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December 12, 2004
LANCE HORNBY
TORONTO SUN
HOPE FLOATS, as the saying goes. But National Hockey League commissioner
Gary Bettman could just as likely arm the torpedoes when he gets back to the
bargaining table with the players union here on Tuesday.
After optimism spread for an end to the lockout following Thursday's canny
offer from the union to roll back salaries 24%, there is a general feeling
that Bettman, empowered by hardliners, will insist on more and keep pushing
a form of salary cap. Giving back an estimated $528 million US in the next
three years is a fine gesture by the players, but there's no guarantee the
owners won't just spend on free agents like drunken sailors, get themselves
caught in the same trap and reimburse the union.
The owners aren't paupers and are using a $300-million war chest to ride out
a season without hockey. They would not be paying player salaries if the
start of 2005-06 is delayed as well.
GETTING A LOOK
At least Bettman is giving the union's 240-page, six-point, six-year offer a
good look this weekend and will table a counter-proposal on Tuesday. There
were in excess of 10,000 hits to the NHLPA website as of yesterday afternoon
as the union, management and fans delved into the proposal, which includes
changes to revenue sharing, salary arbitration, entry-level salary and a
luxury tax. The latter is not expected to get rave reviews by owners,
either.
But the peace overture was warmly received by the NHL Fans' Association, an
umbrella internet group that claims more than 26,000 members in Canada and
the United States. Jim Boone of Ottawa, the NHLFA's president, said the
players move reflected sentiments expressed in an internet poll taken a week
ago.
"Nine out of 10 people from about 2,500 said the players had to make more
serious concessions," Boone said. "Fans can see right through the gloppy
talk and they know the players are overpaid. But to see them shave a quarter
off their salaries ... without a doubt, you can see the trend going away
from the owners.
"The new offer obviously is a short-term solution and isn't going to fix
finances, but the onus is on the owners now. To let the season die (without
at least talking) would be a huge defeat for them."
At the Air Canada Centre, general manager Bob Hunter said the building has
no conflicts with concerts or shows should a shortened NHL season be
salvaged with a new CBA. Provided there was settlement of all CBA issues,
not just the cap/luxury tax, a season might begin in late January.
But Canadiens defenceman Sheldon Souray still predicts some expansion-era
teams will not survive the new CBA in whatever form it takes.
"No matter what, this conflict will mean the death for a couple of NHL clubs
in cities where hockey hasn't got any history," Souray told a newspaper in
Karlstad, Sweden.
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