Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Have We Been Here Before?

11/30/2020 at 2:17pm EST

from Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star,

There have been no serious negotiations between NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players Association executive director Donald Fehr for more than a week.

The last time they talked, the league basically asked to reopen the just-signed extension to the collective bargaining agreement by asking for $300 million more in concessions from the players in order to play some kind of season in 2021.

Nothing since.

U.S. Thanksgiving might have had something to do with it, but this is right in the playbook from the 2012-13 season....

But while Bettman is using a similar strategy, he does not have the same cards. The deck was loaded in his favour back then. The owners were in line. He needed just eight to side with him to keep pounding away at the players for a better deal. Financial hawks like Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs were happy to oblige.

Now it’s the hawks who are least happy. Bettman kept the owners out of the talks with Fehr over the summer that led to the completion of the season and this memorandum of understanding that – on the face of it – guarantees a season in which the players will be paid 72 per cent of what they’re owed.

Bettman sprung the MOU on the board of governors, who unanimously endorsed it. It’s believed some voted merely on Bettman’s recommendation. Now, having subsequently read the MOU after it passed, some are unhappy with it.

more

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]