Final Offer

[Wendel Clark]

It looks like the NHL has made its final offer to the union with no room to negotiate
it involves a cap at 42.5 million.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=115048

here is a letter that bettman sent to goodenow

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=115051

[leafaholix*]

In my opinion, $42.5M is fair.

[p.l.f.]

Bettman letter to Goodenow

TSN.ca Staff

2/15/2005

The following is a letter NHL commissioner Gary Bettman sent to NHLPA Executive Director Bob Goodenow on Tuesday.

Dear Bob:

We attempted to reach out to you with yesterday's offer of a team maximum cap of $42.2MM ($40MM in salary and $2.2MM in benefits) which was not linked to League-wide revenues. As Bill told Ted, "de-linking" a maximum team salary cap from League revenues and total League-wide player compensation has always been problematic for us, especially since we cannot now quantify the damage to the League from the lockout. This presents the risk we will pay out more than we can afford. As you know, if all 30 teams were to spend to the maximum we proposed, and if the damage to our business is as we discussed at our meetings in New York, then the League would continue to lose money.

I know, as do you, that the "deal" we can make will only get worse for the players if we cancel the season - whatever damage we have suffered to date will pale in comparison to the damage from a cancelled season and we will certainly not be able to afford what is presently on the table. Accordingly, I am making one final effort to reach out to make a deal that will let us play this season.

We are increasing our offer of yesterday by increasing the maximum individual team cap to $44.7MM ($42.5MM in salary and $2.2MM in benefits). This offer is not an invitation to begin negotiations - it's too late for that. This is our last effort to make a deal that's fair to the players and one that the Clubs (hopefully) can afford. We have no more flexibility and there is no time for further negotiation.

If this offer is acceptable, please let me know by 11:00 A.M. tomorrow, in advance of my scheduled press conference. Hopefully, the press conference will not be necessary.

Sincerely,



Gary B. Bettman
Commissioner

[p.l.f.]

We are increasing our offer of yesterday by increasing the maximum individual team cap to $44.7MM ($42.5MM in salary and $2.2MM in benefits).

what does that mean?
what benefits?

[Mess]

Originally Posted by p.l.f.

We are increasing our offer of yesterday by increasing the maximum individual team cap to $44.7MM ($42.5MM in salary and $2.2MM in benefits).

what does that mean?
what benefits?

Benefits include Salary insurance costs, Medical, Dental, payroll taxes etc. that each team has..

[Leaf Army]

I feel very priviledged to be able to read the actual letter that Bob Goodenow reiceved from Gary Bettman.

This whole process is a bush-league farce.

[p.l.f.]

ok
its 42.5 in salary, i got it
putting it in brackets seems.....sly

i can see dental plans being important
and mri's

[p.l.f.]

goodenows mock letter to bettman

dear gary,

why you little *****....

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah



ok, deal.

yours truly
bob

[Mess]

Originally Posted by Leaf Army

I feel very priviledged to be able to read the actual letter that Bob Goodenow reiceved from Gary Bettman.

This whole process is a bush-league farce.

I agree .. Both should be fired for this nonsense ..

They could have started in September with yesterdays offer .. If the league dropped linkange and the NHL a Hard Cap .. then take a few weeks to find the middle and we might even have had a near full season ..

Bettman and his there is not time to negotiate .. They haven't even really negotiated until yesterday to get to common ground ..

I am betting that Goodenow either counters or says ** Bettman ..

[BuppY]

make it 45.. sounds good!!

[p.l.f.]

i mean if the nhlpa gave another offer around 46 million shouldnt the league look at this?

[Mess]

Originally Posted by p.l.f.

i mean if the nhlpa gave another offer around 46 million shouldnt the league look at this?

Last proposal might be important in an IMPASSE ruling ... So while Bettman says no FINAL OFFER .. Goodenow should send NHL one anyway ..

Then if Bettman cancels the season over a few million the blood is on his hands .. he is trying to leave the final bullet in Goodenow gun to put the season out of its misery .

[p.l.f.]

sure
and bettman would look awfully bad to cancel the season if the difference was a mere 5 million
with the state of the way things are financially and everything

[It Kills Me]

46 mill would be fair compremise. NHL at 40 and PA at 52, 12 diff make it 6 and we're done.

[Mike1]

The players are not going to accept this deal. The NHL's 42.5 offer isn't high enough. The NHL should have went to 45 or 46 instead.

[Kardi]

i have a feeling goodnow will say make it 45 mil for salarys and 3 mill for benefits and lets call it a deal

[It Kills Me]

And whats wrong with Goodenow asking for a little more? They bent alot for what they offered.