During a lengthy NHLPA conference call on Wednesday afternoon, players were notified that the league made two requests for amendments to the latest CBA. The first, as reported Tuesday night, was to ask for an additional deferment on 2020-21 salaries (players have already agreed to 10 per cent).

The second was to consider raising the “escrow caps” in the final three seasons of the newly negotiated deal.

Escrow is capped at 20 per cent for next season, with that number dropping to six per cent in years four, five and six of the CBA. I’m not certain of the exact wording, but multiple sources indicated a request to consider in the eight or nine per cent range. (Escrow is used to make sure the league and the players split revenue 50/50.)

The idea was not received with great enthusiasm, to put it mildly. Several players indicated via text that this is a “non-starter," and they don’t want to consider it. They are under the impression the league is looking for an additional $300 million in savings.

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added 9:16am, Friedman just updated his blog,

Sometimes, you need a good night’s sleep to give you perspective. So, with that, some thoughts on yesterday:

It was not a good day.

If anyone was hoping major details about the 2020-21 season would be settled by the weekend — yeah, that’s not happening. My personal belief is that if the season is to begin Jan. 1, a deal needs to be reached by the end of the month. Hopefully sooner, but if some things have to be rushed, they’ll be rushed.

Wednesday’s events knocked things off course, and the players will need a few days to regroup. They are angry and feel betrayed.

I have a clearer picture now as more details emerged overnight. In the new CBA ratified last July, there were agreements on deferred money for 2020-21 and escrow caps during each season of the agreement.

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