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The cap percentage may go down but the dollars won't go down in 2012. The NBA players got a freeze in their cap to let the dollars grow and percentages catch up with the lower cap number. That's the only possible solution here. There are too many teams near the cap right now to allow a more restrictive system put in place.
Revenue sharing will be the hottest topic of the negotiation. The players want to see many more dollars flowing from the rich teams to the poorer teams. I've heard that there is a lot of acrimony between the owners on this issue. The players will be pouring gas on this fire. Fehr got baseball teams to accept more revenue sharing and it's led to greater equity in baseball for the first time in many years. Bettman won't be negotiating with rank amateurs this time around.
And as for the Phoenix UFAs, Doan will be in Phoenix as long as there is a Phoenix. If this thing collapses he becomes a very valued free agent. Whitney is 40 and looked it during the playoffs. This is his last payday and if someone (not the Coyotes) comes up with a 2 year contract that's where he will be going. Taylor Pyatt might be a nice 4th line get. Rozsival could also be a 7th defenseman candidate. Both would need to be bargain basement pickups.
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