NHL Talks Not Helping

I’m going to perfectly clear on my position. I do not believe the 2004-2005 NHL season will be saved.

Philosophical differences still remain between the players and the owners. The main difference is the salary cap. The players believe that a 24 percent role back on salaries is the answer, and the owners see it only as a short term fix. They’ve tried to find a middle ground the past two days, but aren’t making much progress.

There were early reports out of Winnipeg that said a proposed six year deal was on the table. The first three years would be under the players’ system, and if that didn’t work, the final three years would have a salary cap added to it. This seemed like the start of a settlement. Unfortunately, that’s as far as it got.

Ted Saskin, senior director of the NHLPA, said that there are still many differences between the two sides. He also stated that there are enough areas of disagreement that won’t allow much progress to be made.

The positive side to this entire fiasco is that there is finally some talking going on. For weeks, and in some instances months, Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow made no attempts to talk. Both are egomaniacs and neither have much negotiation skill. These talks have been viewed more positive without them, and some productivity was accomplished.

The talks haven’t done enough to save the season and time is running out. The window of opportunity to get in a 30-40 game season is quickly closing. With no more meetings schedule, chances of salvaging a season don’t look good.

None of the four major sports has ever lost a season and the NHL cannot afford to be the first ones to accomplish this. They already struggle with TV ratings and revenue is only $2 billion per year. It could also be viewed as criminal not to hand out the Stanley Cup this season. It is by far the most prestigious trophy is all of sports and to see it sit in storage would be a tragedy.