin the sport. THe only way the NHL will survive is if the Dolan's are given a one way ticket out of the sport.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 06-09-2005, 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoLawman

I seem to recall two players who were willing to play for substantially less money just to play at the PEPSI CENTER with the likes of Sakic and Forsberg.

GO AVS!

So how did that work out for you?

CoLawman · 06-09-2005, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

So how did that work out for you?

Ahem..........well San Jose finished us off in the semi conference series. But Kariya did score a point (an assist) in that final game. Selanne.......well he uh....well he played too.

But Dammmmmm they were good in the regular season!

Colorado is a very charitable organization. We believe in sharing some of the space on the Stanley Cup with the less fortunate organizations.

I do agree with the Badger who posted above regarding College Hockey. Was there a Colorado team in their somewhere? Just a little dig. Any fan of hockey is alright in my book!