The NHL and NHLPA reached a new bargaining agreement this morning, ending the lockout. 133 days since the lockout started, and they're back.
I can't say I'm as excited as people think.
I've been a hockey fan since I was 6 years old. I love the game. I've also been a Washington Capitals fans since that time. The previous lockout hurt, but this one really stung. Hockey and the NHL were just starting to become popular again in the United States. People I work with who have no interest in hockey would talk about it. They knew my obsession. However, with this current work stoppage there wasn't much to talk about. I kept getting questions of "when is a deal going to be reached" and "why can't they figure it out". I had no answers to the questions.
After reading the terms of the new CBA, I am not impressed with the "mulligan clause". It basically allows teams to buy out two contracts with no penalty, does not sit well with me. That basically means teams that made a mistake can dump a dead contract.
The seven year max contract is fine with me. That should've been part of the last CBA. Some of the contracts have gotten out of hand. Signing a guy for 14 years knowing very well he won't play 14 years is ridiculous. At least there is a second part of that that sets a minimum and maximum amount for each salary year is good as well.
I don't get the draft lottery either - use the NFL system. If you're the worst team, you get the #1 pick, next worst #2, up to the Stanley Cup Champions picking last. I never understood why there was a lottery anyway. But with the new system, a team could miss the playoffs by a point and end up with the #1 pick. I don't agree with that at all.
I'm glad the NHL will be back, but I've made a decision. I won't buy any tickets for one year. I'm sticking it to the owners and players for creating this mess. I'm pissed off. The two sides could have worked this out a long time ago, and they failed. So I'm going to let them know how I feel by not being in attendance. I'll watch games on TV and listen on the radio, but I won't be attending.
I can't say I'm as excited as people think.
I've been a hockey fan since I was 6 years old. I love the game. I've also been a Washington Capitals fans since that time. The previous lockout hurt, but this one really stung. Hockey and the NHL were just starting to become popular again in the United States. People I work with who have no interest in hockey would talk about it. They knew my obsession. However, with this current work stoppage there wasn't much to talk about. I kept getting questions of "when is a deal going to be reached" and "why can't they figure it out". I had no answers to the questions.
After reading the terms of the new CBA, I am not impressed with the "mulligan clause". It basically allows teams to buy out two contracts with no penalty, does not sit well with me. That basically means teams that made a mistake can dump a dead contract.
The seven year max contract is fine with me. That should've been part of the last CBA. Some of the contracts have gotten out of hand. Signing a guy for 14 years knowing very well he won't play 14 years is ridiculous. At least there is a second part of that that sets a minimum and maximum amount for each salary year is good as well.
I don't get the draft lottery either - use the NFL system. If you're the worst team, you get the #1 pick, next worst #2, up to the Stanley Cup Champions picking last. I never understood why there was a lottery anyway. But with the new system, a team could miss the playoffs by a point and end up with the #1 pick. I don't agree with that at all.
I'm glad the NHL will be back, but I've made a decision. I won't buy any tickets for one year. I'm sticking it to the owners and players for creating this mess. I'm pissed off. The two sides could have worked this out a long time ago, and they failed. So I'm going to let them know how I feel by not being in attendance. I'll watch games on TV and listen on the radio, but I won't be attending.
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