- TSN: A tentative agreement has been reached. Some features of the deal:
– The players’ share of hockey-related revenue will drop from 57 percent to a 50-50 split for all 10 years.
– The league coming off their demand for a $60 million cap in Year 2, meeting the NHLPA’s request to have it at $64.3 million – which was the upper limit from last year’s cap. The salary floor in Year 2 will be $44 million.
– The upper limit on the salary cap in the first year is $60 million, but teams can spend up to $70.2 million. The cap floor will be $44 million.
– The 10-year deal also has an opt-out clause that kicks in after eight years.
– The salary variance on contracts from year to year cannot vary more than 35 per cent and the final year cannot vary more than 50 per cent of the highest year.
– A player contract term limit for free agents will be seven years and eight years for a team signing its own player.
– The draft lottery selection process will change with all 14 teams fully eligible for the first overall pick. The weighting system for each team may remain, but four-spot move restriction will be eliminated.
– Supplemental discipline for players in on-ice incidents will go through NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan first, followed by an appeal process that would go through Bettman. For suspensions of six or more games, a neutral third party will decide if necessary.
– Revenue sharing among teams will spread to $200 million. Additionally, an NHLPA-initiated growth fund of $60 million is included.
– The NHL had hoped to change opening of free agency to July 10, but the players stood firm and it remains July 1 in the new agreement. But with a later ending to the season, free agency for this summer will start at a later date.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: It’s probable that the NHL’s Board of Governors could meet on Tuesday in New York to vote on the deal.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: A 50 game schedule would start on January 15th. A 48 game schedule would start on January 19th.
- Mike Harrington via twitter: A 48 game schedule: 7 games vs. teams in division (28), 2 vs. other 10 in conference (20). A 50 game schedule: 5 vs. teams in division (20), 3 vs. other 10 teams in conference (30). No games vs. West in either scenario.
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: The compliance buyouts can be used over the next 2 summers only, with the option to use both buyouts at the same time. Brian Lawton via twitter: There is still no agreement for the right to buyout injured players like Chris Pronger or Mattias Ohlund.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Free agency will remain on July 1st. The NHL had wanted to move it back to July 10th, but players held firm on 1st.
- John Shannon via twitter: There has been no agreement on the Olympics or World Cup. A joint player and league committee will deal with international events.
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: Kypreos was told that Bettman was under intense pressure from major sponsors to get a deal done.
- John Shannon via twitter: The Coyotes are on the verge of being sold to the Jamison Group.