UPDATED
There has finally been significant movement in negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA that may lead to traction toward hopefully ending the lockout.
In Toronto today, the NHL made a long-term proposal that lands the split in revenues to the 50-50 we all knew was the league's intent all along. The league has made clear its intent is to preserve an 82-game season that would begin Nov. 2. "We very much want to preserve a full 82-game season, and in that light we made a proposal," Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "It is our best shot at preserving an 82-game regular season and playoffs. We're focused on getting the season started on Nov. 2. That's what this offer was about." That would allow a weeklong training camp beginning Oct. 26, meaning the CBA would need to get done by Oct. 25. Please go to the bottom of the blog for a transcript from Bettman: Obviously the devil is in the details, but here are some things that have been reported by media on the scene: 1. NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr said the proposal is "at least six years" and that the negotiations today have broken up because the union wants to completely review, digest and understand the NHL's offer. "Gary indicated to me and I assume he indicated to you that they would like to get a full 82-game season in," Fehr said. "We, of course, share that view and would like to get a full 82-game season in. And, so, what our hope is that after we review this that there will be a feeling on the players' side that this is a proposal from which we can negotiate and try to reach a conclusion. But, we are not in a position to make any comments about it beyond that at this point." 2. The NHLPA has called for a 4 p.m. CT conference call of the Executive Board and negotiating committee. 3. According to Sportsnet's John Shannon (@jsportsnet), who used to work for the NHL and is very plugged in, free agency would be 28 years old or eight years of service (currently 27 and 7, and down from NHL's July 13 offer of 10 years. Contract length maximums would be five years (this, the players will want to negotiate, I'm thinking). Arbitration would still exist (league proposed to abolish arb in July). Entry-level contracts would be three years (currently three and down from five in league's July proposal). Revenue sharing would be near $200 million. 4. According to Bettman, there would be no salary rollback. That is obviously big because the players want owners to honor what they agreed to pay. What I'm told by sources is there will still be escrow because you never know what the hockey related revenue will be for upcoming seasons. In terms of a rollback, players made $1.883 billion last year. They made 57% of the revenue. The 50-50 split would be for this upcoming season. Players go down to 50%, they basically lose about 12 percent of their salary. That difference would be deferred and reimbursed to the players over the course of their contract. So to be simple, if you lose $1 million and you're on a 10-year deal, you'd get $100,000 a year reimbursement for the next 10 years. 5. If you're an NHL player sent to the minors on a one-way contract and make over a certain amount of money, that contract in the minors would be charged against the NHL cap. It's the Wade Redden rule, essentially, not allowing a team like the Rangers to hide $6 million in the minors and have it taken off their cap. Again, we need to see more details, and all this will still need to be negotiated, I promise. We have to see what the union says after it crunches the numbers, but my guess is there will be a lot of negotiation sessions the next week (which is a good thing.) 6. Nov. 2 start dates means the Wild's first nine games must be rescheduled by adding games in an extended season in April and by adding one game every five weeks. But with the schedule standing pat, the Wild would currently begin Nov. 3 with a six-game road trip in Tampa Bay. As the schedule currently stands, 15 of the Wild's first 19 games would be on the road. Small price to pay though for a hockey season. I'll be interested to see what happens here. For instance, I've confirmed Mikko Koivu's deal is done with Turku. I'm told it took awhile because he needed to get his shoulder insured. That's been rectified and he was scheduled to leave for Finland Friday. Does that change? So, where do we stand? 1. Positive movement. 2. Traction to at least negotiate and continue speaking. 3. Most fans I talk to say 50-50 is fair. Most players I've talked to have told me 50-50 is where they think is fair, too. We again need to see all the details in this CBA proposal, but initially, the side of public opinion will surely move in the league's favor. The pressure is on the union right now to review and respond and continue to move this process in a direction where it leads to a 2012-13 NHL season. Stay tuned. I'll be updating the blog as more details emerge. FROM BETTMAN
Good afternoon, everyone. Bill Daly and I just spent the last hour
with Don and Steve Fehr, and I would like to briefly report to you on what
was discussed. As I think all of you know we have been extremely
disappointed, and that's an understatement, that we've been unable to get
these negotiations on the essential elements moving forward. So, today, we
