Lockout III: So close, and yet so far (Moderated: see post #295)

[Freudian]

Originally Posted by Ernie

Actually, yearly salaries for the stars will likely go up as they maximize their short term earnings, squeezing everyone else:

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2...max-contracts/

That's simply not true. That's based on the assumption that the best way to build a competitive team is to focus on stars while ignoring depth. That's not how winners are built. After the last lockout, it's been all about depth.

If Rangers sign Brad Richards to a massive contract and release their good depth players, smart teams will snap up those depth players and beat the Rangers.

[madhi19]

Originally Posted by KINGS17

This is exactly right. The superstars will be able to command a very high cap hit. The question for the GM and player (if he cares about winning) will be is that the right approach to take in building a team.

Fehr knows this. The elimination of cap circumventing contracts will mean star players that are not superstars will make less money.

The Superstars are the headliner they are pretty much the only thing that put butts in the seats. Just ask Dana White or Don King what the difference between GSP, Ali and some jobbers that nobody know on the card. Nobody never paid the big bucks to see Ron Tugnutt but they sure did to see Roy. I wonder how wise it is to shortchange these guys? In the long run it likely the kind of stuff that could change the NHL status from best Hockey league in the world to second or third.

[Sydor25]

Originally Posted by Ernie

Actually, yearly salaries for the stars will likely go up as they maximize their short term earnings, squeezing everyone else:



http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2...max-contracts/

Doesn't matter how many people jump on the Fehr bandwagon, this is still a red herring. No GM is going to sign a player to a max cap hit contract and no player is going to ask for one. The 5 year term will just squeeze more money from the superstars and move it to the "middle class". Just like the cap system has been for the past 7 years. This is why endorsement money is paid outside the players share of HRR.

A free market system just widens the gap between the top and the bottom. A free market hurts the middle much more than a cap system.

This fight is still about the top 5% of the NHLPA, but Fehr needs to keep everyone else in line so he has to create fear in the NHLPA "middle class".

[van4stan44]

Originally Posted by stuffradio

Why is Don Fehr wasting everyone's time talking about his life story when he should be trying to accept a deal. What a waste of time this "update on the lockout" is.

He was invited to speak for the CAW.. This is not a NHLPA function, don't like it don't watch it!

[Blackhawkswincup]

Thread closed ,, New one coming in minute