Let's start with the premise that the owners and players need to work
together in order to attract their client base (the fans). In the spirit
of togetherness and equal partnership, (something a lot of collective
bargaining agreements in industries around the world are sorely lacking)
agree to split the HRR down the middle, 50-50.
Limit contract lengths to 5 years for free agents in an effort to curtail ridiculous front-loaded contracts. Provide an allowance for teams that develop their stars to keep them at least until they reach the UFA stage, rather than letting them leave for “greener” pastures after only a couple of seasons.
Drop the requirement for a hard salary floor, BUT say that any teams that drop below it will not be eligible for revenue sharing. My hope is that for certain teams, this will have the effect of lowering their team salary to a minimum level (aka. budgeting.) If they still can't turn a profit after that, it should be fairly clear to the owners of said teams that the team(s) need(s) to either relocate or disband, as they are in a financial quagmire that they are unlikely to get out of by staying the course. (I hate that phrase.)
At the salary ceiling threshold, impose a (minimum) dollar-for-dollar tax. Put that money into a fund for player development in the AHL, ECHL, CHL, NCAA - and minor and junior leagues. I know it's hard for middle-class families to pay for all the costs of hockey, so why can't the NHL give back to its fans in this way?
Limit contract lengths to 5 years for free agents in an effort to curtail ridiculous front-loaded contracts. Provide an allowance for teams that develop their stars to keep them at least until they reach the UFA stage, rather than letting them leave for “greener” pastures after only a couple of seasons.
Drop the requirement for a hard salary floor, BUT say that any teams that drop below it will not be eligible for revenue sharing. My hope is that for certain teams, this will have the effect of lowering their team salary to a minimum level (aka. budgeting.) If they still can't turn a profit after that, it should be fairly clear to the owners of said teams that the team(s) need(s) to either relocate or disband, as they are in a financial quagmire that they are unlikely to get out of by staying the course. (I hate that phrase.)
At the salary ceiling threshold, impose a (minimum) dollar-for-dollar tax. Put that money into a fund for player development in the AHL, ECHL, CHL, NCAA - and minor and junior leagues. I know it's hard for middle-class families to pay for all the costs of hockey, so why can't the NHL give back to its fans in this way?
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