No reason to fear an NHL lockout, Fehr says

[cw]

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/07/11/nhl-nhlpa-back-to-bargaining-in-mid-winter-early-spring-nhlpa-leader/
Do you think some of these long player contracts might become a point of contention?

"Well, the first answer is that I don't know. The second answer is I would hope not. The notion that we know better than the individuals who are negotiating the contracts is a pretty big stretch for me."
...
Should hockey fans be nervous?

"I hope not. If there's a reason to be nervous, they'll know soon enough. I wouldn't be nervous before there's a reason to be."

When they get down to it, I'm sure the words will get tougher and maybe even flirt with it but I think Fehr's words will hold true.

They need to make some adjustments to their deal - not blow it up entirely.

[Dappleganger]

I find it interesting that the league seemingly put a beat down on the PA in the last cba negotiations but what the league tried to accomplish did not occur. If anything it's gotten worse with the latest round of free agency and cap circumventing contracts. Should be interesting.

[cw]

I find it interesting that the league seemingly put a beat down on the PA in the last cba negotiations but what the league tried to accomplish did not occur. If anything it's gotten worse with the latest round of free agency and cap circumventing contracts. Should be interesting.

It really did occur for the better to a very large extent.

Before the CBA, the players were taking 75% of the revenues. After, the players are locked in at 56%.

Overall, it doesn't matter a lot if the league is full of lousy contracts or full of the best contracts you could possibly imagine because no matter what, the players only get 56% of the revenue pie - not a dime less nor a dime more. The owners wanted cost certainty and they got it.

The players feared it would stifle the growth of the game and with it, their salaries but the cap has gone from $39 mil to $64 mil. So their worst fears didn't come to pass as the owners said they would not.

It was never promised that the new CBA would solve ALL the individual teams financial problems - it would just help. And with revenue sharing and the cap, it has.

For the most part, this CBA delivered as advertised by Bettman. They still have some issues with small market teams but those issues are not nearly as bad as they would have faced without this new CBA. And in the CBA to come, they will probably adjust further to deal with that problem.

[Nik]

So there's nothing to fear but Fehr itself?

[The Red Polar Bear]

So there's nothing to fear but Fehr itself?

Your puns are bad and you should feel bad!

[lamajama]

No reason to fear it as Fehr still gets paid no matter what... :o

[Tigger]

With an iron fist in a Velveeta glove we are sheltered under the pun...

[Green Leaf]

So there's nothing to fear but Fehr itself?

lol

[oldrugbyguy]

So there's nothing to fear but Fehr itself?

lol

LOL x 2

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

With an iron fist in a Velveeta glove we are sheltered under the pun...

You guys are not just funny, but relatively well-informed historically.

[Corn Flake]

Fehr reminds me of Garagmel.