Like I said, if these rumours hold true about what was said to the NHLPA about the cap going down (which has yet to be confirmed by the NHLPA), than it is in CONTRADICTION to what Daly has already informed the GM's of. Which is that the cap won't be going up OR down if the PA doesn't use their inflator.
No. it's
not
Once. again.
The NHLPA + the GMs are told by Bettman & Daly what the Cap estimates to be with HHF and with the Escrow. There wasn't a lot of HHF, the Canadian Dollar is stupidly low (that's a removal of 40% give or take). Which means - it's estimated to have a slight increase OR be flat. They also have to have the guesstimate amount of what it is
if the cap drops.
Daly informed the GM's that the cap would remain FLAT.
Anything to the contrary about what may or may not have been stated to the NHLPA is speculation.
Again.
no. it. is. not
When it comes to HHF - the NHLPA
needs to know those numbers. And they work with the League in that regard. they also
need to know what the cap numbers project to be so they can make an informed decision to increase the escrow inflator or not. Where on earth you think what may/may not be stated to the PA is speculation - is honestly beyond me. Generally speaking even when the cap goes high - the PA often increases the escrow so ensure that UFAs get paid (and everyone gets a tiny bump up) because generally speaking - the more money the cap is - the more GMs want to spend. Which is a benefit to the PA.
Why it is a concern now - (and it's been a concern for three years now) is that escrow fees are getting way out of hand. but what the PA does is go "Well, we raised it for you, you raise it for us." This is stated constantly by ALL the former players. (Biron, Ferraro, Noodles/O'Dog, Johnson etc). it's also the reason why it goes up EVERY year (except for one).
Its also petty childishness.
"Well, I already said I won't be lowering the cap, but if they players don't help us out of their pockets, now we'll lower the cap so you GM's can point your finger at them."
One more time.
The League gains
nothing by lowering the cap. So it's not petty childishness. It's strictly what the league brings in. Are you honestly thinking that Daly/NHL are going to be "well if you don't raise it, we'll drop it." What's the gain? Like - honestly. what does the NHL gain in doing that, other than a headache? Answer: nothing.
the Cap is dictated by the revenue brought in.
the league doesn't just make up a number and decide to lower it raise it at will, they take in all the factors that impact the revenue/HHF, and obtain that number. Thinking that the League is using this to toy with the NHLPA when they gain 100 percent, absolutely nothing - is silly. Thinking that the League uses this to pit the GMs vs. NHLPA (when the GMs don't gain anything, and don't influence the PA vote) is silly.
these are the facts.
HHF impacts cap.
CDN dollar impacts cap.
HHF is low.
CDN dollar is low
Beancounters come up with the cap with the escrow, and without the escrow, and the projected "fall" (please note, the number 'Fell" last year even with the escrow elevator).
Daly announces this to GMs + PA reps.
PA reps tell members.
Members decide to deploy escrow.
escrow is or is not deployed.
Everything else - is speculation and fantasy, including thinking that the League benefits from a lower cap or a GM vs. PA dispute over "threats" over factual information.
) then they will have to make adjustments.
