Saw our Old Friends Eklund posted this regarding the New CBA agreement -*
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=46080
There are basically 15 points in his "proposal". Although I often find his rumors and sources quite annoying and speculative at best, he imo makes a few sound, interesting and valid points just here. And a few bloopers. Please discuss the actual points and not the source!
#1. The Two Way Contract Fix
Interesting way of retaining talent in NA opposed to skipping to Europe
#2 Expand the Playoffs to 20 Teams.*
NO
#3 Require a Second Team in Southern Ontario
Require should instead be "eagerly support and encourage"
#4. Allow Dollars to Be Traded Between teams.
YES
#5. Re-work the NHL Discipline System *
Interesting idea
#6. Allow Bonuses For Everyone.*
Why not if bonus cushion is again allowed evening out cap implications until the next year?
#7 A Week of Courtship Prior To July 1.
YES
#8 Publish Transcripts of Player Arbitrations.
Throw out arbitration as is now altogether. It is a farce.
#9 Treat Euro’s the Same as Canadian Juniors.
NO
#10 Allow AHL players to practice with the NHL team without affecting the salary cap.
YES
#11. If A Team Doesn’t Want to Pay Revenue Sharing They Can’t Take the Entry Fee.
Urrrm not sure it would work
#12. When a UFA is signed the team losing him gets compensated for time spent Developing the player.
interesting thought but is it realistic?
#13. A Luxury Tax Paid To Go over the Cap.
Well this will be a big number between the30 owners now - will it not?
#14. Force Teams With Waiting Lists to Raise Ticket Prices.
Force might be a bit stern, but supply/demand should somehow work itself out - no?
#15. Franchise Tags.
YES! But how in realty? Good drafting should be premiered
In addition, the players will have to give in to a compromise of salary % (50-52%, evening out in 2-3 years, thereafter a 5% annual cushion, cap max at 68 m this year) and accept something close to some of the proposed rules about FA status, ELCs... No salary rollbacks (unless Bettman does the same) in real money, only cap allocated. Solving the weaker teams situations may not be entirely viable here, but they are doomed from the start anyways IMO. This is business and if the plan does not stick or the management s awful, it will always fail.