NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman couldn't understand during the Stanley Cup Finals why there was such pessimism by many in the hockey media that next season would start on time.
Well, this is why.
According to RDS Insider Renaud Lavoie's Twitter account, the NHL made its initial proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement to the NHLPA in Toronto today:
NHL proposal to players: 1-reduce players hockey related revenues to 46% from 57 %. 2-10 seasons in NHL before being UFA.
3-contracts limites to 5 years 4-no more salary arbitration. 5- entry-level contract 5 years instead of 3.
To Clarify the initial proposal:
1. Right now it's 57-43 in favor of the players. Owners want it to be 54-46 in favor of the owners
2. In the last CBA negotiations during the 2004-05 season elimination, the NHL agreed to accelerating unrestricted free agency from 10 years to age 27 (or 7 years).
3. There are currently no contract limits, which Wild fans learned last week when Zach Parise and Ryan Suter were given 13-year deals by Minnesota.