Freep mail or ping me if you want on or off the Hockey Ping List.
Posted on 12/13/2004 4:10:56 PM PST by Hat-Trick
Looks like a hard-line stance from the owners, and don't expect the NHLPA to agree to a cap or "cost certainty" agreement, nor to give more than the 24% salary rollback they've already offered.
Some of the current day greats like Mario and Steve Yzerman have probably played their last NHL or professional game.
Freep mail or ping me if you want on or off the Hockey Ping List.
Most of those guys are making the same money in Europe and Russia (with no exhorbinant taxes)
Please put me on your ping list. Thanks!
First rule of holes seems to have finally dawned on the owners.
Unfortunately, Major League Baseball is about 5 years away from the same fate.
NBA - they are too busy shooting themselves in the foot.
NFL - learned its lesson the hard way, has somewhat of a partnership with the owners, and can survive since there is a cap in place and long-term, ever increasing revenue potential.
From a forum posting (who knows how accurate it is, thought the email address is in the Czech Republic): "The best top players in Czech (not NHLers, they have different contracts) have around 350.000 USD per season, very good players have around 200.000 USD per season. Average players salaries are around 50 - 100.000 USD per season."
Average NHL salaries are someplace around 1.3 million US.
I read on Sporting News on my PDA that the eventual solution is going to be a $30 or $40 million annual soft cap (if they go over, they pay a "tax" of .75-1.75/$).
The real negotiation is supposedly over the amount of that tax, and the starting point.
add me
I'm waiting for the demise of the nba myself.
BTW - How about a proposal by the NHLPA to dump "What's a puck?" Bettman.....
On the plus side, I still have the Wolves. They're currently 15-8 and playing well.
Bettman can "puck off." He went about marketing the game in a horrible way.
Hockey marketing has worked well in Columbus, even with a really weak team (expept Rick Nash). Good seats were $80+ per game plus the cost of a seat license. Along with $6.00 cup of beer and $20.00 parking, it is one expensive night. Not much room to increase revenue here!
That's ok...we're only missing the most boring part of the season, anyway. Now, if they could strike a deal right towards the end of the season, and resume play right near the start of the playoffs, that would be ideal. Then, we won't miss the best part of the season ... :)
You doubting me?
How dare you...I have the article on my computer at home....I will post it.
remember, those Europeans pay cash...and NHL salaried are taxed near 50% (plus union dues)
Weak, but exciting nonetheless. All the ingredients are here. Nash, Zherdev, Jody Shelley as the pugilist. Plus, Nationwide is by far the best arena in the league. And we've MADE money since franchise inception.
Isn't that where the OSU Buckeyes (CCHA) play home games?
BTW - Dan - do you have a college puck team that you cheer for (U of M, MSU, NMU, WMU, Lake State, Ferris State)? I'm in Omaha and have season tickets to UNO so we get to see alot of CCHA games. I believe U of M comes to town in February.
I'll just that I miss Ron Mason as coach(although he's a good AD). The program tumbled a bit after he left.
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