RODIER'S RAMBLINGS

  In last week’s column, I introduced the concept of decertifying the NHLPA as the sole bargaining agent of the Players, and why it is worth considering after a thorough independent report is obtained.   In my view, unless the Players are willing to strike for two years (which is half the average Players’ career), it would be naïve  to believe any promises made to the Players’ that their financial situation will improve in future collective bargaining negotiations.   Without drastic measures, Gary’s triple hard cap is here to stay, and it will tighten.  Admittedly, it is a big step for Players to take.....they may very well prefer to continue taking their chances with another round of collective bargaining.  Maybe the results will be different and their financial situation will improve.   As I explained in my previous column, the Players can vote, by a 50% margin, to decertify the NHLPA as the sole bargaining agent for the Players, at any time during the three month window prior

“For nearly two decades, the Players have protected the owners’ income with escrow, including throughout this pandemic crisis, even as owners’ equity continues to grow exponentially. It is time to fix the escrow.”   Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers     “A. escrow and B. escrow” Jonathan Toews told the CBC, when asked the biggest issues in the coming (2019 CBA) negotiations.   No changes to escrow were made.   Introduction It is clear that the Players hate the hard salary cap/escrow system, but the NHLPA has not been able to deliver any changes to the system since 2006 when it was forced on the Players, despite numerous opportunities to do so.   In fact, in 2012 the Players were locked out by the Owners for half a season and had their salaries cut a further 12%!! From previous blogs, we have also learned that that:   since the Escrow Balance owed by the Players at the end of the 25/26 season will still be in excess of $600 million, the NHL will likely lock out the Player

Introduction There is no doubt that Players arguing they should be paid more irritates the fans. However, closer analysis shows that NHL Players grew up dedicated to one goal, worked toward it and sacrificed for many years. They outperformed their peers to get an opportunity as adults for a potentially lucrative, but very short, career.   They are the best hockey players in the world.   This does not mean they are entitled to a certain salary, but they should be entitled to a fair system for determining that salary.   The current system is not fair at all….it is rigged against the Players.   Under Gary’s triple hard cap collective bargaining agreement (the "CBA"), the Players have no practical response to the Owners demanding a bigger and bigger share of the revenue pie. This will only get worse for the Players unless they abandon the counterproductive construct of unions and the collective bargaining process.   As we have seen, HRR is only a tiny portion of the financial

  In my previous blogs we have now seen how in the next few seasons: Players’ Compensation will be squeezed hard in contract negotiations during the rest of the current CBA, Many Players will lose their roster spots or be squeezed out of the League entirely and replaced by younger, cheaper Players……the John Klinberg example,  Now let’s see how the Owners have been doing financially since 2012 when the current CBA was signed.   The Owners’ profits are not only derived from the 50/50 split of HRR with the Players.   The Owners have many more profit sources In fact, if one looks at the big picture, the Owners’ 50% share of HRR is relatively insignificant. The Owners’ make their really big money from the rapid increase of franchise values, the tax shelter benefits of franchise ownership, and the profits from the Owners’ ancillary businesses which includes (but is not limited to) real estate development around the arena and profits derived from managing arena operations, not one penny o