Correct me if I’m wrong (please don’t; this is a figure of speech, not an invitation), but I do not believe Bettman wants to go four-for-four (after 1994, 2004, 2012) when it comes to lockouts following the expiration of labor agreements. The NHL can be expected to give the players a way out of striking by proposing a narrowed band within the 50-50 split of hockey related revenue that would reduce both the cap and escrow.
This, of course, would be a terrible solution that would reduce choices for pending free agents, increase the number of buyouts and arbitration walkaways, and eviscerate the ability of powerful teams to remain intact. But the league will push it with the expected backing of many agents, who attempted to influence to union into taking this path in 2006 before activists shut it down.
-Larry Brooks of the New York Post where you can read more on this topic plus other hockey notes.
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